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Nine-time Swimming National Champion Calls Surviving Cancer Greater Accomplishment than Winning Gold

Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R), the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists committed to ending breast cancer forever, has named Deena Deardurff Schmidt as San Diego’s 2008 Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor. Schmidt, former head swimming coach at San Diego State University, 1972 Olympic gold medalist, and swimming world record holder, will serve as an inspirational spokesperson to help raise awareness of breast cancer screening and education in San Diego County and support Komen San Diego in its mission to eradicate breast cancer forever.

Schmidt, who dedicated most of her adult life to swimming, both as a competitive athlete and a women’s collegiate swimming coach, has always maintained a healthy lifestyle and stayed in top physical shape. Finding a lump in her breast during a routine self breast exam in the shower was a huge surprise to her. When Schmidt was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 47, her life changed forever.

“I quickly learned that breast cancer doesn’t discriminate. It is a disease that can affect anyone regardless of age, race and physical stature,” said Schmidt.

Schmidt underwent two lumpectomies, a mastectomy and chemotherapy for her breast cancer. Her undying determination, the support of her friends and family and the breast cancer resources and information available to her were driving forces in her fight against breast cancer. Schmidt is now a breast cancer survivor, and she has made it her mission to speak out and help others learn more about the disease.

“In the beginning I had thought, foolishly, that no one needed to know what I was up against, but when I learned that one in eight women would be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, I felt it was my duty to open up and share my story,” added Schmidt. “I encourage women to use the resources and advice provided by medical professionals and organizations like Komen to educate themselves about early detection methods and available breast cancer screening and treatment options. These resources helped me in my battle against the disease, and to me, the victory of survivorship is a greater victory than winning Olympic gold.”

On Sunday, November 2, 2008, Deena Deardurff Schmidt, along with more than 13,000 San Diegans are expected to unite in Balboa Park for the Twelfth Annual Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure(R). A survivor ceremony will be held prior to the race to recognize Schmidt as well as other San Diego breast cancer survivors.

For additional information about the San Diego Race for the Cure or Susan G. Komen for the Cure, please visit the national Web site at http://www.komen.org/, or the San Diego Affiliate web site at http://www.sdkomen.org/. San Diegans can sign up for the November 2, 2008 San Diego Race for the Cure on the San Diego Affiliate web site, or by calling In Motion at (760) 692-2900.

Source: Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Filed under : Celebrities, Chat, Health & Fitness, Life Stories

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Chicago Woman Wins $7.9 Million for Rescuing a Police Officer; Rachelle Jackson Rescued Officer From Burning Squad Car And Spent Over Ten Months In Jail

The Hero Speaks - Interview with Rachelle Jackson after the verdict at 3 p.m., Friday, June 13, 2008 at 119 N. Peoria Street, Suite 3A, Chicago, IL 60607.

Rachelle Jackson, a southside Chicago woman, won $7.9 million dollars in her federal civil rights claim. “Rachelle is a hero, and the jury knew it,” said Christopher R. Smith, one of the attorneys for Rachelle Jackson.

On November 19, 2002, Rachelle Jackson heard twisting metal and ran to aid the occupants of a Chicago Police vehicle that had been in a car crash. The car caught fire, but Rachelle rescued Chicago Police Officer Kelly Brogan from the car anyway. Many residents responded to aid the officers. During the chaos, someone stole the service weapon of Officer Brogan’s partner, who lay slumped over the steering wheel unconscious. Rachelle went to the police station to be a witness.

Once there, officers subjected Rachelle to over fifty hours of coercive and abusive interrogation, without access to a bathroom. Days later, Officer Kelly Brogan, who Rachelle rescued, came forward with a lie that Rachelle Jackson had attempted to remove her star and steal her gun; Rachelle claimed she pulled the officer from the burning car. After over ten months in jail, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Schultz exonerated Rachelle of wrongdoing, just as the federal jury did yesterday. The eyewitnesses, except for Officer Brogan, all corroborated Rachelle’s story.

The jury found in favor of Rachelle on six claims, as follows: Federal False Arrest - $150,000.00; State False Arrest - $250,000.00; Coercive Questioning - $500,000.00; Length of Confinement - $1,000,000.00; Malicious Prosecution - $2,000,000.00; and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress - $4,000,000.00.

“Officer Brogan’s attempt to jail a woman who rescued her and the detectives that encouraged Brogan to do so reflects the integrity of the Chicago Police Department,” said Daniel Alexander, lead attorney representing Rachelle. “Peoples’ rights can be, are, and will be protected in Chicago,” said Christopher R. Smith, speaking after the verdict.

Source: A Law Office Of Christopher R. Smith

Filed under : Chat, Life Stories

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