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Breast Cancer Action, Awareness, and Advocacy is my personal community platform. Through my modeling career I have been blessed with many great opportunities to speak and promote awareness for many great organizations and charities. Several years ago a great friend of mine was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I witnessed first-hand what she endured. Today she is in remission with two beautiful children. I am honored to say I have raised over $100,000 for Breast Cancer through Fashion Shows, Walks/Runs, Race for the Cure, Community Volunteer Events, and Womens Expos, just to name a few. Nearly one-third of women today are not receiving the recommended screening due to lack of access, education or awareness. Along with Susan G. Komen, Treasured Chests, The E.A.R.L.Y. Act (Education and Awareness Require Learning Young), and the Sage Screening Program, I am committed to providing awareness and education to women of all ages on an International Scale.

                                                                                                                                      

Breast Cancer Facts:

  • Leading cause of cancer among women;second leading cause of death(behind lung cancer).
     
  • One women is diagnosed every 23 seconds.
     
  • More than 207,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed this year; 39,000 will die.
     
  • More than 25 million people have been diagnosed and 10 million could die in the next 25 years without the cures.
     
  • Today there are 2.5 Million Breast Cancer Survivors in the world.
     
  • For every 100 women diagnosed, 1 man will be diagnosed.
     
  • One-third of women today are not receiving the recommended treatment due to lack of access, healthcare, and knowledge.
     
  • 1.3 Million new cases will be diagnosed this year/ 500,000 which will die.
     
  • 90% of women diagnosed have no family history.
     
  • Early detection of Breast Cancer can increase your survival rate by up to 98%.
Risk Factors:
  • Age
  • Weight
  • Diet & Lifestyle
  • Family History
  • Medical Factors
  • Excessive Radiation
The E.A.R.L.Y. Act (Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young) was established in 2010 to:
  • Educate young women under 45 and health care professionals about the precautionary measures for young women.
  • Initiate a public campaign for women under 45
  • Educate health care professionals about risk factors and challenges that young women encounter when diagnosed.
  • Provide grants to credible organizations providing information and assistance to young women.
     
****Early detection can save lives.***
*Early detection does not receive enough emphasis in health care for the young adult population.*
 
Young women diagnosed with breast cancer face unique challenges:

*Body Image: After breast cancer related surgery, young women face the challenge of embracing their new bodies.
*Relationships and Dating: Intimacy issues as well as the increased stress on a relationship.
*Career: Young women are often in the midst of beginning and building up their careers.
*Being diagnosed with breast cancer can interfere with day to day success at work and chance of promotion.
*Fertility: Breast cancer treatment may prevent a young woman from having any children.
*Financial Challenges: Breast cancer can dramatically impact a woman’s financial stability.
*Young women at the beginning of their careers are generally less well off and less likely to be insured.

What Does the Early Act do?
The EARLY Act empowers young women to:
  • LEARN the facts
  • KNOW their bodies.
  • SPEAK up for their health.
  • EMBRACE support.
Precautionary  Measures:
  • Know your risk
  • Get screened
  • Know whats normal for you and contact your health care provider if you notice any changes. 
  • Make healthy lifestyle choices.
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Rachel speaking to men and women about early detection and the precautionary steps to take for Breast Cancer Prevention.
                                                                                                                                         

Rachel's Community Involvement:
 

  • Breast Cancer 3 Day Volunteer (Minneapolis, South Dakota, Los Angeles)
  • American Cancer Society Volunteer
  • Big Brother/Big Sister
  • Inner-City School Mentor
  • Juvenile Diabetes
  • American Heart Association Volunteer
  • Go Red For Women
  • Rupert Kids Organization
  • Treasured Chests Fashion Shows
  • National Spokesperson
  • Give Kids A Smile Volunteer (Nationwide)
  • TV Host
  • Pancreatic Cancer Fundraising Volunteer
  • The Torii Hunter Project-Building stronger characteristics in kids.
  • Open Your Heart Foundation-Alleviating Minnesotas Hunger & Homeless.
  • Diva Noir Fashion Show- Fighting AIDS in Minnesota.
  • Fashion Fight Fashion Show for AIDS Awareness.
  • Speaks to women and men of all ages about the precautionary measures of breast cancer as well as actions to take if diagnosed. 
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Rachel reading to young kids, Ava and Raymond.
                                                                                                                                         
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