Madelyn Reass, Joan Lunden and Betty Ann Levin.
Be enthusiastic. Always give the best you’ve got. Self-advocate. Those are just a few of the pieces of advice that Joan Lunden gave the audience of the packed Johnson Theater at Norfolk Academy on Sunday, April 26.
Lunden, the former host of ABC’s Good Morning America, shared her journey during Jewish Family Service of Tidewater’s Spring Into Healthy Living program.
Lunden was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer in June 2014 and has been a passionate advocate for breast cancer screening and awareness ever since. She urged the audience of mostly women to take charge of their health and to not feel guilty for taking care of themselves.
The hour-long presentation was filled with stories of Lunden’s humble beginnings in television, with anecdotes of the people she’s met along the way, and with tips for everyone on how to live their best life. Her inspirational presentation received a standing ovation.
During the event at Norfolk Academy, the audience also heard from Dr. Judith Salerno, president and chief executive officer of Susan G. Komen, who presented local, state and national statistics on breast cancer.
Look for more about Jewish Family Services’ Spring into Healthy Living in the next issue of Jewish News.
Jewish Family Service is a constituent agency of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater.
by Amy Cobb, JFS marketing and fundraising assistant