Tell us about why you started Bright Pink and chose to support Stanford Medicine and Dr. Allison Kurian and Dr. Jennifer Caswell-Jin in continuing its legacy.

In 2006, I made history as the youngest woman in the country to undergo a risk-reducing double mastectomy—a decision driven by my BRCA1 gene mutation and a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer. Leading up to my surgery, I was struck by the profound lack of resources for women like me—those who hadn’t been diagnosed with cancer but were at high risk and eager to take proactive action to safeguard their health. That’s why in 2007, I founded Bright Pink, with a mission to turn breast and ovarian cancer awareness into action, giving young women the knowledge, tools, and support they need to take charge of their health.

Nearly two decades later, Bright Pink has grown far beyond my own story into a movement that has educated more than two million women and healthcare providers, provided unmatched emotional support to thousands of high-risk young women, catalyzed systemic change in health equity through our Venture Philanthropy Fund and inspired countless individuals nationwide to believe in the possibility of prevention. The ripple effect of those who took action and changed their lives because they were empowered to do so because of Bright Pink is far beyond what I ever could have dreamed possible. When it came time to find a partner to carry this legacy forward, our Board and I conducted an extensive nationwide search to identify a passionate, committed team to steward our mission into its next chapter.

Long before we formally connected, Dr. Kurian and Dr. Caswell-Jin were already using Bright Pink’s resources to empower their patients with personalized health strategies, demonstrating that their understanding of our mission wasn’t just conceptual—it was lived out in their everyday work as physicians, guiding women at increased risk to have the conversations that could save their lives. Drs. Kurian and Caswell-Jin stood out not only for their exceptional leadership and groundbreaking research but also for their hands-on, patient-centered approach to care. They wake up every day carrying the same mission that has driven Bright Pink from its founding: saving women’s lives from breast and ovarian cancer. As researchers, they are shaping the future of cancer prevention, but as clinicians, they understand the urgency of making a difference now. Their accomplished track record of creating and scaling interventions focused on turning young women’s breast and ovarian health knowledge into life-saving action through personalized risk assessment and management, all with a deep commitment to health equity, perfectly aligns with our strategic focus and mission. The team is having a tangible impact on the lives of those they serve and leading the way in shaping national practice guidelines.

We couldn’t be more confident that under their leadership, our mission will continue to evolve, transforming lives on a scale we once only dreamed of.

What is the PROACT program at Stanford and what excites you about the impact it will make for families?

The Preventive Risk Outreach And Cascade Testing (PROACT) Program at Stanford Medicine is all about making genetic testing a seamless part of the patient experience, especially for those at risk of hereditary cancers like breast and ovarian. PROACT uses cascade genetic testing—a process that identifies genetic mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 in one individual and extends testing to their family members—integrating it directly into clinical care at the point of cancer diagnosis. This approach ensures that more families can understand their risk and take proactive steps to protect their health.

PROACT is built on the proven platform of Stanford’s GIFT trial, led by Drs. Kurian and Caswell-Jin, which substantially increased cascade testing participation rates, with the great majority of mutation carriers. PROACT aims to take this success even further by making the platform more nimble and personalized through tech-enabled innovations, ensuring that families receive the tailored support they need to make informed, life-saving decisions.

What excites me most about PROACT is its potential to make proactive health decisions the norm for families everywhere, particularly in underserved communities. Through innovative tools and personalized support, the program intends to go beyond simply identifying genetic risks—it guides patients and their loved ones on a journey toward informed, life-saving decisions. PROACT is more than just a continuation of Bright Pink’s mission—it’s a powerful expansion of it, aiming to transform how we prevent hereditary cancers and reduce their impact on generations to come.

What would you like to share with the Under One Umbrella community, which has helped support many women facing breast or gynecologic cancer?

To the Under One Umbrella community, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your incredible dedication to advancing breast and gynecologic cancer research and care. The work you do reaches so many women and families, giving them access to critical resources and support when they need it most. Your efforts create real, tangible impact that makes a difference in their lives.

At Bright Pink, our focus has always been on empowering women to take charge of their health before cancer becomes a threat. It’s clear that Under One Umbrella shares this commitment to proactive care and innovative solutions. Together, we’re not just responding to the challenges women face today—we’re building a future where every woman has the knowledge and tools to protect her health. I’m honored to stand alongside such a dedicated community as we work to transform women’s health for generations to come.

To learn more about PROACT, please visit http://proactprogram.org/.