›› Noelle, Ambassador-at-Large and Inspiration

On February 28, 2006, at 4:45 p.m., when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, the first image that ran through my mind was the face of my beautiful, then 3-year old daughter, Noelle.  My daughter is the most important thing to me in the world.  I could not bear to think that I might die and leave her without a mother.  Months later, when I made my promise to God that I would do everything in my power to make a difference in the world of young women and breast cancer, I also promised to make the world a different place for Noelle, so that when she and her friends grew up, they would not be touched by breast cancer.

I made a promise to be the best that I could be, so that I could be a living example of activism, for our children do as we do, not necessarily as we say.  Little did I know of the impact my advocacy would make on Noelle.

Three years later, one day, as I was putting her to bed, my little six year old sweetheart said, “Mommy, your phone is ringing. I think someone needs you.” “I’ll call them back later,” I said. “No, I’m going to sleep now.  Maybe one of the women needs help,” she said.  The next day, she asked me, “Mommy, what can I do to help?”  I told her she could help by just being herself, being happy and helping me however she wanted to.  “No, I want to have a fundraiser”.  We talked and I thought she forgot about it, until she came to me with paper and pen in hand, making a list for her event.

A few weeks later, with the help of her friends Chelsea and Jenna and their mom, we had our first Cupcake Fundraiser, and raised $600 in three hours!  If a few six, eight and thirteen year olds could  make such a difference in a few hours, imagine the possibilities.

Here’s how you can join Noelle and I in our mission to help young women – before during and after breast cancer:

• Educate.  Talk to your daughters about their breast health.  It can be a relaxed, casual conversation.  Visit our Programs Page to learn more about our PETALS© Program and start creating a young empowered activist today.
  
  
• Empower.  Get ‘em involved!  Starting early is key!  Plan and host your own Cupcake Fundraiser in your Community.  Get everyone you know to make cupcakes, engage local sponsors, advertise your event. You’ll be proud of what your little ones can do.  Imagine the strength and confidence you’ll be giving your little girl by having her be part of a global movement that could someday save her life or that of one of her friends.
  
  
• Celebrate.  Send us pictures of your events and ways you are engaging your daughters in making a difference in the world of young women and breast cancer.  This is something to celebrate! 

If you need some ideas on hosting your Cupcake Fundraiser or would like to share your ideas with us, email us at cupcake@tigerlilyfoundation.org.  Our goal is to raise $150,000 this year through our sale of cupcakes for our Funds for Families Program, which provides financial assistance for young women in treatment for breast cancer.   If you start now, you can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

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Noelle and Mommy at NBC 4 Health Expo

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February 2009

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Noelle Playing the Keyboard and Talking at Fundraiser

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Noelle and Mommy At the Rayburn House Office Building

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June 25, 2009

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Noelle at Tigerlily's DIVA Night Out

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September 9, 2009

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Noelle, Mommy, Grandma and Debbie Wasserman Schultz EARLY Act Congressional Reception on Capitol Hill

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Noelle at Tigerlily Foundation Gala	Noelle, Maimah, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and her children

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Noelle at the White House with Michelle Obama and Jill Biden for Breast Cancer Event