Evelyn Calip, of Harbor City California, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2007.  She has had three successful breast reconstructions since then.  It has been over two years since doctors deemed her cancer-free.

 

Evelyn was so impressed by the medical treatment, care, and support she received from Torrance Memorial Medical Center, that she took a position there as a registered nurse.  Shortly after she began working at the Medical Center, she found herself surrounded by other women who were being diagnosed with breast cancer.  As she started to give back to the place that helped save her life, she found others to whom she could relate.

 

Regardless of efforts by family and friends to understand what Evelyn was going through, they couldn't possibly know how she felt.  Realizing this was a deep need in many other women as well, she became inspired to create a group that would bring together women with breast cancer.  In August 2009, "Evelyn's BFF (Breast Friends  Forever)" was established.  Every other month the group gathers for lunch, dinner or some type of day event.  Beginning with just eight members, it now currently has over 50 "survivors", as Evelyn calls them, even though many are not yet cancer-free.  In March 2011, it was officially registered as a non-profit in the state of California.  Ms. Calip is proud that Evelyn's BFF is changing lives and making such a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

 

(#3367930) ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION - EVELYN's BFF (BREAST FRIENDS FOREVER), INC. Endorsed-Filed in the office of the Secretary of Stae in California on March 22, 2011.  For more information please contact Evelyn Calip - evelynsbff@gmail.com

 

The mission of Evelyn's BFF is to unite women with breast cancer through unifying events.  Together they are committed to support and enrich the lives of those they touch.  Through fundraising, donations, volunteer support and ultimately financial generosity.  Its vision is to help raise the self confidence of women with breast cancer by providing funds to pay for breast reconstruction to uninsured women.  Unity is not its wish, it is Evelyn's BFF goal.

 

Evelyn's BFF is seeking sponsorship for future events and to expand partnership opportunities with other non-profits campaigning to raise breast cancer awareness and its cure.

 

EVELYN's BFF EVENTS	OUTSIDE NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION EVENTS​
EVELYN'S BFF Annual Luau EVELYN's BFF Family Picnic ​	​EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women Los Angeles The Long Beach Long Island 2 Day Breast Cancer Walk (LI2DAY) American Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k Walk

 

RECOGNIZING & HONORING EVELYN'S BFF
Evelyn and her non-profit Evelyn's BFF, has caught the attention of The Oprah Show along with others, as she is being honored for her passionate heart that is making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

 

On November 19, 2010, the "Queen of Daytime Talk", Ms. Oprah Winfrey, along with her producers, selected Evelyn Calip as an honoree guest to appear on her final show: OPRAH'S ULTIMATE FAVORITE THINGS, to recognize Evelyn's non-profit, EVELYN'S BFF.

 

Torrance Memorial Medical Center honored Evelyn Calip with a nomination for the Annual Hospital Hero Awards presented by the National Health Foundation and the Hospital Association of Southern California.

 

Evelyn was also a recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at TMMC.  The Daisy Award is a nationwide program to celebrate excellence in nursing.  The Daisy Foundation was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes and honor the compassion and care bedside nurses provide their patients everyday.  "Evelyn is a skilled and caring pre-op nurse, who is highly regarded by her co-workers and patients.  She utilizes her interpersonal skills and personal experience as a cancer survivor to greatly enhance the care provided to breast cancel patients treated at TMMC." --TMMC staff member

 

September 2010, Stephanie Cary, staff writer for the Daily Breeze of Southern California, wrote an article about Evelyn's breast cancer battle.  Evelyn's compelling story touched her heart enough to feature Ms. Calip's fighting spirit and perseverance as an example to other women still in the battle.