#3 TOP PERFORMING HOMESMART AGENT BY VOLUME 2014
L I V E B E T T E R CHARMING ELEGANCE ON EXETER CALL FOR SHOWING. CONTACT CHERI REEVES 602.850.7368 - cHERI@REEVESGROUP.com LISTED BELOW APPRAISAL! 5 4 4 5 E . E X E T E R B LV D. 5 BEDROOMS 7 BATHROOMS 3 CAR GARAGE LARGE KITCHEN CUSTOM BUILT POOL Experience Arcadia’s exquisite Old English style country estate. The dappled sunlit brick walkway invites you into the home that features: FORMAL DINING DOUBLE MASTER BATH GUEST HOUSE POOL HOUSE & MORE ReMax Renaissance Realty Page 21 July 2015 By Alessandra Dagirmanjian Local organization Don’t be a Chump! Check for a Lump! Educates and informs women about breast cancer and also provides free wig consultations for women undergoing chemotherapy. Founded in 2011 by Holly Rose under the Live and Give Foundation, Don’t be a Chump has given over 400 wigs to local women, 105 of which were donated this year alone. Rose has single- handedly run the organization full time since it was founded after her inspiring triumph over breast cancer. Rose discovered an irregular lump six years ago after noticing a friend’s breast self-exam reminder on Facebook and was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer at the age of 39. Rose endured two surgeries, four months of chemotherapy and two months of radiation, but found that her community was there to support her and her family the entire time. “I was really lucky that this awesome community just wrapped their arms around me and my family. They brought us meals for weeks at a time. I didn’t even know who the people were but at 6 o’clock the doorbell would ring and there was a four-course meal every single night. They really helped us get through what was the most horrendous thing in my life,” said Rose. Rose was so thankful for the kindness and support of her community that she decided she wanted to give back by helping to prevent other women and their families from going through the same experience. She started by posting breast self-exam reminders on Facebook and sharing her story with other women. Rose quickly realized that many women had never done a breast self-exam, nor had they received a mammogram in the past three years. “Most women are so unaware of the facts. Less than 10 percent of breast cancer is hereditary and it is increasing in women 45 and younger by 3 percent every single year. So we’re really trying to target those young women, like me, who think they aren’t at risk at all.” Rose began giving free breast health presentations to women’s leagues, churches and schools to provide women with facts and the best ways to lower their risk. She later implemented her Wig Out program, providing women with up to $250 to spend on wigs. For Rose, losing her hair was one of the worst side effects of undergoing chemotherapy and she felt fortunate to be able to buy a wig that fit her well. “That’s why we do our program instead of a wig bank. You can walk into a normal wig shop and every woman can say, ‘I want to look like me!’” Don’t be a Chump has grown significantly since it was founded. Now some of the leading specialty doctors, sponsors and philanthropists support Don’t be a Chump in its mission to increase breast cancer awareness in the Valley. The organization has also started a free mammogram service for women, as well as follow-up diagnostic testing including ultrasound and a biopsy for about 30 women – care which can cost up to $5,000. Rose is currently Don’t be a Chump’s only employee, but she has big plans for the organization’s future, including hired help. “In the next year we would love to get an office and take this out of my house,” Rose said. “We want to have a space that women who need a mammogram can walk into.” You can support Don’t be a Chump on October 3, when Rose, along with The Joy Bus and Singleton Moms, host a 5K Walk/ Run in Steele Indian School Park. To find out more, visit azcancervillage.org. Local nonprofit works to reduce cancer risk Holly Rose From now until the end of the year, the Arcadia News Book Club will donate all money fundraised from the monthly book events to Don’t be a Chump! Check for a Lump!


