Lindsay Avner
Adversity: High risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer
Advocacy: Started a nonprofit to save lives from breast and ovarian cancer by empowering young women to live proactively
“I love nothing more than a woman empowered to be proactive with her health and seeing the Bright Pink community grow fills my life with great meaning. The women we talk to every day inspire me to do more and do better so the next generation doesn’t have to fear breast and ovarian cancer.”
In 2006, Lindsay Avner became the youngest woman in the U.S. to have a risk-reducing double mastectomy—a choice based both on science and strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer. After being diagnosed with a BRCA1 gene mutation at 22, she took action and vowed not to let these diseases strike her as they had three generations of women before her. Through her experience, Lindsay found a profound lack of resources for women in her position—young women who had not been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer but wanted to start living proactively. She asked, “Why do we have to wait until someone is diagnosed to take action?”
In 2007, Bright Pink was born. Nine years later, Bright Pink is a national nonprofit empowering young women to be proactive with their breast and ovarian health. At Bright Pink, Lindsay oversees an innovative portfolio of education and support programs that serve thousands of women nationwide. These programs include the Brighten Up® Educational Workshop – an in-person presentation on the breast and ovarian health basics – and the Women’s Health Provider Education Initiative – a case-based education module to train physicians and nurse practitioners on risk stratification and management strategies for their young female patients. Through Bright Pink, Lindsay is shifting the national conversation from one focused on breast and ovarian cancer awareness to one centered on tangible, life-saving action.