Sue Miller
Born 1934
Inducted 2002
Adopted by Day of Caring for Breast Cancer Awareness
Sue Miller is a former Denver fashion model who learned she had
breast cancer in 1971. Since then, she has fought fear and public
ignorance about the disease. Ten years after the diagnosis, this
mother of three agreed to stage a fashion show on the condition
that all the models be breast cancer survivors. That event for
the Denver Metropolitan Mastectomy Club became the first Day of
Caring for Breast Cancer Awareness, which is now an annual event
in nine cities around the country. These consumer-driven, volunteer-run,
and self-supporting educational forums are not fund-raisers. The
Day of Caring provides information about preventing, treating,
and surviving breast cancer. It helps cancer patients reduce their
fear and gain hope.
After her diagnosis, Miller organized Pre-surgical Partners,
a telephone network of local breast cancer survivors who served
as special friends to new breast cancer patients throughout their
treatment and recovery. She was also instrumental in convincing
the Colorado legislature to require health care organizations to
provide mammograms for women over 40. She also influenced federal
funding for breast cancer research. Miller has brought support
organizations together to stem the tide of ignorance about breast
cancer and gather support for those who need it most. She has received
many honors for her life's work, including the Bea Romer Women's
Health Leadership Award, the Jacque Mattson Volunteer Award, the
Sabin Award from the Arthritis Foundation, and the Savvy Award
for Outstanding Volunteerism. |
