Eliza Davis: The Teen with the Dream

The amazing 2009 Philadelphia Tickled Pink! event - which united approximately 450 moms and teens and raised more than $100,000 for the breast cancer movement - all started with one teen, Eliza Davis.

 


Over a year ago, the idea was sparked when Eliza saw a similar fashion show hosted in New York, and went to her mother, Barbara, with the idea to do something like it in our community. Eliza and Barbara came to the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate and presented the idea that has grown into the Philadelphia Teens for the Cure. Eliza also volunteered to intern with The Affiliate that summer. She had incredible determination, passion, resourcefulness and energy. In addition, she had her mother Barbara by her side, who not only embraced Eliza's dream, but inspired it with her courage through her own breast cancer journey. This special team committed to each other and the dream - and, the rest, as they say, is history!

 

Of course, it wasn't that quick, nor that easy. Eliza, Barbara, the Philadelphia Teens for the Cure Founders Committee, and the Tickled Pink! event committee invested more than six months of their lives to make it happen, to assure its absolute perfection. The result was one of those rare defining moments in the breast cancer movement -- moments that forever change the face of breast cancer and the empowerment over this horrible disease.

 

The passion and conviction Eliza put forth in her efforts, as well as Barbara's love, nurturing and pride in her daughter, is a dynamic for which all mothers and daughters can strive. Elaine I. Grobman, Executive Director of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate, captured it beautifully in her Tickled Pink! address:

 

"Eliza and Barbara, you have changed the face of breast cancer. As we say in Hebrew, "'Le dor vador." From generation to generation. Like the promise made between Susan G. Komen and her sister, Nancy G. Brinker, you have made a promise, to lead, inspire and empower one generation to the next, until breast cancer is eradicated forever."

 

Share in the excitement of the Philadelphia Tickled Pink! evening with our photo gallery

 

Pictured above: Eliza Davis (left) addresses Tickled Pink! guests on November 20, as her mother, Barbara, looks on with pride and affection.