Gina Andrews, mother, breast cancer survivor, advocate, speaker, and entrepreneur. Gina uses her own experience with breast cancer to be a voice for young survivors and bring awareness to women under the age of 40.
Gina was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, when she was 31, six days after delivering her first and only child. She endured a year of extensive treatments and surgery, all while raising her infant son and coming to grips with what had happened to her and her family.
Throughout this ordeal, Andrews discovered there were limited resources for women battling this disease, specifically for those under the age of 40. She found that a lot of women felt overwhelmed at the lack of resources available regionally. This inspired her to create and run the nonprofit organization in 2007, Sacramento Breast Cancer Resource Center, which served as an outlet center for women to receive hope, support, and numerous resources as they battled the disease.
Andrews' reputation and determination to make a difference was paramount in receiving a grant from Susan G. Komen to fund the "Young Awareness Program." Along the way, Andrews became an advocate of inspiration and strength. She has been profiled on local television news segments and newspapers, as well as an invited guest speaker at group functions and events, which brought additional exposure to the resource center and fundraising events that Andrews helped create and coordinate.
A key element she discussed in her television appearances was the importance of early breast cancer detection, especially in women under the age of 40. Andrews has been asked in recent years by local politicians to testify at the California State Capital on behalf of the health care bills concerning breast cancer. In November 2009, Andrews was honored in Atlanta, GA as one of eight national “Pink Power Mom” breast cancer winners.
Currently, Andrews strives to promote early breast cancer detection, bring awareness to young women, and raise funds to donate to charities that provide breast cancer services through her company, SaveRBoobies. Its mission is to create a breast cancer apparel line and accessories to donate proceeds to breast cancer charities and early screening for women.
