Utah Family Focus of New National Breast Cancer Campaign

When Kellie May returned to work at North West Middle School last fall, she hoped the routine familiarity of her seventh grade health class would bring an end to the chaotic summer she endured.

After 13 years as an educator and as a mother of two sons with special needs, May has seen her fair share of disorder. But after classes let out last spring, 35-year-old May began an aggressive chemotherapy regiment and underwent several surgeries to treat breast cancer.

Her return to the classroom was a momentous personal victory, and one that has helped a community of other breast cancer survivors find strength to endure similar diagnoses. On the eve of her last chemotherapy treatment, May shared her story on www.ithinkpink.org, an online community started by a local candle company to bring women like May together.

Within days, May’s story was read by dozens of women and after hearing of her personal and family challenges, Lindon-based For Every Body decided to help. The company presented her with $10,000 to offset the family’s mounting medical bills, as well as items and services from dozens of other local Utah businesses eager to assist in any way they could.

This spring, For Every Body will expand the campaign it started last year. This time around, May and her husband Clint, and their sons Porter, 8, and Parker, 1, will be featured on a new website, and as part of a national advertising campaign and local fundraising auction aimed to bring an increased level of breast cancer awareness to Utah communities.

“We want women to be educated, not scared,” May said. “I discovered a lump during a self-exam and it saved my life. If my story could potentially help another woman, I will tell it all day long.”

On May 8, For Every Body will launch a redesigned web page, blog and advertising campaign as a kick-off to its national search for stories. In addition to the stories of women facing breast cancer diagnoses today, the new community will also feature stories of survivors, and of families who have lost a loved one to the disease.

“After reading through the stories last fall, we were reminded there are many faces to breast cancer,” said Becky Lunceford Anderson, founder of For Every Body. “Some women fight and survive; others leave behind families who will forever honor their name.”

On Oct.1, For Every Body will honor Utah women involved in all aspects of breast cancer, from nurses who work in mammogram clinics, to young women, like the students in May’s health class, who need education about doing self exams. Kevin Sharp, a renowned country singer and cancer survivor, will headline the company’s charity event and auction and help raise funds for the campaign.

“We are thrilled to be associated with such a fabulous cause,” May said. “Sharing my own story has been therapeutic. Reading about other women has brought healing.”

Utah women and families affected by breast cancer are invited to share their stories through For Every Body’s new online community at http://www.ithinkpink.org/.