October 21, 2008

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is named for the late Antoinette Passo Westphal, a 1959 graduate of the College who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996. Shortly after her diagnosis, Antoinette, using her own experience and her wonderful abilities to get things done and work with people,
became a founding board member of Breastcancer.org, where she served until her passing in 2005. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it's a good time to remind our community that Breastcancer.org is the world's leading resource for credible, medically vetted information and the home for a vibrant peer community providing unparalleled support for all of those affected by breast cancer.

Knowledge is essential to preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer. We encourage you to learn more and to get involved by visiting www.breastcancer.org where you will find information, upcoming events, ways to volunteer, and more.Click here for a full schedule of upcoming events, including College Night on the Lanes: "Bowling for Boobs.'

Breastcancer.org has recently launched a prevention initiative for young women inspired by Taking Care of Your "Girls", a groundbreaking book written by Dr. Weissand her daughter Isabel. The book addresses the many questions young women have about breast development and breast cancer, and offers easy lifestyle tips that promote breast health and can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Dr. Weiss and Isabel have honored their connection to our own dear Antoinette by dedicating their book to her. You can get a copy of Taking Care of Your "Girls" through the site or on loan by emailing comad@drexel.edu.

A child of Italian immigrants, Antoinette viewed her education at Drexel as a springboard to a rich life of selfless service to her family, her careers, and her University-which she never forgot. Antoinette, along with fellow founding Breastcancer.org founding board member Dr. Marisa Weiss, shared a vision to demystify the complex medical information about breast cancer, making it available to everyone at no cost. The reality now matches the vision: Breastcancer.org, a beacon of care until the care, is nearly ten years young.