Team Violette gets its name

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007. I had multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation and had to continue chemotherapy of this medicine called Herceptin, for over a year after my diagnosis.

In August of the same year, one of the ladies at work asked if we could do the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in my honor. There was an annual kick-off breakfast that she wanted me to attend, and then the walk would be in October. Since I had already been raising money on my own for “Strides” and already knew that I would be participating in the walk (despite my lack of energy from my treatments). I said, that would be ok, but I didn’t want to make the team name, Team Lynne or “walking in honor of Lynne…” because I knew there were many women before me who had been diagnosed and many women after me would be diagnosed as well. Since my favorite color is purple, I thought “Team Violette” would be a nice name. So, in August 2006, SUNYIT Team Violette was born.

Since 2006, Team Violette has raised more than $19,000 and has also raised awareness around SUNYIT with a campus-wide walk, bake sales and raffles. The Pink Purse Project (PPP) started in 2009 and the money I raise through the PPP supports SUNYIT Team Violette. You can find out more about the Pink Purse Project at www.pinkpurseproject.com.