YSC has lost one of the greatest champions and sheroes of our organization. Lisa J. Frank passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 30th after a courageous 22-year battle with breast cancer. Lisa was a founding member of the YSC, formed in 1998. Diagnosed at 36, she quickly realized there were few, if any, resources for young women diagnosed with breast cancer to turn for support, advice and answers. The fierce advocacy skills she developed as a lawyer kicked in, and from thereon, Lisa worked tirelessly to advocate for young women, from the halls of Congress in Washington D.C. to the legislatures in Albany, NY, as well as at countless breast cancer conferences and symposiums, always promoting the mission of YSC. Her active leadership in YSC was ever present. Lisa co-chaired YSC’s very first fundraiser in 1999, served on its Board for many years and on numerous committees, as well as served as YSC’s president for two years. Even after she stepped down from official positions of leadership at YSC, Lisa continued to serve as a mentor, role model and beacon of light to hundreds (likely thousands) of young survivors over YSC’s more than two decades of existence.
In 2004, Lisa’s heart & soul went into the creation of the Tour de Pink (TdP), YSC’s largest fundraiser, born out of her love for cycling and belief that achieving a common goal of cycling together would create a community and foster confidence and optimism in her fellow survivor sisters, including those still in treatment. Lisa co-founded this 3-day charity cycling event, which began with only a handful of riders and has grown annually now to hundreds of riders comprised of survivors, family, friends and advocates, on both the East and West coasts (and a South ride for a time as well), raising millions of dollars to support YSC’s programming. She was instrumental in securing national and local corporate sponsors who supported the TdP through hotel accommodations, food and drink supplies, on-site medical aide, bike repair and relief support, moto escorts, donations and more. Lisa loved and was so grateful for all the support staff and volunteers over the years. Lisa’s family (Carol, Jerry, and Paul) were among the volunteers year after year. We all looked forward to Carol’s delicious PB&J’s. Lisa created not only a beautiful TdP family, connecting each of us across the country through a common goal, but an enduring legacy that will continue with her memory ever present as “Rider #1.” Her energy, determination and spirit will live on with all who ride in the TdP, and for those of us lucky enough to have ridden in past TdPs alongside Lisa.
A Celebration of Life
A memorial service for Lisa will be held on Monday, January 4th at 2 pm ET. To participate via Zoom livestream, please refer to the direct link below or you can listen by phone through the numbers listed below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86133288718
Meeting ID: 861 3328 8718
One tap mobile: +19292056099,,86133288718# or +13017158592,,86133288718#
In lieu of flowers, Lisa’s family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Tour de Pink at: https://www.ysctourdepink.org/Donate (choose Lisa J. Frank as your recipient when making a donation).
Per Lisa’s wishes, a Celebration of Lisa’s Life and Legacy is being planned via Zoom, so that all who wish to participate can do so. We will share the details with you once the date is set.
Carol, Jerry and Paul Frank
Steve Klein
Ann Marie Curd-Fruhauf
Jill Frey
Mary Morison
Heidi Levine
