Komen Volunteer Honored as Life Hero

(L to R)   Jamie Ledezma, Amy Perella, Val Skinner, Jennifer Griffin 

(photo by Keith Woods)

SOUTHAMPTON, NY -- Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, National Security Correspondent for Fox News Channel Jennifer Griffin and California attorney Jamie Ledezma were honored as LIFE Heroes at the 12th annual LIFE (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) tournament hosted by LPGA veteran and Golf Channel analyst Val Skinner on Monday, June 27 at Sebonack Golf Club in
Southampton, NY.

Each year, Skinner recognizes and honors LIFE Heroes who have demonstrated courage in the face of breast cancer and/or purpose to fight the disease. “Debbie, Jennifer and Jamie have all shown incredible courage in their respective fights against breast cancer,” said Skinner. “They have used their experiences to create awareness and encourage other women that breast cancer can be beaten.”

LIFE Heroes come from all walks of life and serve as inspiration and a reminder of the
needs of families that face this diagnosis, and how LIFE’s funds are meeting those needs. Skinner, fellow LPGA players and partners will raise $500,000 at the 2011 LIFE event to go toward breast cancer initiatives.

About Jamie Ledezma
On Valentine’s Day 2007, 27-year-old Jamie Ledezma was diagnosed with breast cancer. She courageously fought breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy while 15 weeks pregnant. After six months of chemotherapy, she delivered a healthy baby boy before undergoing four additional rounds and a bilateral mastectomy that left her cancer-free.
 
Ledezma is a staff attorney at the Cancer Legal Resource Center and seizes every opportunity to educate others by sharing her experience as a young breast cancer survivor. She serves as the Public Policy Chair for the California Collaborative of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, on the Board of Directors for the Central Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and as a member on the Board of Directors for Sisterhood of Survivors.


About Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz represents Florida’s 20th Congressional district and also serves as the Democratic Vice Chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. Before joining the U.S. Congress, she was first a representative and later a Senator in the Florida State Legislature. She is a passionate leader committed to improving the quality of life for children, lowering health care costs and protecting Social Security and Medicare among other issues. 

In 2009, Wasserman Schultz revealed that she underwent seven surgeries related to breast cancer in 2008 while fulfilling her responsibilities as a member of the House and maintaining an aggressive campaign schedule. She went public in order to raise awareness and hopefully alert young women specifically of the prevalence of breast cancer. Wasserman Schultz is respected by her colleagues as a fighter with tenacity and passion, and is an inspiration to many.


About Jennifer Griffin
On September 28, 2009, Jennifer Griffin discovered a lump while nursing her new baby, and was soon diagnosed with stage 3 Triple Negative breast cancer. After her diagnosis, she underwent many aggressive treatments that resulted in no evidence of the disease.  She is now determined to encourage others fighting the disease.

Griffin is the National Security Correspondent for Fox News Channel and has been based at the Pentagon covering military and intelligence matters since March 2007. She
frequently reports from Kabul, Afghanistan and has covered events such at Operation
Enduring Freedom and the ongoing Israeli/Palestinian conflict in the Middle East.

About LIFE
LPGA veteran and Golf Channel analyst Val Skinner founded LIFE (LPGA Pros in the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer) after the loss of her friend and fellow LPGA golfer, Heather Farr, who died of breast cancer in 1993 at the age of 28. Since 2000, LIFE has raised nearly $7 million for breast cancer research, awareness and prevention. For more information on the LIFE event or Val Skinner Foundation, visit
www.valskinnerfoundation.org.