First the audience broke into applause after watching that memorable television clip of gymnast Shannon Miller’s gold-medal winning routine at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Their applause grew as Miller herself – now a business owner, author and five-year cancer survivor – walked onto the stage at the 29th annual Circle 1000 Founders’ Celebration Brunch, a fundraiser for the Hoag Family Cancer Institute.
“What you’re doing saves lives in more ways than one,” Miller told the audience of 350 people. “It’s not just about helping those dealing with a cancer diagnosis, but also making sure that we have those diagnostic tools that we need to detect cancer earlier.”
This year, the foundation raised $840,000 for the Hoag institute. “I am honored to be part of such an extraordinary community that is so committed to making a difference in the fight against cancer,” said Sheryl Anderson, event chairwoman.
Miller, the only American to rank among the top-10 all-time gymnasts, was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in 2011. Since then she has become a national advocate for early detection. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate,” she said. “It doesn’t care how many gold medals you won.”
