Every year, countless people fight tirelessly to end breast cancer. The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) is proud to honor these extraordinary individuals and organizations with its Shining Light Awards. This year’s ceremony will be hosted at the Waterfall on August 7 from 5:30-7:30 pm and promises to be an unforgettable evening of celebration, inspiration, and hope.
Who are the Shining Lights?
The 2024 honorees are a shining example of dedication, expertise, and compassion in the fight against breast cancer:
- Homestead Gardens of Smyrna: This company has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the DBCC’s mission. Through sponsorships, volunteer efforts, and community outreach initiatives, they play a vital role in supporting breast cancer education, prevention, and survivorship programs.
“Homestead Gardens has been invaluable to our Nurture with Nature program by providing a venue for survivors to make flower arrangements, pollinator porch pots, staghorn fern boards, and many more. Homestead Gardens also hosts our Breast Cancer Survivor Photography Art Gallery in October and is currently displaying our survivor pollinator artwork. They also offer a “Ladies’ Night Out” event that promotes breast cancer awareness.”
-Lois Wilkinson, DBCC Nurture with Nature Program Manager
“Last year Homestead Gardens Smyrna, DE hosted and held our annual Monster Mile Walk for a Cause. Being part of the event committee, I had the honor and privilege to work closely with Homestead Gardens. Each team member is an absolute pleasure to work with. From the staff behind the scenes, you do not see in stores, to the ones that greet you as you enter the front door, everyone makes you feel welcome, they make you feel like family. Their dedication to making sure the event was a success did not go unnoticed. They went above and beyond organizing, decorating, and planning countless hours. I am so very thankful for Homestead Gardens, Mark, Ashley and the team for everything that they do. I look forward to what the future holds, and this year’s Monster Mile Walk for a Cause.”
-Stephanie Cumella, DBCC Young Survivors in Action Program Manager & Monster Mile Event Coordinator
- Caitlin Dunham, MD: Dr. Dunham is a passionate obstetrician-gynecologist whose expertise and dedication have saved countless lives. Her leadership and tenacious spirit for women’s health inspire hope and progress in the fight against breast cancer.
“The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) is beyond thankful for the dedication of Dr. Caitilin Dunham to DBCC’s mission. During 2023-2024 Dr. Dunham shared her time and skills during several Saturday events resulting in 96 women receiving a clinical breast exam who may have otherwise never been screened. Dr. Dunham is directly making an impact in Delaware to help close the gap in healthcare and reach audiences who need organizations like DBCC the most!”
-Sue Murray, DBCC Chief Operations Officer
- Ana Vargas, MSN-FNP-BC, MHA, BSN: A highly respected nurse practitioner, Ana Vargas has dedicated her career to providing exceptional care to breast cancer patients. Her unwavering compassion and commitment to patient advocacy make her a true champion in the fight against the disease.
“Ana truly cares for her patients and goes above and beyond to make sure they are receiving the services they need. She takes the time to understand her patients and breaks down medical terminology for them to understand. Ana makes referrals to other agencies directly for domestic violence, human trafficking, social services, etc. Without Ana’s help, DBCC wouldn’t be able to create such a big impact in our Latinx and Haitian communities. It’s always a great pleasure working with Ana to serve our community’s needs.”
-Adriana Viveros-Sosa, DBCC Women’s Health Screening Program Manager
Join the Fight: Celebrate and Make a Difference
The Shining Light Awards ceremony is more than just a celebration; it’s an opportunity to make a difference. This event would not be possible without generous sponsors. The choice to sponsor this event not only puts your business in front of a great audience both online and at the ceremony but also helps facilitate breast health education and breast cancer survivor programs for those who need it most. Each sponsorship level signifies one of DBCC’s focuses for its constituents: hope, knowledge, support, empowerment, and awareness. Anyone interested in sponsoring should note that the deadline for full sponsorship benefits is July 22, 2024. Help honor these incredible awardees while also furthering the mission of an outstanding organization, the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.
Here’s what makes this event so special:
- Cocktail hour and networking opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about ending breast cancer.
- Beautiful indoor/outdoor space: Enjoy a unique and memorable setting for this important event.
- Delicious food and open bar: Relax and unwind while supporting a worthy cause.
Representatives of L&W Insurance, a 2023 Shining Light Award winner, pictured with their award at last year’s event.
(Captured by Kimberly Renee Photography)
One of the co-chairs for this event, Elizabeth Gula, shared, “I’m so honored to be able to host such an amazing event recognizing the achievements of those that work hard every day to end breast cancer. Over 30 years ago, I lost my aunt to breast cancer and if she had been diagnosed today, it would have been treatable, so I understand how important it is to advance the science, treatments and care for this horrific disease.”
Allison Keevil, also an event co-chair, remarked, “My mom is a breast cancer survivor due to early detection, as it is a privilege and honor to be here to honor those who play a large part in making that happen. It’s a blessing I cherish every day.”
Don’t miss this chance to be a part of something extraordinary!
Register, sponsor, and learn more about the Shining Light Awards ceremony at https://give.debreastcancer.org/ge/sla2024. Together, we can continue to shine a light on hope and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.
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