October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This past Sunday, I was on hand as thousands of people took part in the Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer in Glenview, Il.

Nobody is more dedicated to this great cause than actress Andrea Evans, whose mother, Audrey, is a breast cancer survivor and “is doing fabulously”, according to her proud daughter. Evans has been a celebrity spokesperson for the Walk for Hope for the last eight years.”As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, this cause is near and dear to my heart,” Evans stated to the massive crowd. Andrea’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989. For Evans, the Walk is very much a family event, as members from her family have joined her as she participates in the Walks. This year, her beautiful little girl and husband joined her in the effort.

Cancer survivors, their families and her fans are always happy to see Evans at the events. City of Hope is also proud to have Evans on board. “We are grateful for Andrea Evans’ commitment to City of Hope and our mission to make breast cancer a curable and preventable disease,” said Dan Lacovara, associate vice president of communications at City of Hope. “The groundbreaking cancer research that takes place at City of Hope is made possible by the steadfast support from people like Andrea and the hundreds of thousands of people who support our Walk for Hope.” Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer events have raised more than $27 million for breast cancer research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope since its inception 13 years ago. The Walks take place in several major U.S. cities each year.

Evans’ efforts don’t end with the Walk. Together with the owner of LATHER, Evans created Soap for Hope. Evans explains, “I developed it from the ground up. The scent, the look, the package…everything,” but more importantly, “100 percent of all the proceeds go to City of Hope for breast cancer research.” Evans is proud and excited about Soap for Hope and LATHER is just as happy. “We are extremely proud to be partnering with City of Hope, which is such an inspirational and well respected organization, as well as Andrea Evans, who inspires millions of people everyday,” explains Emilie Hoyt, president and founder of LATHER. “Both share in LATHER’s mission to help lead a more radiant life.”

Professionally, Evans is back on familiar ground, playing Tina Lord, the role she made famous on TV’s “One Life to Live“. Evans exclaimed, “I love being back on “One Life to Live”. I’m having a fabulous time. It’s like coming back home.” Although she lives on the West Coast and OLTL is filmed in NY, Evans plans on staying on as long as it is okay with her family life. For Andrea Evans, it always comes back to her family, just like with the Walk for Hope.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist