Message from Geralyn Lucas
"When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I promised that I would share my story with other women to help take away the fear of breast cancer and encourage them to get checked. I hope this Lifetime Original Movie based on my book gives you the motivation to be proactive about your health. Although it is "my" story, it is all of ours. Please share your story with your family and friends. The more we talk about it, the more we can take away the fear. And remember, live up to your lipstick!"

Later in the year we will have our own viewing party of Why I wore lipstick to my masectomy as a meeting or special event. Celebrating survivors and breast cancer awareness is a year round practice for our chapter. Please keep your eyes open for this important viewing.

Author Geralyn Lucas definitely lives up to her lipstick and is ready for anything because at age 27, without a trace of family history, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Geralyn Lucas was an editorial producer at ABC News’ 20/20 before becoming a director of original programming at Lifetime Television. In her groundbreaking new memoir WHY I WORE LIPSTICK, Geralyn tells her moving and inspirational story of understanding, dealing, coping and surviving breast cancer.

Last March, Geralyn contacted the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation while she was researching breast cancer education foundations and agencies. She thought that partnering with Zeta would be an excellent way to get her message across of early detection to young women throughout the country. "I was surfing on the Internet for information about college women and breast cancer awareness and when I found your website I was so amazed to learn that your organization made such a big commitment to breast cancer. My goal in writing this book was to hopefully save another young woman's life, especially another woman who mistakenly might think (as I did) that she is too young to get breast cancer or not at risk because she does not have a family history. I cannot think of a more effective way to reach young women than through Zeta Tau Alpha. Their passion for this cause, and the respect they have on campuses, I knew they could get the word out to other college women uniquely. I am so honored to have their support. I wish that I had the chance to have been a Zeta Tau Alpha in college!" Along with our partners at SELF Magazine, Lifetime Television, Stila Cosmetics, Betsey Johnson, St. Martin’s Press and the Young Survival Coalition, Zeta Tau Alpha will be supporting the book and the message of early detection through Courage Nights and numerous events across the country in conjunction with the publication of WHY I WORE LIPSTICK.

The purpose of the Courage Nights is to create an empowering environment, unite in the fight against breast cancer and shop for the cause. ZTA is happy to lend the “THINK-PINK!®” logo and theme to unify the Courage Nights and related events. Everything from clothing, food, beverages, decorations, and store windows will be decorated in PINK! Zetas across the country will be uniting to distribute breast cancer education materials to attendees at the boutiques and other locations to be announced. The event is open to the public and we invite all Zeta’s and their friends and family to attend these events!

WHY I WORE LIPSTICK is a unique story because virtually nothing has been written for women of a young age who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It also deals with the broader issue of self-acceptance that anyone grappling with questions of illness, self-image and sexuality can identify with.

WHY I WORE LIPSTICK will be available October 15th, and as acknowledgement for our dedication in the fight against breast cancer, Zeta Tau Alpha is listed in the Resource Section and the Thank You portion of the book! For more information, visit www.whyiworelipstick.com