I AM

AWAR

E QC

MISSION

The mission of I AM AWARE is to raise the level of awareness in women

under the age of 40; with a particular emphasis on women of color, in order

to promote the importance of early detection, knowledge of symptoms and

risk factors, the importance of healthy breast, treatment options and solid

systems of support.

METHOD

We raise awareness through our PURPOSELY PINK photo project

which features brave, beautiful and bold survivors and supporters who have

been affected by breast cancer in some way, hence being made AWARE. The

photos serve as a reminder for women to be mindful of their bodies and

more importantly their breasts..

While some of the photos are tastefully topless, they goal is that every

participant understands the purpose of being Purposely Pink and they are

invited to express that as they so choose as long as it’s done in good taste.

I AM AWARE ~ The Passion Having an aunt who is a 24 year breast cancer survivor, we were constantly reminded of

the importance of awareness when it came to our breast health. After relocating to

Charlotte in the Winter of 2009, I had a vision for a project that would celebrate the

beauty of women, while serving as reminder that breast cancer is no respecter of age, race,

status, or beauty. I also wanted to stress the importance that 40 is not always the magic

number.

I talked with a photographer friend of mine about the idea, but life took over and duty

called so I answered, placing the concept on the back burner. As I was on a path to

enriching my own life and improving my total health and wellness

following a few surgeries, I came across an article that struck me.

The woman who had written it declared that she had “flunked her mammogram." This article shared her personal story of how her

breasts; once able to nurture and nourish her children whom she

breast fed, and once the object of desire for her husband; had in

fact betrayed her with the ugly and dreadful disease known as

breast cancer.

I AM AWARE ~ The Passion

I shared the idea with a few friends and

asked if they would consider participating.

I was committed to making this project a

reality. The I AM AWARE Project in

conjunction with the Purposely Pink

Photo Project are the result of that vision.

As life would have it, I was visiting with my sorority sister and lifelong

friend in the early summer 2011. She had just returned from Saint Louis

where she spent time with a mutual friend who was on a ventilator and

unable to breathe on her own. A friend who had undergone

chemotherapy, radiation and a mastectomy in the recent years past, only

to have cancer spread to her lungs and lymph nodes. A friend clinging on

in the biggest battle of her lifetime, and a friend who is only in her 40's.

That was the fuel I needed. I talked to my daughter about picking the idea

for the project back up and solicited her

Wanda Sue Richards February 4, 1963 - August 23, 2011

I AM AWARE ~ The People We launched the project site

on August 22, 2011 and lost

Wanda Sue Richards on the

following day. I felt as though

she stayed around long enough

to make SURE I kept my word

and carried out the vision . Late

fall another friend received a

breast cancer diagnoses and in

April of 2012, my sorority sister

and friend, Heidi Farmer -Drew

succumbed to the disease after a

lengthy and often bitter battle.

“I AM AWARE” that there are countless numbers of women who will go unchecked

and whose bodily changes will go unnoticed. “I AM AWARE” that unfortunately,

there will be more diagnoses every single year. “I AM AWARE” that many men still

don’t know that they too, can be diagnosed with breast cancer. “I AM AWARE” that

while this project won’t reach everyone, it will raise the level of AWARENESS in men

and women of all ages, particularly those under 40 and those of color.

They say what you don’t know won’t hurt you, I beg to differ. Many have paid the

ultimate price simply because they were unaware. “I AM AWARE” of the need for

early detection and the importance of healthy breast health. “I AM AWARE” the fight

will continue.

Heidi Farmer-Dew November 25, 1969 - April 20, 2012

I AM AWARE ~ The People

I AM AWARE ~ The Project~ To participate in the project registration is required. Breast Cancer Survivors participate

every year at no cost and breast cancer supporters pay a registration fee of $50.

Registration fee covers:

• 20-min photo shoot

• Professional make up finish

• 5x7 gift boxed finished photo at the Captured for the Cause Preview

• A chance to win gifts/prizes at the preview party

While many of the photos are tastefully topless, that is not required. We simply strive to

make a bold statement with out artful expressions that will aid us in the goal of raising

awareness.

All money collected that exceeds project costs is donated to a charity of choice. In year

one a small donation was made in honor of Wanda Sue Richards memory. Year two

funds went to the Buddy Kemp Cancer Treatment Center. Year three proceeds will also

go to Buddy Kemp as we learned about them last year just weeks before our event.

This year, we are hoping to have a few items for a silent auction with 100% of those

proceeds being donated.

I AM AWARE ~ The Projection~ Year one we had less than 10 participants as the project was offered to friends and

family as a pilot. Year two we had close to 20 participants as past years participants

were encouraged to share with their friends. Year three is shaping up to include that

number of participants combined and hopefully more. We anticipate greater local

participation from both the photo project and the contributor perspective with some

participants expected to travel in from Georgia, Kansas and Kentucky.

Year three will still feature the photo project and will utilize the I AM AWARE QC

Facebook page and other social media as well as print media to market the project and

raise awareness. One new addition we plan on this year is a silent auction with 100% of

those proceeds being donated. In the past our venue has been the BeMe Photography

Studios but they may be relocating so we will have to determine if the space will allow

for this years preview party/showcase. We would also like to determine the feasibility of

a calendar with select images from all three years with project cost being the primary

factor.

We have begun securing secured donations for our door prize drawing/silent action.

Cost will be a determining factor in our decision to proceed with the silent auction.

MESSAGING

Project photos, used both as signature statement pieces and coupled with

meaningful messaging that raises awareness around our key focus areas but

signs, symptoms, myths, facts, risk factors and more, also serve to celebrate

womanhood, honor those who are fighting and pay tribute to those we’ve

lost in the fight

I AM AWARE Breast cancer is the second leading cause

of cancer death in women, exceeded only

by lung cancer. The chance that breast

cancer will be responsible for a woman's

death is about 1 in 36 (about 3%). Death

rates from breast cancer have been

declining since about 1989, with larger

decreases in women younger than 50.

These decreases are believed to be the

result of earlier detection through

screening and increased AWARENESS,

as well as improved treatment. www.cancer.org

“ “

I AM AWARE because

without AWARENESS

there is no DETECTION.

Without DETECTION

there is no PREVENTION.

Going without

PREVENTION is not

ACCEPTABLE.

Be Aware.

~Kaniche C.

“ “

Kaniche wears PINK in honor of her friend; a fighter and a survivor.

Breast exams reveal

about 25% of cases;

mammography

about 35% and 40%

of cases are detected

by a combination of

the two.

~Dr. Edward C. Geehr, MD.

LifeScript

15

“

”

I Am Aware that SELF CHECKS Matter

The two most common risk

factors for breast cancer

are:

• Being female

• Getting older

All women are at risk for

breast cancer. No matter

your age, you should

become familiar with how

your breasts normally look

and feel.

~American Cancer Society

16

“

”

I AM AWARE…

I Wear Pink to honor my mother’s fight and her memory.

What if women

paid as much

attention to

their b east as men do?.

I AM AWARE because I held my mother's petri dish full of blood in my

hands. She was getting her breast drained after her lumpectomy. I wear

pink in honor of my mother, I wear pink because she is a SURVIVOR.

Clarissa S.

“ “

I Am Aware …

“ …That some of the most common risk factors linked to breast cancer are: Gender, Family

History, Obesity, Aging and Not Having Children. Other factors include having drinking,

radiation exposure, high breast density and oral contraceptive use.

www.cancercenter.com

“

In 2011, about

230,480 new

cases of invasive

breast cancer

will be

diagnosed in

women in the

U.S.

~American Cancer Society

21

“

” Shia’s aunt was one of them...

She wears pink in honor of her memory.

I AM AWARE Because… At this time there are more than 2.9 million breast cancer

survivors in the United States. (This includes women still

being treated and those who have completed treatment.)

~www.cancer.org

“

“ “

MARKETING

I AM

AWAR

E

I Am Aware ~ Save the Date

I Am Aware ~ Year 2 Promo (Men)

MOMENTUM

No vision cam come to life without someone To believe

in it. A special thanks to all who have contributed their

time, talent and thoughtfulness to the first two years of

this project and who continue with to lend their support as

we approach year three. Be it great or small, your efforts

make a tremendous difference and help to make the the I

AM AWARE QC project a success. A very special thanks

to Laurin Wilson from Images of Power(Charlotte, NC)

for connecting the first dot for me in the process.

Past Project Supporters and Sponsors Photography/Space: BeME Photography Studio(Charlotte, NC)

Make Up: Primed and Polished Poses(Charlotte, NC)

Preview Party: Southern Cake Queen(Charlotte,NC) and Yolanda Yvette(Boston, MA)

Gifts and Prizes: Social Butterfly Boutique(Columbia, SC), Soul Sisters Designs(Wichita, KS),

Chewy Goowey Gourmet Apples(Detroit, MI), Soulfully Purposed/Soul Purpose(Charlotte, NC),

Refuge and Restoration Massage Therapy(Charlotte, NC), Fringe Fashion Accessories(Charlotte,

NC), TNTBS Media(Charlotte, NC).

Monetary Donations: Individual Patrons

WithThanks

I’m blessed to know and salute these survivors!

For more info on participating in this project as a

survivor or supporter, to make a monetary

contribution, to be sponsor a participant, to

volunteer or to donate an item for our gift give

away or to volunteer contact

Melanie “MJ” Anderson

mjanderson1908@gmail.com [Email]

I AM AWARE…

I AM AWARE QC

Awareness is Key