Fighting breast cancer one chocolate at a time

Feature Article :: May/June, 2004

Woman At Work

Fighting Breast Cancer One Chocolate at a Time

When Linda Herter discovered she had breast cancer in August of 2000, she was devastated. "I was on watch for it," she stated, "My mom was diagnosed in 1996, before that we had no history of cancer in our family. Our lives changed that day." Linda became very vigilant about taking care of herself. She did self-breast exams, and had a yearly mammogram. It was at her mammogram that the cancer was discovered. "I thought if it did happen to me, we would catch it in an early stage," she recalled. Instead, Linda's cancer was an aggressive stage 3 cancer. She immediately began treatment, determined to beat it as her mother had done. "I always knew my mom was one of the strongest women I knew and after watching her win her battle with cancer there is no doubt," Linda said.

After an initial lumpectomy, the surgeons found a larger cancer than first expected. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and chest wall as well. "There were so many doctor's visits with oncologists and surgeons. It became quite a blur." Linda went into chemotherapy, and had treatment every two weeks. In October, she had a mastectomy and went right back into chemotherapy. Starting in January of 2001, Linda began radiation treatments that lasted until March. "Anyone fighting cancer will tell you how hard chemotherapy can be. During my treatment, I lost my appetite for most of my favorite foods," Linda said, "but no matter how bad I felt, I never lost my love for chocolate"

It was during her treatments that an idea began to form in Linda's mind. She strongly believed she had to do something to help other women. Linda and her fiancé Jim (now husband) began to bounce some ideas around. She kept coming back to chocolate. "I thought, Why not make products that make people happy, and at the same time, raise money for breast cancer. There are thousand of fundraisers nation wide that could use the chocolates at luncheons or dinners or even party favors. Millions of people are affected by this disease and could use the joy brought about by chocolates. The idea took shape, and we slowly started our business," Linda remembered.

The business plan gave Linda strength during her treatments. "It helped me stay positive," she noted. Her daughter Andrea agreed, "My mom was bound and determined to beat this disease, she was not going to let it get the best of her," said Andrea, "On her weakest days she still had positive thoughts, and when most people would have given up she continued to fight."

Linda and Jim spent many days brainstorming about a name for their chocolates. "I wanted to use the word "pink" because of its association with the breast cancer ribbon color. One day after much frustration, I left for one of my treatments. Jim called me at the hospital to tell me he had a name for the business", Linda noted. Jim explained to Linda that when he returned to his office that cold January day he discovered a pink ladybug on his desk! "I looked up the pink ladybug on the internet. One passage described the ladybug as the symbol of rebirth and keeper of the spring garden. It had all the elements-pink; lady; prevention and protection; rebirth. Linda took it from there," Jim said. The name Pink Lady Bug Designs was born.

Planning began for the business, but it was slow going. "We had a lot of research to do. I wanted to make this a success, and I knew it would take time" While the groundwork was being laid for Pink Lady Bug Designs, Linda was invited to serve on the executive board for the St. Joseph County American Cancer Society, and the Women's Task Force at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. In 2002, Linda proposed to the task force and hospital that funds be raised for women in the community that needed mammograms, but had no insurance. Although there were programs for some women, others were falling through the cracks due to income and age guidelines. "This was something that was near and dear to my heart since my Mom's cancer and mine were detected by mammograms. I told them about my idea for a luncheon to raise money. The rest is history," noted Linda. Today the luncheon is known as "The Secret Sister Society Luncheon." Thanks to all the volunteers from the task force and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, the luncheon has become an enormous success. "The community really got behind this idea. It motivated me to get our business up and running so I could do more" she said.

Jim and Linda met with DeBrand Fine Chocolates in Fort Wayne and the owners Cathy Brand-Breere and her husband Tim Breere. "I felt an instant business compatibility. Both are so professional and very creative, but most of all, their product is unmatched by any in the country. They have been nothing short of exemplary in their efforts to help with the breast cancer awareness cause," said Jim.

By early 2003, Linda and Jim were moving towards their goal. "We were hard at work creating the design for the chocolates, and the packaging when I saw a great opportunity to promote the business," Linda recalled. Linda had discovered that O, The Oprah Magazine, featured a "chocolate of the month" in their food section. "I e-mailed them some information about our product and they loved the idea. They wanted to feature it in the October issue since that is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We were thrilled, but knew we had an enormous amount of work ahead of us to make it happen," remembered Linda, "Sometimes a little pressure is all that is needed to accomplish goals, and the chocolates were ready for the magazine just in time."

Interest in Linda's cause has steadily increased. She was invited to the Estee Lauder Global Landmarks Illumination Initiative at the Mall of America in October 2003, the same month the chocolates were featured in O, The Oprah Magazine. Evelyn Lauder founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation ten years ago to raise money for research in the hopes of eradicating breast cancer. The foundation was introduced to Linda's chocolates and wanted to publicize them. Pink Lady Bug Designs was also featured in their worldwide newsletter. And on April 26, 2004, the chocolates graced the tables at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's 10th Anniversary Spring Benefit. The benefit raised over $5.4 million for breast cancer research. "It was quite an honor to have our product there," noted Linda. The foundation has also honored Linda by featuring her on their website (www.bcrfcure.org). Linda is profiled for the "Power of 10" promotion in celebration of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's 10th Anniversary. "They have done such tremendous work," Linda said, "The foundation is a vitally important link in the fight against this disease. They are also a great source of information for breast cancer patients and survivors"

Linda is proud to be a breast cancer survivor. She is dedicated to helping other women with the disease, and hopes to see a cure in her lifetime. "Her intentions and heart are in the right place," noted Jim, "Many women will be the unknowing beneficiaries of that unselfishness through her association with benevolent organizations and the contributions of Pink Lady Bug Chocolates to women's health issues" Linda gladly donates a portion of each sale to several groups including the Breast Cancer Research Fund and several local cancer organizations. "We all have to do our part to battle this disease. I worry about my daughter, my stepdaughters and my nieces. I pray that they will not have to go through this. I was fortunate; I am still here to carry on the fight. Many women are not as lucky," she pointed out. Linda is thankful for the physicians who worked so hard on her behalf. "Dr Rafat Ansari, Dr. George Friend, and Dr. Guy Kedziora and their staffs were so supportive. I owe them my life," Linda said with gratitude. She also credits her family and friends for all their love and support. "Jim and my mother were my lifelines during my treatments, and while this business was getting off the ground. Everyone needs a support system, and mine was rock solid," she concluded.