Meet Lindsay Avner
founder of Bright Pink

Lindsay Avner, 26, is no stranger to breast and ovarian cancer. 

Her mother fought both diseases when she was only 12 and she lost both her grandmother and great-grandmother to breast cancer before she was born.

In June 2005, right after graduating from the University of Michigan, Lindsay tested positive for a mutation on the BRCA1 gene, indicating she had a lifetime risk of up to 87 percent of developing breast cancer and 54 percent of developing ovarian cancer.

Vowing not to let the disease strike her, as it had three generations of women before her, she opted to have a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy.  At the time, Lindsay was one of the youngest patients to opt for the procedure. It was during her experience that Lindsay realized the lack of resources for women in her specific situation – young women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

Lindsay founded Bright Pink in January 2007 to share her experience and resources with other young women across the country.  Under Lindsay’s leadership, Bright Pink, has grown to be the national go-to non-profit organization for young women with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer, offering seven educational and support initiatives to its more than 10,000 members and supporters. 

Lindsay has spearheaded a national movement and continues to use her enthusiasm and passion to actively educate women on how to be proactive with their health.  Lindsay’s story has been profiled in such media outlets as the Chicago Tribune, Cosmopolitan, Shape, Women’s Health, Chicago Magazine, New York Post, Today Show and CNN.

• Become a fan of Bright Pink on FaceBook
  
  
• Follow Bright Pink on Twitter
  
  
• Hear about Lindsay's inspiring story, in her own words, on CNN.com