October 18, 2002
November 16, 2003
December 3, 2003

Her instincts were right.

At age forty, she had another mammogram. This time, the test showed seven small spots. A biopsy was performed and she was diagnosed with very early stage breast cancer.

"Early detection saved my life - if I didn't have a mammogram I wouldn't be here today," says Jackson. "Since then I have been educating other women about the importance of early detection."

Breast cancer changed her life; now Lorraine Jackson has vowed to change the lives of others.

As a Spokeswoman and Ambassador for the American Cancer Society, Jackson has become an advocate for breast cancer research and treatment. Last month she took her message to the nation's capitol.

As part of the Relay for Life: Celebration on the Hill, Jackson joined other Ambassadors to show how the American Cancer Society is fighting cancer in communities across the country and made a call to action.

"It was very inspirational," says Jackson. "Because there were so many other survivors across the United States that were there sharing the fight."

Delegates from every state were in attendance, participating in marches, manning booths and talking to their congressional representatives. Jackson met with her Congressman and presented a list of things they'd like to see accomplished, among them: more funding for the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. They are also pushing for the passage of legislation that will increase patients' access to life-saving cancer screenings.

But Jackson doesn't stop there. She recently started a foundation - The Lorraine Jackson Foundation - to help fund the fight for a cure.

"I started the foundation to help raise money to give out grants," says Jackson. "I feel that the support groups and local foundations provide a valuable service to the community, but they need funding to continue the work that they do."

In her fight against breast cancer Jackson found support from community groups, and she wants to make sure that support is there for other women. "I learned from hearing other women share their stories," says Jackson. "I also realized how lucky I was."

Lucky indeed.

Statistics from the National Cancer Institute show that by the age of 40, one in 235 women will get breast cancer. That number jumps to one in 54 by the age of 50, and one in 23 by age 60.

That is why Jackson is so dedicated to getting out the message of early detection. She has three recommendations for women: get a baseline mammogram before the age of 40; get a copy of your mammogram reports to discuss with your doctor; and keep a binder of all your mammograms so you can chart any changes.

In addition to her crusade to educate women and help find a cure for breast cancer, Jackson has a full-time job as Director of Business Development at the Century City law firm of Cheong, Denove, Rowell & Bennett. Their generous support has allowed Jackson to be their representative to the Chamber. They have also participated in Daffodil Days - an American Cancer Society Fundraiser - for the past two years.