“Every year, my heart is deeply touched by what To Celebrate Life does for breast cancer patients,” said New Board President, Kristen Bennett. “I am proud to lead this amazing organization that provides so much to those facing breast cancer, from the models in the Stepping Out fundraiser to the recipients of our grants.”
To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Bennett as President, Tom Giles and Devereaux Smith as new members of their Board of Directors. They will support the board in overseeing the organization’s operations and fundraising efforts benefiting their Bay Area Grants Program. www.tocelebratelife.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation Announces
New Board President & 2 Members
Kentfield, CA (February, 2017) — To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Bennett as President, Tom Giles and Devereaux Smith as new members of their Board of Directors. They will support the board in overseeing the organization’s operations and fundraising efforts benefiting their Bay Area Grants Program. www.tocelebratelife.org
Kristen Bennett was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994 and again in 2005. She became a fashion show model for To Celebrate Life’s Stepping Out gala in 1999, and since then has been involved in the organization in a variety of roles: model committee co-chair, event co- chair, escort lead and board member.
“Every year, my heart is deeply touched by what To Celebrate Life does for breast cancer patients. I am proud to lead this amazing organization that provides so much to those facing breast cancer, from the models in Stepping Out to recipients of our grants.”
Kristen comes to the Foundation with over 30 years of executive administrative experience and brings with her organizational skills and insight.
Kristen lives in Mill Valley where she enjoys gardening, cooking, golf and spending time with family and friends.
Tom Giles brings an organizational development perspective to the board, leveraging a 30 years human resources career in his leadership of To Celebrate Life’s Board Development program.
“I had the opportunity to facilitate a board retreat for To Celebrate Life, and was impressed with the commitment and strategic focus of the team, in sustaining and growing financial resources for breast cancer patient support services. It is an honor and privilege to serve this wonderful organization, and help support its growth and development.
Tom is the Founder and Managing Director of TGC, a consulting company focused on leadership development and team effectiveness. He lives in Alameda, and when he’s not fulfilling his board responsibilities, works with clients globally in support of their professional development and achievement. Tom has his Bachelor’s degree from UCLA, and his Masters of Public Administration from New York University.
Devereaux Smith, an experienced fundraising and communications professional, has worked with for-profit and not-for-profit institutions for more than 30 years. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, a 26-year-old public health clinic serving low income women with cancer, and a To Celebrate Life grantee.
Devereaux was treated for breast cancer in 1996. As a young mother, she learned the value of being a strong advocate for one’s own health care. Her experience pushed her to work on breast cancer related causes throughout the next 20 years.
Devereaux modeled in Stepping Out in 2015. She was delighted to join such a group of inspiring women and witnessed the embodiment of the To Celebrate Life vision: No one should face breast cancer alone. As a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, she will serve as the co-chair of the Development Committee and guide efforts to implement the organization’s strategic plan.
“I am honored to join this group of selfless volunteers. I feel there is a two-tiered gift with To Celebrate Life. The first impact is when their dedicated volunteers create a healing, supportive community of women and men who model each year in Stepping Out. Second, the Foundation funds organizations all over the Bay Area who rely on these grants to serve people struggling with breast cancer. To Celebrate Life is a quiet hero for thousands of people every year.”
Devereaux lives in the Napa Valley, has two grown children, one husband and one amazing dog!
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To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation is a volunteer-based organization whose mission is to support Bay Area people facing breast cancer by funding direct and emergency services. Since its inception in 1996, the Foundation has raised and distributed over $4.55 million to Bay Area nonprofits that help underserved people who are dealing with breast cancer or who have breast health concerns. For more information, call (415) 455-5882 or visit www.tocelebratelife.org
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CONTACT:
Hamilton Ink PR
415-381-8198
photos by Patty Spinks
photos by Patty Spinks
Download the report (pdf)
With so many non profits asking for your help you may be wondering, why support To Celebrate Life? The theme of this annual report says it best: your dollars + our stewardship = proven results.
As we look towards our 17th year, having returned to an all-volunteer status, we can ensure that your generosity and support of To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation is the right decision. Your dollars, along with funds raised from our 2011 events, enable carefully screened nonprofit organizations to provide direct services to women and men living with breast cancer.
Each year we receive grant requests for hundreds of thousands of dollars. As you’ll see in the + our stewardship section of this report, the Foundation’s Grants Committee thoroughly evaluates each applicant. And, grantees are closely monitored, including annual site visits, so you can be certain that your contributions are helping people with real needs (see stories on pages 2-3). A description of our 2011 grantees is featured on pages 4-5, = proven results.
Of course, this is only possible with the support of our loyal sponsors and donors, our dedicated volunteers and the tremendous talent pool that provides thousands of hours of valuable in-kind service.
Thank you, all of you, for partnering with us to make a difference in the lives of those living with breast cancer. No one should face breast cancer alone. With your help, no one will.
Download the Report (pdf)
Last September, we marked the start of our 15th Anniversary year! What began as a garden party fashion show has blossomed into a vibrant, enduring community whose members have enriched the lives of thousands of women and men coping with breast health issues. At the end of 2010, the Foundation had contributed more than $3.1 million dollars to dozens of nonprofit organizations throughout the Bay Area.
The theme of this year’s annual report is “The Gift of Giving.” We are profoundly grateful to each of you who have contributed to the Foundation’s continuing advancement – through your gifts of time, talent and resources to support breast health and recovery.
The following video was created in 2007 to share the story of To Celebrate Life.
