Dear Friends,

As September closes, we are preparing to step into October—National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a cause deeply personal to both of us. Our mothers, Sue Miller and Essie Perlmutter not only faced this disease with courage, but also taught us invaluable lessons about resilience, community, and the importance of taking care of yourself.

Sue, Leslie’s mom, was a pioneer. She founded Day of Caring, creating space for breast cancer survivors to gather strength, share wisdom, and—yes—even strut proudly down a runway in survivor fashion shows. Lisa’s mom, Essie, walked that very runway, living her life as an example of grace, grit, and humor in the face of challenge. The friendship they shared has become a legacy we now carry forward.

The statistics remind us why this work matters: 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection saves lives, mammograms and self-exams aren’t optional “someday” tasks; they are urgent, loving acts of self-care.

“You cannot pour from an empty cup—so move yourself up your own priority list.”

That’s why we’re honored to collaborate with Fighting Together to Save Lives for a special evening on Tuesday, September 30th, at Jo Malone. We’re starting a little early to shine a light on awareness, celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and inspire women to take proactive steps for their health and their futures. And yes, there will be fragrance, friendship, and a little fun (because laughter is still the best medicine).

Spots are limited, only a few remain. We encourage you to bring someone who should be there. A sister, a daughter, a friend, or maybe the person in the mirror who needs this
reminder most.

And if you can’t join us on September 30th, we hope you’ll still take a moment that day to honor someone in your life who has faced this disease. Send a note, make a call, or simply pause to remember their courage. Because it’s never too late to acknowledge the strength of survivors and the legacy of those we’ve lost.

With hope, humor, and heart,
Lisa Cook & Leslie Heins
Co-Founders, Lotus Network

PS. We want to give Bernadette McClair a special shout-out of gratitude for making this upcoming special event possible.