16 minute read
EVERYDAY JOY
LIVE HERE. GIVE HERE. Since 2001, the Joy to Life Foundation’s annual Walk of Life has been a bright spot in spring, bringing together thousands of Foundation supporters, breast cancer survivors and their loved ones to celebrate, remember and honor those who’ve fought breast cancer as well as those who’ve lost their breast cancer battles; to increase breast cancer awareness; and to raise funds to ensure the Foundation continues its vital work.
But last year, there was no Walk of Life. In 2020, so many businesses and non-profits were affected greatly by COVID-19, and the Foundation was no exception. We were unable to hold the WOL, our biggest fundraiser, and now in 2021, we are again at a crossroads. We are working hard to “reimagine” the Walk of Life.
But, while we work, breast screenings MUST go on for the thousands of women (and some men) across Alabama who need them. This past year, we funded more than 2,000 breast screenings for women under the age of 40.
Our major contracts with the Department of Public Health’s Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (women 40 to 49) continue. We were the first, and we are the largest private provider
join us virtually in 2021
for this lifesaving state program. This partnership has been a strong one, and the Joy to Life Foundation looks forward to continuing to work together to reach all uninsured women in Alabama who need these breast screenings.
But the Foundation cannot continue this lifesaving program without your help. When you choose to support the Joy to Life Foundation, please know that your donations stay local and only help people in the state of Alabama.
Our pink breast cancer car tag has been the key to our expansion. It must remain strong for us to continue to fight for the women of Alabama every single day.
The future of the Joy to Life Foundation depends on the sale of our pink car tag, as well as continued financial help from our loyal supporters, sponsors and corporate partners.
We hope you’ll remember the Foundation when you’re making philanthropic choices. And find more details about how and why to get involved in our “WOL Reimagined!" at joytolife.org For our 20th anniversary, the Walk of Life has been re-imagined to celebrate the amazing passion and talents of you, our incredible participants! We know that times remain uncertain, and that many of you are still - and will be for the foreseeable future - hesitant to gather in larger groups.
But the pandemic can’t stop you and other Walk of Life participants. This year, we encourage you to participate in the Walk of Life YOUR WAY!
NEW YEAR, NEW WALK OF LIFE
Walk or run a 5k
Make masks
Ride your bike
Challenge friends to a virtual dance contest
Bake cupcakes
Host a wine tasting Have a motorcycle parade
Complete a random act of kindness
Or whatever great idea you have!
YOU decide how you’ll participate this year. Be safe, have fun and feel amazing by helping more women access breast cancer screenings. Visit joytolife.org to learn more and sign up.
RE-COMMITTING TO OUR ROOTS In late 2012, when the JTL Foundation decided to start a magazine, it had these goals in mind: to raise awareness of how a healthy lifestyle can help prevent breast cancer and other health issues and provide information and advice on how to pursue such a lifestyle; to spread positive stories about survivors of breast and other cancers in our area; and to promote the life-saving work of the Foundation and recognize the many supporters (businesses and individuals) who make that work happen.
Through the years, the magazine that grew out of that initial decision has had several different names. Just recently, we shortened Joy to Life magazine to simply JOY, and we feel that this one single word very accurately and powerfully conveys what we want the magazine to represent and bring to its readers.
Over seven years of publication, the inside of the magazine has remained relatively unchanged. But in the face of upheaval and uncertainty that 2020 threw at us all, just like so many of you, we at JOY magazine stopped to reassess. Were we truly living up to what we said we wanted to be way back in 2012? While we’ve created and presented a veritable mountain of engaging, informative content focused on how to live a more sustainable, balanced and healthy life, we came to the conclusion that we could do more and do better. We can do more to spotlight local folks fighting cancer and other health issues, either as patients or as those physically unaffected themselves, but still doing battle as doctors, nurses, researchers, caregivers and more. We can do better to highlight everything the Foundation is and does.
Great Ways to find us:
PODCASTS. JOY MAGAZINE. SOCIAL MEDIA. Get news and information in a variety of formats. Find them all at joytolife.org.
So, in 2021 we will. In this new year, full of new possibilities and opportunities, JOY is making a fresh start. We’re not changing too much. You’ll still find coverage of the topics you’ve come to love: articles outlining our state’s vast outdoor recreation options; Overviews of yummy, nutritious ingredients with recipes that include them; Inspiring personal profiles; Tips for achieving both physical and mental wellbeing; and so much more.
But we’re making a hard turn back to our roots too, ensuring that the Foundation’s values and mission are at the core of everything we do. We’re proud to be pink and to heavily promote everything it represents! As we move forward, JOY will more clearly be a “Foundationfirst” publication released in two print issues (out in February and September). Plus, we’re greatly expanding our digital presence, too, giving you a special Summer digital issue, out in July, and multiple articles each month will be published online at joytolife.org.
We’re excited about this next step in our journey and hope you’ll join us!
LISTEN UP!
Tune into the Joy to Life Foundation podcast, Everything Joy to Life.
Each episode features insightful medical information, inspiring stories from breast cancer survivors as well as interviews that provide tips and ideas that will help you live your healthiest, best life.
The podcast began last October, and new episodes are added each month. You’ll laugh; you may cry; but whatever emotions it brings, you’ll certainly enjoy it.
Find Everything Joy to Life wherever you listen to podcasts and at joytolife.org.
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER AT JOYTOLIFE.ORG TO GET JOY TO LIFE EVENTS, GOOD NEWS AND EVEN RECIPES DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR EMAIL INBOX.
Watch joytolife.org for new Joy to Life gear coming soon.
JTL STEPS UP, EXPANDS FUNDING Although the Foundation has provided funding for breast cancer screenings for many years in all of Alabama’s 67 counties for women and men who cannot afford them, we are now proud that we can take over the northern counties of Alabama.
Previously, the Susan G. Komen Foundation funded these counties, but in September 2020 that organization closed its office in Birmingham, creating a need that we are proud to fill.
In direct response to the Komen closing and the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program’s (ABCCEDP) subsequent need for increased funding in North Alabama, the Foundation is expanding its efforts and providing funds statewide for breast cancer screenings through ABCCEDP.
“We are very appreciative of our longstanding partnership with the Joy to Life Foundation and to its co-founders Joy and Richard Blondheim,” said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris. “Early detection of breast cancer through regular screening saves lives. The Foundation’s commitment to helping underserved women receive cancer screenings has saved more than 125 lives over the past 17 years. By expanding its coverage statewide, they will help us ensure as many women as possible receive life-saving cancer screenings.” The ABCCEDP provides free mammograms, Pap/HPV testing, and if needed, diagnostic testing to women who have no insurance, have an income at or below 250 percent of the poverty level and are age 40-64. If there is a diagnosis of cancer, most women are eligible to receive treatment through the Alabama Medicaid Agency.
Each year hundreds of medically underserved women are diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer through the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (ABCCEDP), and nearly 3,000 women have been diagnosed since this program began in 1996.
According to the Blondheims, the Joy to Life Foundation feels the need and
responsibility to support ABCCEDP in filling this financial gap, so that mammograms and other breast cancer screenings can continue to be provided without interruption in the northern counties for the medically underserved.
“As the Joy to Life Foundation has done for 20 years, we will continue to work tirelessly every single day to provide the lifesaving screenings that every woman in Alabama needs and deserves,” stated Joy Blondheim. In addition to providing funds to ABCCEDP, the Foundation also assists women under age 40 who are at high risk or have symptoms of breast cancers. “We are honored and excited to introduce the Joy to Life Foundation to these counties,” Joy said.
MOVING AHEAD WITH HOPE
We asked Joy to Life Foundation co-founder Joy Blondheim to share some thoughts on where the Foundation is headed in 2021. Grab your sunglasses cause the future forecast is looking sunny!
“I know the Joy to Life Foundation has a strong and purposeful future in Alabama. We are so humbled and
at the same time so thrilled to step forward and assist the Alabama
Department of Public Health as they provide mammograms and other health screenings to the medically underserved in the northern counties of Alabama in
response to the lack of Susan G. Komen funds being allocated to the area. We are honored to introduce
the mission of the Joy to Life Foundation to North Alabama and
to serve the women and men in the
area who need our help. One of the core beliefs of our Foundation is:
‘Live here. Give here.’ That means, a donor should take comfort in
knowing their contributions stay in their community. We are confident that when the residents of North
Alabama learn that 100 percent of our pink car tag sales are used to help people in their counties – now all 67 Alabama counties
– we will expand our car tag sales and in turn be able to help even more people in our state. It is the household awareness that we
are so appreciative of in Central and South Alabama that I know
will grow in the northern parts of Alabama."
THE FUTURE IS A BRIGHT SHADE OF PINK IN ALABAMA FOR THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION!
550 Construction Raven Acoff Curtis Acton Dimple Ahuja Frank Albright Sandra Alexandaer ALFA Angela Allen Susan Allen Tina Allen Tiffani Anderson Willie J. Anderson Debora Ansley Daniel Arner Vince Arnold Owen Aronov Teri Aronov Wanda Ashe June Ayers Loretta Bach Janice Badore Monica Baker Bank of America Carol Banks Elizabeth Barath James Barber Nancy Baron Jody Barr Carl Barranco Jessi Barrett Denise Bashaw Michael Bassett Mary Battaglia Tabetha Bell Vanessa Bell Tessa Belser Cynthia Bennett Marlene Beringer Barbara Berritt Deloris & Tony Bibbs Laura Biggio Eva Bishop Diane Blondheim Herb Blondheim Joy Blondheim Richard Blondheim Stephanie Blondheim Janet Bolton Margaret Bonham Melissa Bortnem Beth Boyar Antwanette Boykin Aretha Bracy Reba Brannan Lynn Bright Angelia Brooks Anita Brown Constance Brown Nora Brown Raelean Brown Bruce Pearl Family Foundation LaShunda Bullock Yolanda Burgoyne Erica Butler-Todd PA Butts Jill Byrd Willie Caldwell Cynthia Calvin Corinne Capilouto Cargill Cargill Inc. Ginny Carlisle Sheila Carnes Alonzo Carr Marie Carr Stacye Carter Cleve Carter III Gerard Chevallier Hardenia Childrey Sarah Chung Sally Cichon City of Montgomery Cindy Clark Marcus Clarke Barbara Clein George Clements Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Gail Cohn Molisa Coleman Venita Colon Venita Colon Crystal Cook Shareefah Cook Carolyn Correia Joyce Credic Vivian Crosby Elizabeth Crump Saundra Cunningham Nancy Dailey Cynthia Dale Kisha Daniel Alyssa Daniels Mary Daniels Roy Daniels Lisa Dark Tosha Darnell Horace Davis Karla Davis Melterick Davis Michelle Davis Rena Davis John Deal Niketa Dean Rochell Dear Melissa Deaton Susan Decker-Bunce Hobbie Dees Thaylee Dickerson Jenny Dodson Robert Dodson Catherine Donald Anonymous Donor Elizabeth Dorman Tonya & Albert Dorn Harriette Dorosin Sonia Douglas Annette Douglass Tonjia Drawbond
MANY, MANY THANKS
FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN 2020
FROM PANDEMIC MASKS TO TRASHCANS. FROM DONATED WALK OF LIFE REGISTRATIONS TO CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS — EVERY DOLLAR GOES TO SAVE LIVES.
Jennifer Druhan Carolyn Dubose Darius Duncan Susan Dunham JoDell Dunlap Linda Dupree Eastern Oaks Baptist Church Carrie Eberly Tracy Edge Debra Ehrlich Shaundalyn Elliott Jonathan Elrod Celia Espinosa Patricia Evans Harvey Fast Jane Feldman Renina Fields Patrice Fikes Zenas Fishoe Brenda and Alice Fleeton Carl Fortson Pamela Fossett Cynthia Foster Kay Lani Fowler Sue Godwin Fox Leon Frazier Debra Freisleben Sherri French Vibeke Froyen Future Fuel International Ricket Gaines June Gales Lori Galluzzi Deborah Gantt Gerald Gantt Cheryl Gardner Linda Garrett Patrcia Gartner Sara Geddie Bonnie Getz Barbara Gilewicz Cassandra Gipson Scott Girlie Elizabeth Givens Elizabeth Glasgow Audrey Glenn Cheryl Glover Shirley Glover Maxine Goldner Michael Goldner Steve Golsan James Gooden Josie Gorden Alice Grayson Sharhonda Green Robin Greenberg Jason Greeson Jerry Griffith Laura Grogan Nancy Grosscup Cheydall Grubbs Jasjeet Gulati Manmohan Gulati Aranita Gunn Renu Gurshaney Kay Haden Leah Hagan Brittany Hagemann Vivien Hagler Jessie Haigler Elisabeth Hailes Jamie Haling Melanie Hall Tammie Hall-Welch Jeannie Hamilton Michelle Hamilton Linda Hammond Rick Hammond Tina Hammonds Jack Hanchrow Barbara Handmacher Sharon Harden Monroe Hare Betsey Harris James Harris Sheniqua Harris Chalita Hartman Thornton Kathleen Harvey Bernadette Harville Gale Harwell George Hatchcock Gladys Hatcher Jeanne Hatfield Cathy Hawthorne Mia Haynes David Haywood Marvin Head Amy Hebron Cheryl Henderson Sandra Henley Daniel Hernandez Kristi Hilliard Sudha Hingorani Angel Hollins Diane Holtam Catherine Hook Patricia Hope Warner Hornsby Cheryl House Penelope Howard Rose Howell Williams Howell Joyce Hudson Mary Virginia Huffaker Karen Hughes Megan Hughes Dorothy Hyde Wendy Ingram Geraldine Ivey J.K. Lowder Family Foundation Christina Jackson Jackson Hospital Onocology Staff Sapna Jain Deborah James Sheldon Jeames Sheldon Jeames Bettie Jenkins Darlene Jernigan Deborah Jinks Linda Jogy Ashley Johnson Belinda Johnson Morgan Johnson Yolande Johnson Carole Jones Dorothy Jones Jennifer Jones Lotonya Jordan Sharon Joyce Laura Justice Dennise Kagey Philip Kelliher Kinedyne LLC Libby Kinnucan Elaine Kirkpatrick Barbara Kite Louise Knight Andrea Knox Douglas Kopren Vrinda Kosgi Irene Kramer Susan Kreher Helene Krupnick Amy Labovitz David Labovitz Edward Lamber Sabrina Lane
IN 2020, OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS KEPT US STRONG.
Jodi Lapinsky Arthur Leadingham Kathi Lee Sarah Lee Chachanda Lewis Rob Light Lilly Baptist Church Arnea Linden Cheryl Lobb Eugene Lockley Eve Loeb Bonnie London Cheryl London Jack London Ayanna Long Chrissy Long Rebekah Lords Ashley Lough Marguerite Lowe Meagan Lowery Tom Lyne John Mabry Macon East Academy Aaron Madden Herbert Maloney Howard Mandell Malorie Mann Lori Marine Jane Marks Jennifer Martin Thomas Mask June Mason Wanda McCall Charesa McClain Maryanna McClendon Tessa McCord Hayden & Brandt McDonald Eruc McKinley Felicia McKinzy Michelle McMeans Linda McMillin Douglas Medcalf Julianna Menefee Nancy Merner Thomas Miles Esther Miller Margaret Miller Nancy Miller-Borg Leslie Mills MontgomeryCounty Youth Facility Anne Moore Judith Moore Robert Moorer Selena Moorer Melissa Morgan Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC Jimmy Morris Lisa Morrison Kanava Morton Princess Motley Hyundai Motors Debra Moye Mt. Moab Missionary Baptist Church Valerie Neloms Carrie Nelson Melody Nelson Tanisha Nettles Jessica Norwood Tangie Oliver Marsha Orange Meaghan Orozco Patrick Osborne Theresa Osborne Julia Ovesen Kevin Ovesen Trish Ovesen Bridget Palmore Angelia Parker Jemini Patel Stuart Patton Nichole Paulk Corey Pearce Louise Pearson Jessalyn Peck Willie Penn Frederick Perkins Tonya Perkins Nancy Perry Perry Hill United Methodist Calie Pettiway Teresa Pittman Mary Plemons PNC Foundartion Brenda Poellnitz Demetria Pollard Desiree Potts Wayne Powe Nicole Powell Marie Price QMT Associates, Inc. Malia Ragan Sudha Raghuram Lori Rall Courtney Rambo Valtina Rankins Deepali Rastogi Priya Rastogi Tommy Ratliff Kathy Ray Martha Ray Aletha Reynolds Rheem Sales Company, Inc. Emma Richardson Joyce Ridgeway Melanie Ridgeway Angelia Rigsby Jan Rigsby Page Willetta Rivers Richard Robbins Jenna Roberts Jody Roberts Linda Roberts Laura Robitaille Veronica Rochelle Joyce Rogers Venessa Rogers
thank you wind creek casino
Nicole Roney Rita Rosenthal Kelley Rouze Martin Russell Regina Russell Missy Sallas Olivia Salon Malissa Sanderson Jolynn Sanford Elizabeth Sankey Quinton Sassnet Jennifer Schaap Maxine Schiffman Adam Schloss Vivian Scott Robert Segall Jackie Segrest Tara Severance Margaret Shanahan Carol Shaw Katie Sheffield Kristine Shirah Kimberly Shumate Virginia Sichanthavong Carolyn & Linsay Simmions Ahondus Simmons Roly Singh Alice Smith B. Smith Edith Smith Kathryn Smith Michael Smith Patricia Smith Rosa Smith Rosi Smith Stacy Smith Tamika Smith Michael Snusz Tom Somerville Jr. Nathan Soutar Savannah Spain Betsy Stallworth Marcus Standberry Christine Stanfield Mary Jo Starcher Lakechia Starks Karen Steinhauer Janice Stewards and Family Evelyn Stiner Heather Stojak Leslie Stone Shirley Streeter Jim Stroud Tammi Stroud Jenny Stubbs April Sullivan Emelyn Sullivan Mary Sundet Lorraine Sutter Annie Sutton Sandra Sutton William Sutton Delando Taylor Vivian Taylor John Terry Amy Thigpen Cissi Thompson Michael Thompson Sarah Thornton Steve Thornton Marie Thurman Better Tomorrows Town of Autaugaville Robert Traphan Kim Travier Jennifer Trott Debbie Trotter Barbara Truelove Charles Turner Bridgett Tyner-Smith UPS Store Belinda Urquhart Mary Urquhart-Hollis Daniel Vargas Shanta Varma Jimmie Varnado Elodia Varner MisChele Vickers Komal Vig Bobbie Vinson Vicky Walker Maxine Jones Walley Stacy Burnett Walters Felandria Ware Kay Warfield Renee Warren Andrea Watson Freddie Watson Frances Watts Jennifer Webster Laurie Jean Weil Sheri Weiner Barbara Wells Clementine White Walter White Bevly Whitlock Pat Wilensky Alice Williams Ann Williams Gwendolyn Williams LaSonya Williams Loretta Williams Monique Williams Ortinaye Williams Beverly Williford Felicia Windham Vernetta Womack Harper Wood Sherry Woodall Walt Woodfin Sylvia Worley Nancy Wright Ursula Wright Wilma Wright Assata Wynn Birdie Young Melanie Zack Yolonda Zink
+ MANY MORE
AN ADDITIONAL AND BIG THANKS TO ALL OUR PINK CAR TAG SUPPORTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
