Love Your Self First, Inc. Hosts Annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser

By Samantha Mitchell

Love Your Self First, Inc., founded by Kristi Dawson, hosted their annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser Saturday November 6, 2010, at Big City Swing in Chicago. This annual event is used as a tool to bring awareness to breast cancer, and also raises funds for non-profit cancer support group Helping Her Live, Inc

The evening began with a "Pink" Carpet/Meet and Greet where guests, media partners, and speakers took pictures, mingled, and did interviews. Next, various speakers gave educational and financial presentations, and the evening ended with an uplifting and heartfelt survival story from Breast Cancer survivor Dorothy Dahe. Dahe talked about her journey from her annual mammogram to surgery, to her spirituality and faith in God. "I believe that God wouldn't take me through anything I couldn't handle, and I am grateful that God chose me for this journey." The intimate crowd, which consisted of family, friends, cancer survivors, and media outlets, stood and gave Dahe a standing ovation for her touching story.

Keeping the good energy flowing, Gospel Singer Melinda Watts, winner of the 2008 “Gospel Dream Competition,” kept the crowd uplifted while performing two of her hit songs, "Happy" and "Walk In Your Purpose." Watts, diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in college, talked briefly about her cancer survival, singing career, and motherhood. Watts also founded a non-profit youth group, "Dreamgirls," which she calls "her baby." The group targets young girls ages 8 to 18-years-olds who need positive role models in their lives. Dreamgirls has been on tours in various cities, including: New Jersey, New York City, Cleveland and Miami. They will soon bring the tour to Chicago.

The night ended with two award recipients. One received the Pink Passion Award and the other received the Breast Cancer Survivor Award.

Founder and host Kristi Dawson, who's also a Cervical Cancer Survivor, expressed that she built her foundation on a promise that she made to her grandmother. "I promised my grandmother, who suffered from cancer, that no one else would suffer like she did––which inspired me to start Love Yourself First."

Guests enjoyed an array of Hors d'oeuvres and beverages, party music, and networking with media outlets such as: Action Magazine, Moody Radio, Flair TV, and GlossMagazineOnline.

For more information on Love Yourself First, Inc., contact Kristi Dawson at kristi.dawson@creativeimpactpr.com.