When it comes to breast cancer, many people believe it’s primarily hereditary. However, as Cara Lewis, a 19-year breast cancer survivor, points out, a large percentage of women diagnosed each year – somewhere around 40-50% – have no family history of the disease.
Lewis, who is Chief Investment & activation Officer, dentsu international, and was diagnosed at age 29, has been vocal about her experience and has found tremendous support within the media industry. She encourages women to start getting mammograms and screenings at the appropriate age, regardless of their family history.
“I was screening myself based on my family history, and that’s essentially how I found my cancer,” said Lewis in this video interview with Beet.TV. “One in eight women are diagnosed a year, and over 4 million women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Team Caracozy Raises $500,000 for Research
Over the years, Lewis has been actively involved in raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
Her team, “Team Caracozy,” has participated in the Revlon walk and raised over $500,000 for research in a span of 10 years. Lewis herself has been honored at events that have collectively raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the cause.
In 2023, Lewis and four other women in the media business started a group called Media Ladies Conquering Cancer (MLCC). The group has grown rapidly in its first year, with over 80 members from the industry joining the cause.
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“It’s been a run. I don’t think we knew how big it would grow in a year and how supportive the industry would be,” Lewis said. “We had our first event in February, we raised over $70,000 in just basically one night.”
Plans for 2025 and Beyond
Looking ahead, MLCC plans to hold one major event each year, with the next one tentatively scheduled for the first half of 2025.
The group is working to avoid coinciding with other industry events and wants to focus on giving back to its members throughout the year.
“We’re trying to work out the timing for next year based on all of the industry events,” Lewis explained.
“And really focusing on having our members get the gift bags that we’re wanting to give out when somebody is diagnosed or going through a treatment or a surgery or post-surgery. And really focusing on giving back to our members this year and having a couple member events throughout the year.”
