WENDY AVNER
BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR AND ADVOCATE

Ms. Avner lost her mother and grandmother a week apart to the disease when she was only 18. At the age of 42, Ms. Avner was diagnosed with breast cancer and ten months later with ovarian cancer. She fought hard and beat the odds, but the entire experience left an indelible mark on her life. After her experience, Ms. Avner left the corporate world to set up Hope’s Boutique at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital (Ohio State University), a non-profit one stop shopping concept for women facing breast cancer. She also went on to serve as President of the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure and increased participation from 22,000 to close to 30,000 participants. Additionally, she has served on the board of the Southwest Florida Komen Affiliate helping them initiate their inaugural race in March, 2007. Ms. Avner remains committed to educating other women and encouraging them to take an active role in their health.