Achieve your goals: it all starts with a hope and a dream - Director's Letter

To realize your goals in 2004, start with a hope and a dream. This is essential because your hopes, dreams and goals are the keys to inspiring new accomplishments--and to living a richer life.

I was reminded of this when I met with Evelyn Lauder, founder and chairman of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). When she entered the meeting, the room instantly became energized as she launched into a discussion of the recent advances in breast-cancer research. One of her hopes when she founded the organization 10 years ago was that "one day, our mothers, daughters, sons, husbands and brothers the world over will no longer fear breast cancer because ... we will have achieved prevention and found a cure in our lifetime," Lauder said. "Our medical advisory board tells us this is possible within the next 10 years."

Though we're not there yet, BCRF has made remarkable strides toward finding a cure. Since its inception in 1993, the foundation has raised more than $70 million for breast cancer research. In that first year, $159,000 was awarded to eight clinical investigators. This year, on its 10th anniversary, BCRF gave $14.5 million in grants to 80 researchers who are doing groundbreaking work in areas such as genetics, vaccines, clinical trials, dietary and environmental links, early detection, and breast-cancer incidence in the African-American and Latina communities.

Special emphasis is being placed on: the increased incidence in young women; the finding that exercise during adolescence can delay onset of breast cancer in women who carry the genetic mutations that make them more susceptible; and the psychosocial implications of breast-cancer diagnosis and treatment. The BCRF's continued efforts each day bring us closer to achieving a cure.

Join Shape in recognizing The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and in celebrating its decade of dedication to women's health and well-being. (Visit bcrfcure.org to learn more about its outstanding work.) Evelyn Lauder and her team give us all hope for a cure for breast cancer. May they also inspire you to fulfill your dreams in the coming year.

My best to you,

Barbara Harris, Group Editorial Director

COPYRIGHT 2003 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group