Recently, the American Cancer Society stated that the cancer death rate for men and women has decreased by a remarkable 23% from it’s peak in 1991 to 2012. Despite advances in treatments and early detection, the threat of cancer still looms worldwide, but a group of survivors known as the Pink Plate Club have set out to make a difference by creating breast cancer license plates in California.
In 2007, Chere Rush’s life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “At 39, I wasn’t even old enough to 
have a mammogram yet. If you don’t have a family history of breast cancer, then mammograms aren’t ordered during yearly exams until you hit 45. After 4 months of ignoring a lump in my breast, it eventually got so painful that I couldn’t wear a seatbelt in my car without being in pain.”
A mother of 3, Chere has Stage IV breast cancer and will have to have treatments every three weeks for the rest of her life, “Had I gone to the doctor earlier, I wouldn’t be fighting for my life every day.” Looking for a network to help her in this difficult time, Chere leaned on her church as well as a breast cancer survivor group, Survivor Sisters. It was here that she and
another group of women decided to do something tangible to bring more awareness to cancer warning signs and started campaigning to have a breast cancer license plate introduced in California. “Getting these plates on the road will be noticeable, it will be pink. We want people to take notice of the plates and be aware of their bodies so they don’t end up like me.” Proceeds from the license plates will go to Every Women Counts which helps underserved women get mammograms.
Since this was first published in October of 2016, The Pink Plate Club hit their goal(!) of 7500 pre-order plates which was the minimum number required by the DMV. Plates are still available for pre-order and should be available by March of 2018 from www.pinkplate.org.
“Eventually I won’t be here, so I see the plates as a legacy for my family to remember that I fought for other women. It’s so important for us survivors to help prevent other women from having to go through this.” -Chere Rush
MORE GREAT ORGANIZATIONS:
Avon 39, which I participated in last year, holds walks throughout the country to raise money for breast cancer research and patient programs. Their last event in NYC, raised $7.6M.
UPMC Hospitals in Pittsburgh, PA offer their cancer patients a monthly beauty program, Look Good Feel Better, where women get professional help selecting wigs and learning to do their makeup from a trained cosmetologist.
