Cancer survivor, advocate receives award from Yoplait

By: Holly Kramer, Staff Writer

Yoplait honored Jennifer Johnson, Overland Park, as one of the 25 Yoplait Champions for her cancer-fighting efforts.

Yoplait has honored breast cancer survivor Jennifer Johnson, Overland Park, for her cancer-fighting efforts.

The company named Johnson one of the 25 Yoplait Champions for her work on raising awareness and rallying for a cure. This is the fourth year of Yoplait Champions.

Doctors diagnosed Johnson with breast cancer while she was five months pregnant with her son in 1999. The day following her last chemotherapy treatment, Johnson delivered a healthy baby boy.

Johnson credits the discovery of her breast cancer to her college sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, for teaching her the importance of performing breast self-exams.

Zeta Tau Alpha nominated Johnson for the Yoplait Champions award and Johnson donated her $1,000 in prize money to Zeta Tau Alpha’s national philanthropy fund.

Yoplait Vice President Camille Gibson praised Johnson and her fellow Champions.

“We are honored to recognize the 25 2008 Yoplait Champions, who have each selflessly devoted their time and effort to fighting breast cancer in their own, unique way,” Gibson said. “These 25 individuals are tireless leaders in their communities. Their efforts have ensured that those diagnosed with breast cancer will have somewhere to turn and a shoulder to lean on. They are role models, and they are truly champions.”

Johnson co-wrote the book “Nordie’s at Noon,” which shares the personal stories of four professional women diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 or younger. Once a month, Johnson and her friends – Patti Balwanz, Jana Peters and Kim Carlos – met at Nordstrom’s Cafe at Oak Park Mall for lunch.

Johnson travels the country speaking to college women about breast cancer and volunteers for several breast cancer organizations, including the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the Ribbons of Pink Foundation Fund, the Young Survival Coalition, and the Pregnant with Cancer Network.

To further her commitment to breast cancer awareness, Johnson said she decided to quit her job.

“I recently left my job to focus on advocacy and awareness,” Johnson said. “I’m preparing to go to Washington, D.C., and be involved with the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund. I also plan on doing more speaking to raise awareness.”

Johnson said she is pleased with the Yoplait Champion award.

“It’s a great honor to be even considered one of the 25 people to be recognized,” Johnson said. “It’s nice and I’m very thrilled.”