Lisa Frank co-founded Tour de Pink with Matt Purdue in 2004 with only 5 riders. Lisa had planned to be the 6th rider, but surgery sidelined her ambitions. Driven by their passion and dedication to Young Survival Coalition (YSC), Tour de Pink has grown to attract hundreds of riders each year. Lisa, a breast cancer survivor, and Matt, a co-survivor, have always held Tour de Pink close to their hearts. They truly built the foundation for what Tour de Pink is today, and we are honored to present Lisa Frank and Matt Purdue as YSC Game Changers
Lisa Frank
What inspires you in your work to support, empower or educate young women affected by breast cancer?
I was at the very first meeting before we even had a name. Since then I feel I have impacted many people on their own journey. Considering my personal story, I believe I can help and inspire others to have hope and know how to cope with this disease.
What about your work for young women affected by breast cancer makes you most proud?
Co-founding the YSC Tour de Pink and helping it grow over 14 years.
What are your hopes for the future, with regard to YSC and young breast cancer survivors?
My hope is YSC continues to support and empower young breast cancer survivors. I hope more young breast cancer survivors get involved with YSC in any way that fits into their lives.
What is your message for YSC on its 20th anniversary?
Happy 20th Anniversary to YSC.
Anything else you'd like to share?
On September 18, 2018, I celebrated 20 years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Without the support of the YSC family and my amazing medical team, many of whom I met through YSC, I would not be here celebrating YSC’s 20 years or mine.
Matt Purdue
What inspires you in your work to support, empower or educate young women affected by breast cancer?
Randi Rosenberg, YSC co-founder, and our daughter, Alexandra. We lost Randi to breast cancer in 2010 but she is still a shining light for her amazing work to help young women everywhere.
What about your work for young women affected by breast cancer makes you most proud?
I feel blessed to have co-founded the YSC Tour de Pink with Lisa Frank and grateful that it has inspired thousands of cyclists and volunteers to become part of the YSC family.
What are your hopes for the future, with regard to YSC and young breast cancer survivors?
That no young woman nor her loved ones ever have to feel alone or isolated because of a diagnosis of breast cancer.
What is your message for YSC on its 20th anniversary?
Congratulations to every single person who has given of their time, energy and resources over the past two decades.
About YSC and Game Changers
Young Survival Coalition was founded in 1998 by young women diagnosed with breast cancer under age 35.
YSC is made up of people: survivors, co-survivors, volunteers, donors, healthcare providers. Our strength comes from our community. So in our 20th year, we will honor our roots — the people who have helped build YSC into what it is today — and also look forward, recognizing those in our community who are changing the future of breast cancer in young women.
We are highlighting these individuals as Game Changers throughout 2018 and sharing their stories with the world to thank them for their contributions to our community.
