THOSE WHO "KAN," DO!

At a young ten years of age, Angelina Meo realized she had the ability to do something in the fight against breast cancer. And so, that year, encouraged by brochures she saw at her local YMCA, she walked in her first Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure. The next year, she gathered a small group of family members and formed team "Good Morning Sunshine." And this year, she took her ambition to make a difference even further with a unique initiative at her school called "kans for the kure."

Long before Race day in Philadelphia, Angelina started decorating coffee cans with pink fabric and ribbons. She proposed to her principal at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic School in Philadelphia, that these "kans for the kure" be placed on the teachers' desks so students could donate candy money or spare change to the Race for the Cure. Angelina received the thumbs up, made a speech to each classroom about the Race, how the money would be used and the importance of breast cancer awareness-and the collection began. By Race time, Angelina, her "Kans," her generous schoolmates and Mrs. Scally raised $100 in spare change!

"Angelina is the reason I started to do the Race... she told me it was very important. She was only ten at the time and we had no family history of breast cancer," said Michelle Matt, Angelina's mother. "We have walked for three years now, and she is the motivation for the rest of my family to walk and pledge for this important cause."

"Seeing determination like Angelina's to end breast cancer is a wonderful inspiration to me and the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate family, for she represents the youth who hold the cure in their hands," said Elaine Grobman, Executive Director of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate. "With devoted individuals like Angelina heading up the fight for the next generation, I have no doubt that one day soon all generations will be living happy lives free from the threat of breast cancer."

Pictured are a few members of "Good Morning Sunshine" (clockwise): Angelina (holding the sign), her Aunt JaneRose Matt and cousin Jillian Matt.