After watching her best friend die of breast cancer in November of 2004, Michelle Vaughn created Pretty in Pink, a program devoted to raising awareness of the disease.

Her friend died, in part, because she was not diagnosed until Stage Three. “It was extremely painful to watch someone with so much life slowly lose her battle with breast cancer,” says Michelle. Michelle set out to make sure that Camden women have access to information on breast cancer resources and services available in the community. “I felt that with early detection, more women could become survivors of this disease.” It was then that Pretty in Pink was born.

The mission of Pretty in Pink is to educate women in Camden on early detection and treatment of breast cancer. “Although there are programs available in other areas like Cherry Hill and Voorhees, I have found that women in my community feel intimidated to attend these programs,” says Michelle. “Pretty in Pink provides a safe place where the women in our community can take part in a program that was designed for them.” The program brings together women who have breast cancer and breast cancer survivors to share their experiences. Physicians, including Kathleen Greatrex, M.D., Chief of Radiology for Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, and other medical professionals volunteer their time to bring breast cancer education to women attending the program.

Selected as a “Lourdes Champion” in 2007 by Lourdes Health System where she has worked for 22 years, Michelle was recently awarded the 2009 Camden Hero’s Award for her efforts with Pretty in Pink.

 “If just one life is saved and spared the agony of this disease, then I have accomplished my goal and honored the memory of my best friend, Jeannette Johnson,” says Michelle.

Michelle has five sisters and was raised by a deeply religious mother. She has a son and a daughter, both serving in the Armed Forces, and one grandchild. She is a very active member of Baptist Temple Church, Camden.