So, the DC Avon Walk is this weekend. The Lombardi/Capital Breast Cancer Center team, more than 40 members strong, and with a strong cheerleading corps, has been working towards this weekend for months. The team, amazingly, has raised more than $86,000 to date, placing it third in the regional standings as of this writing. Contrast this with 2008, when there were five walkers who raised about $9,000, with a handful of cheerers. What a difference four years makes!
The name of that difference is Jeanne Mandelblatt. By day, Jeanne is Lombardi’s associate director for population sciences, and one of world’s foremost authorities in cancer control and the problems of aging and cancer. Many of you will remember the debate generated by the U.S. Mammography Task Force’s publication showing that on average, women 50 and older may need less frequent mammography screening than previously thought. Jeanne was the driving force behind that work, and continues to break new ground that will ultimately create an evidence basis for cancer screening. Her work really makes a difference.
So, how cool is it when someone with such a distinguished record of accomplishment can also take on the leadership of the Lombardi/CBCC Avon Walk team, providing her teammates with inexhaustible energy, inspiration, organization and affection? No wonder the team is one of the Avon Walk’s true success stories!
Anybody who has ever been in a meeting with her knows that Jeanne is quite the knitter – and each scarf, sweater or pair of gloves is sold to raise money for the team. So, her commitment does not start and end with training for the walk.
Check out some comments from members of the team:
“I don’t know how you make the time, Jeanne, and where you find the energy to help us stay the path with fundraising and getting to know each other, organizing training walks and everything else you do to show us your caring and deep commitment to our team and the cause.”
“Jeanne, I wanted you to know that YOU ARE AN AMAZING TEAM LEADER and YOU THE MAGIC that keeps our team strong! As we get ready for this weekend’s journey, we all want you to know how much you mean to us and how much we appreciate YOUR LEADERSHIP!”
We all would do well to walk 39 miles – as the team is doing this weekend – in her shoes. On Sunday, during the closing ceremonies, I will accept a generous check from the Avon Foundation for Women to support the operations of the CBCC, and I will do it with a keen sense of appreciation for Jeanne’s leadership.
Thank you, Jeanne, for all you do.