Lindsay Avner
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25 years old // Founder and executive director of the breast and ovarian cancer awareness nonprofit Bright Pink // Raised in Columbus, Ohio; lives in River North
Two days after I graduated from the University of Michigan, I found out that my mom had tested positive for the breast cancer gene. The doctors looked at me and said, "What are you going to do?" I decided to take the test, too. // I'm not going to tell you it wasn't overwhelming,* but you have to be able to pick yourself up and develop a plan. I felt as though I needed to pave the way for others. You can go through this surgery** and still feel feminine and sexy. // My friends are all a lot wilder than I am, which is great. It's what I'm drawn to. I always say you can tone someone down a little, but it's hard to tone down someone who isn't that exciting. // I have a goofy side, but you have to know me before I start singing along to Bon Jovi songs. // A part of me is like any 25-year-old who wants to find my Prince Charming and fall in love.
* On being diagnosed with the gene, in June 2005. ** A preventive double mastectomy, in August 2006
Earrings by K. Amato
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