Becky Olson

Becky's story is an inspiration. In 1996, at age 43, she went back to school while working a full-time job, to get her college degree. Three months later she was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. She was given a 60% chance to survive past five years. She always jokes that she is thankful her doctors were wrong because it took her SEVEN years to graduate. Becky has been diagnosed twice since: The second time in 2004 and again in 2009.

In 2000, Becky co-founded Breast Friends, an Oregon based organization dedicated to helping women survive the trauma of cancer. They have received funding from Susan G. Komen for the Cure for the past 6 years. She is also author of, "The Hat that Saved My Life."

Becky's background was in corporate sales where she spent many years selling advertising for a multi-billion dollar company. In June of 2005, Becky walked away from her high paying, but high-stress job as a sales manager and was finally able to focus full-time on her breast cancer organization and her speaking career. "I've never looked back," says Becky.

Becky's story has been written up in the Oregonian Newspaper, Woman's World Magazine, and several national Breast Cancer Magazines. Becky has been interviewed twice on a global Christian Radio program, global Christian satellite television and has appeared several times on AM Northwest (local Oregon program). She has been quoted in several books about breast cancer.

She has received awards for her work including the Toastmaster's International Communication and Leadership award, The Susan G. Komen/BMW North America "Local Hero" award, the 2009 national "Pink Power Mom" by Bright Starts, an award granted to eight women around the country for their work in supporting women with breast cancer. In 2011, Becky received the Bank of America Local Hero Award.

Becky has been married for 34 years, has 5 children and 4 grandchildren. She travels all over the country sharing her story.