Just six months ago I was introduced to a woman whose beautiful smiling face gave no hint to dramatic challenges she had overcome just a few years ago. She came to me for help in getting her mission some national exposure … she needed a website to do this. And so, that is how I came to know the quiet powerhouse of Sherie Hildreth.

Not so long ago, Sherie and her family faced a challenge that may even have included her passing. This challenge was ovarian cancer. During her battle she discovered a purpose and developed a plan to not only help herself face this challenge, but to help others.

As so often happens during the aggressive medical treatments used to fight cancer, Sherie lost her hair. Inspired, Sherie and her friend Cathy took a knit cap that Sherie was wearing and added strings of beads along the back like jeweled hair. They kept designing more and other patients began to wear them. So HiLek Designs was born.

Sherie and Cathy began selling these artfully created hats and caps not as a profit-making venture, but to give patients a feeling of strength by turning the loss of one’s hair into a unique inspiring creation. Sherie and Cathy took the money raised through the sales of the hats and began donating it to OHSU and other ovarian cancer foundations to help fund ovarian cancer research. Today, Hats of Empowerment (as the company is now called) sells dozens of hats to people all around the world every day. If you’d like to support ovarian cancer research visit Hats of Empowerment and make a purchase.

Not content with simply making hats, Sherie pushed harder and created The Sherie Hildreth Ovarian Cancer Foundation which was founded to raise awareness and to fund research for Ovarian Cancer. Then three years ago, the foundation sponsored their first Empowerment Walk. The annual event consists of a 10K Run/Walk, 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Family Fun Walk in Gladstone, Oregon.

The previous Empowerment Walks have raised over $47,000. These proceeds benefit OHSU Cancer Institute, one of the nation’s leading research centers specializing in Ovarian Cancer. The Sherie Hildreth Ovarian Cancer Empowerment Walk is an opportunity for families and businesses, as well as other survivors and supporters from surrounding communities, to come together for the cause. Their goal is to raise $125,000 for research towards a cure!

With the 4th Annual Empowerment Walk looming it’s time to grab an application, create a team, or volunteer! The date of the event is August 4th 2007. CLICK HERE for an application or email shocfoundation@comcast.net to volunteer. If you can’t make it, visit the SHOC Foundation website and make a donation.

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Aaron C Yeagle is a partner in TRANSMUTATION SCIENCES, LLC. an internet services company that designs, optimizes, markets, promotes websites for everyone from musicians to major corporations. Visit his site www.transmutationsciences.com. If you are interested in joining LeTip call him at 971-207-4492