FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Planned Gift Generous Donation from Board Chair Jan Hillman Transforms Lives of Breast Cancer Patients and Expands Foundation's Impact in the Miami Valley Dayton, OH -- The Breast Wishes Foundation, established in 2015, is thrilled to announce the first planned gift in the organization’s history. A generous $100,000 planned gift will significantly enhance our ability to grant more wishes to individuals battling breast cancer throughout the Dayton region. The donor of thistransformative gift is our esteemed Board Chair, Jan Hillman. Jan hasfaced breast cancer three times, including her current diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Reflecting on her gift, Jan shared, “It brings me joy to bring joy to others with breast cancer, who, like me, are fighting for their lives. The Breast Wishes Foundation’s mission to bring joy to those with breast cancer resonates with me strongly. I can think of no better way to invest funds that will bring hope at a time when it is needed the very most.” Vice Chair and Co-Founder Elesha Snyder expressed her gratitude, stating, "Thanks to Jan's leadership, we are one step closer to granting wishes to 500 breast cancer patients by the end of 2025. The Breast Wishes Foundation is blessed to have Jan’s guidance, support, and determination to bring JOY to hundreds of women with breast cancer fighting to survive." One recent beneficiary of the foundation, Yashanda, shared, “I have never been on a vacation before, and my husband and I never got a honeymoon 20 years ago. Having this amazing trip to look forward to was the only thing getting me through my grueling chemotherapy treatments. We had the greatest time of our lives!” Since its inception, the Breast Wishes Foundation has granted over 300 wishes, raised $700,000 in funds, and positively impacted the lives of countless individuals. Our ongoing goal is to expand our reach to grant even more wishes and provide greater assistance. Community Recognition: Additionally, we are proud to announce that the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation has recognized Jan Hillman as a 2024 Champion of Hope. This honor highlights her unwavering commitment to the cause. Upcoming Events: Join us for our annual 5K for Kelli on Saturday, August 3, 2024, where we will celebrate and honor the life of Kelli James and all the survivors, thrivers, and loved ones we've lost. This event is a cornerstone of our fundraising efforts and a powerful reminder of our mission. Together, we will continue raising fundsto bring joy and hope to breast cancer patients. For event details and registration, please visit www.breastwishesfoundation.org/5k-for-kelli . Call to Action: The Breast Wishes Foundation is funded by grants, event sponsorships, corporate donations, individual donors, and ticket sales. For more information on volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, events, and gift options, visit www.breastwishesfoundation.org . ### About Breast Wishes Foundation: Founded in 2015 by Elesha Snyder and Mandi Snyder-Moore, Breast Wishes Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing joy and hope to breast cancer patients throughout the Dayton region. Our mission is to grant meaningful wishes to those battling breast cancer, providing emotional support and uplifting experiences during challenging times. Through the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and community partners, we have positively impacted the lives of countless individuals and families. We are committed to continuing our work and expanding our reach. For more information about our programs, events, and how you can get involved, please visit www.breastwishesfoundation.org .

Youngest recipient so far was in her teens. By Nancy Bowman VANDALIA – The Breast Wishes Foundation is stepping up its efforts to bring joy to women and men living with breast cancer. The nonprofit foundation was founded by sisters Elesha Snyder and Mandi Snyder Moore to honor their sister, Kelli James, who died in 2006 during her third battle with breast cancer. The foundation, founded in 2015, has granted more than 200 wishes so far. Wish requests are accepted on behalf of breast cancer patients in Montgomery and contiguous counties who are receiving cancer treatment. Wishes can be for up to $1,500 and have included requests for furniture, spa days, a vacation and home repairs among many others. One woman wanted a walk-in tub while another wanted an electric bike so she could still enjoy a nearby bike path. “You never know what somebody wants. Our tagline is, ‘we grant wishes that bring joy to the recipient’,” Snyder said. “Hope is so critical,” said Jan Hillman, a longtime volunteer and new foundation board chair. The youngest recipient so far was in her teens while others are in their 30s, 40s and into their 80s. Breast Wishes doesn’t grant financial wishes such as paying bills. It does, though, refer those in need of that assistance to other organizations who do provide that relief. “The things we do, I think, bring a little more lasting joy,” Snyder said. Anyone who would like to support a wish can make tax-deductible gifts online, and, if desired, designate the community to which they would like to direct this gift. The foundation remained active granting wishes during COVID-19 but not as many and held no events and few meetings, said Snyder. As Breast Wishes emerged from the pandemic, its foundation chair since 2016 Ken Herr of Dayton, decided to retire at the end of 2022. Hillman of Tipp City was elected as new board chair effective Jan. 1. The foundation also has moved operations from Snyder’s home to 115 E. National Road in Vandalia. The building has space for meetings with wish recipients, donors and others including those wanting to learn more about the foundation. So far this year, the foundation has added Bonnie Baker as marketing committee chair and Leigh Ann Fulford, diversity, equity and inclusion task force chair. Interns from the University of Dayton are being hired to help out this summer. “We have been meeting with a lot of people, bringing people into the organization,” Snyder said. “Jan and Bonnie have a lot of contact, which was a missing piece.” The biggest event of Breast Wishes each year is the Run for Kelli. Among organization goals is granting 500 wishes by 2025. It is looking for more volunteers and more board members, in addition to more recipients and donors, Hillman said. Wish applications and other information are available at www.breastwishesfoundation.org. The phone number is 937-793-9474. Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com Story Credit: https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/foundation-brings-joy-to-those-with-breast-cancer/COJQJG45FZCCLGE46XHMAMPIMM/

The Miami Valley Hospital Foundation is honored to host Champions of Hope, an inspiring and uplifting recognition ceremony saluting four inspiring individuals for their achievements in the battle against cancer. The 2024 honorees included: Jhansi Koduri, MD, as the Person of Inspiration; Robin Robbins are the Caregiver; Jan Hillman as the Survivor; Selyne Samuel, MD, FACS, as the Medical Professional; and Walter Burnell as the Honorary Person of Inspiration. Watch the full video here: https://vimeo.com/1012100482

Jan Hillman serves as chair of the Breast Wishes Foundation while battling breast cancer Even as Jan Hillman battles breast cancer for the third time, she refuses to call herself a survivor. She is a thriver. “‘Survivor’ to me has sounded like I’m hanging on by my fingertips,” she said. The Tipp City woman is doing anything but that, advocating for others with breast cancer and serving as the chair of the Breast Wishes Foundation, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to those who have been diagnosed with the disease. The organization has granted 327 wishes since it was founded in 2015, and it is on track to reach its goal of fulfilling 500 wishes by the end of next year, she said. Hillman, 71, was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time in 1986, and then again 11 years later. Through the years she has undergone a lumpectomy, mastectomy and reconstruction. Her latest diagnosis came last year in the form of metastatic breast cancer, first found in her stomach and also discovered in her skull, clavicle, thoracic spine, rib and pelvis. Her latest PET scan showed no visible metastatic breast cancer; however, it is prevalent in her bone marrow. She has decided to decline further chemotherapy and instead focus on living life to its fullest. “This is something I’m going to live with for the rest of whatever life I’m given,” she said. That life has been dedicated to helping others. Hillman was the founder and chief executive officer of Hillman Associates, through which she offered fundraising, strategic planning and board development services for nonprofit organizations for 37 years before retiring and closing the business in 2020. She also was recently named caregiver of the year by the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation, and last year she was named the outstanding volunteer fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Greater Dayton Region Chapter. Even as Hillman fights her own battles, she finds joy as she helps others, said Amy Suber, who serves on the board of the Breast Wishes Foundation and nominated Hillman as a Dayton Daily News Community Gem. “It’s part of her life and so important for her to help others and give back, to be the shining light that she is to the community and others,” Suber said. Suber, of Dayton, also said that Hillman has done much to further the reach of Breast Wishes, helping the group reach its own goals and grant more wishes. Hillman said she was attracted to the organization’s mission of bringing joy to those with breast cancer locally. The foundation serves those in Montgomery and surrounding counties, granting wishes that average about $1,500. That wish could be anything from a trip to renew wedding vows to a remodeled bathroom to a new dining room table to create memories around. “To be able to find that hope amidst all you’re going through in treatment is really a critical component of feeling better,” she said. Detection is helping to find breast cancer earlier, she said, and breast cancer found early is very treatable. “Get your mammogram,” Hillman said. “That’s the bottom line.” Story Credit Dayton Daily News: https://www.daytondailynews.com/what-to-know/community-gem-advocate-brings-joy-to-others-with-breast-cancer/HPIQNQDMNNEN7OUUSCQMFK4NXY/?fbclid=IwY2xjawF2PZVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHS9X5C9rwspSQUlDyo895kAHjdPnwA-_PBUzjHW6ayVZBHek_TM9SlAEBg_aem_tTrNqJmtaid_ylovfdg-1g

By Hannah Poturalski – Managing Editor, Dayton Business Journal Oct 5, 2023 Jan Hillman lives life in full color. She flits about from an impressive flower garden in bloom, to picking goodness from her vegetable garden, all with rock tunes wafting in the air. And even larger than her gardens is Hillman’s heart for philanthropy and giving back. She founded Hillman Associates in 1983 and provided fundraising and advancement services for over 35 years. She’s had a hand in helping to raise over $1 billion since her fundraising career first began in 1978 at University of Toledo. Her passion areas include health care, the medically underserved, higher education and K-12 education. Hillman, 70, is also on her own health care journey. She’s facing stage four metastatic breast cancer in her stomach. Her cancer journey first began in 1986 and again in 1997 when she beat breast cancer diagnoses. “I’m not done and my medical team knows it,” Hillman said. Hillman is the new board chair of the Breast Wishes Foundation, a local nonprofit that grants wishes to patients going through breast cancer. “My wish is to grant wishes,” Hillman said. “I want to help grant 99 wishes.” The organization has a goal to grant 500 wishes by December 2025. The nonprofit has granted over 250 wishes as of now. The average cost of a wish is $1,500. “I want to do as much as possible,” Hillman said. In November, Hillman will be awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Dayton Chapter. “It really drives me and I look at it as part of my healing to raise money to make wishes,” Hillman said. The Breast Wishes board is at seven members now, which Hillman said she will be growing. Hillman said she’s “laser focused” on fundraising for Breast Wishes. The organization had its most successful 5K for Kelly fundraiser this year, which is the nonprofit’s largest source of funding. “Jan wants to make sure that anyone going through this journey, gets an opportunity to have some joy and some time away from thinking about breast cancer,” said Bonnie Baker-Tattershall, a Breast Wishes board member and director of diversity, equity and inclusion for Kettering Health. Elesha Snyder, co-founder of Breast Wishes, said she first met Hillman during Jan’s capacity as president of Good Samaritan Foundation. The Breast Health Center at Good Samaritan Hospital was the recipient of funds from the 5K for Kelly fundraiser that year. “This was before Breast Wishes was even created,” Synder said, which Hillman assisted in developing the board for. “Having Jan on the board is icing on the cake.” Since joining the board in January, Snyder said Hillman already has been instrumental in growing the organization into the future. “She knows how to organize a strategic plan, marketing plan and get us to where we see Breast Wishes,” Synder said. Breast Wishes now has a physical office in Vandalia where donors and wish recipients can come. It features an event space downstairs for hosting free monthly workshops for wish recipients. “We need more donors, more gifts, more wish recipients, and to go into underserved areas,” Snyder said. And if that’s not keeping Hillman busy enough, her social calendar is filled with everything from an upcoming vision quest in Sedona, Arizona; a sound bath in California; being in a fashion show in November; a concert in Phoenix, Arizona; speaking engagements and fundraising events. “I need a social secretary,” she said. Hillman calls herself an “equal opportunity healer,” and says she’ll try anything. She gets her energy from doing activities like Chinese meditation, yoga, reiki, gardening, prayer and seeing a chiropractor. “I have a desire to be outside and commune in nature,” Hillman said. She’s also a new proponent of afternoon naps. And of course, spending time with family and friends. She has four grandchildren, ages 10, 6, 5 and 3. She’s been putting messages in envelopes for her family members. Jan’s words of wisdom for life : “Think of things bigger than yourself.” “Love each other.” “Live for something bigger than yourself.” “Show the people you love that you love them.” “I don’t see the glass as half full or half empty, I see it as overflowing.” “Worry causes wrinkles and creates stress. Horses and dogs can sense it and I think cancer can too.” Jan’s specific advice for entrepreneurs: “Don’t grow too fast; you can’t be all things to all people.” “I learn by making mistakes.” “Hire people smarter than you and have a strategic plan.” “Not every client or customer is for you.” “Under promise and over deliver.” Story credit Dayton Business Journal linked below.

By Nancy Bowman A Tipp City resident has been named the new chair of the Breast Wishes Foundation , a nonprofit organization granting wishes to breast cancer patients in the Greater Miami Valley , including Miami County. Jan Hillman , founder of Hillman Associates, was elected as the new board chair, taking over from Ken Herr . She assumed the role with the organization in 2016  and officially retired on December 31, 2022 . “It is an honor and pleasure to serve as the Breast Wishes Foundation's board chair . I thoroughly embrace the foundation’s vision of granting 500 wishes by 2025 ,” Hillman said. Hillman Associates was founded in 1983  and closed at the end of 2020 . Hillman served as company CEO, providing advanced development and fundraising strategies, strategic planning, and board development services for nonprofit organizations — including hospitals, universities, and K-12 schools. Additionally, Hillman held leadership roles in hospitals and universities, including positions as vice president and chief integrating officer , vice president of advancement , and foundation president . Hillman, a two-time breast cancer thriver , describes herself as having a "strong, long-time passion for bringing awareness about breast cancer, advocating for breast cancer patients, and educating others about breast cancer detection." The Breast Wishes Foundation , founded in 2015 , works to bring joy to individuals living with breast cancer across Montgomery County  and surrounding areas. The organization grants wishes of up to $1,500  to patients in need. So far, the foundation has granted more than 200 wishes  and continues to build partnerships within the breast cancer support network. Herr, who is from Dayton, has worked in sales, marketing, promotion, human resources, consulting, and executive leadership . He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Dayton MBA program . Hillman expressed her excitement about stepping into her new role alongside the foundation’s dedicated board members and volunteers. “We unite around the foundation’s mission of bringing joy to women living with breast cancer. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but with the generous support of our donors and grantors, I am confident that we will exceed our vision of 500 wishes granted by 2025 ," she said. For more information about the Breast Wishes Foundation , visit www.breastwishes.org . Story PDF Credit Below.

Miami Valley Hospital Foundation is honored to host Champions of Hope, an inspiring and uplifting recognition ceremony saluting four inspiring individuals for their achievements in the battle against cancer. The 2022 event took place at The Steam Plant in Dayton, Ohio, on October 11. Watch full video here or below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bjnbj5U4mw

Watch our founders in this video for Rays of Hope

Elesha Snyder and Mandi Moore were named Dayton Dragon's All Stars for their community service work with the 5k for Kelli and the Breast Wishes Foundation.