At Vionic, support is at the heart of our company philosophy – and that promise extends beyond the relief provided by our shoes.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we’re giving away 50 pairs of shoes to women across the country who have touched our hearts and soles with their courage and compassion.
We invite you to nominate someone in your life who’s inspired you, whether she’s battled illness herself or helped others through their struggles. We’ll choose 50 heroic individuals to receive free shoes as a thank you for their support!
In the Comments section below, tell us why your friend or family member needs our support. Is she battling cancer while raising awareness? Is she the mother of a child fighting the same diseases? How is she (or he!) inspiring you?
*We’ll be taking submissions until October 15th. We’re taking the time to approve all comments, so please be patient – it may take an hour or so for your comment to show up! We ask that you refrain from using last names in your comment post, because all comments are public. Please see our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions. Thank you!*
To learn more about Vionic Supports, visit https://www.vionicshoes.com/giving-back.
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Mary is an inspiration to all of us. She is the president of a local cancer foundation and she tirelessly works to raise money for cancer patients in our county. Even in the face of an injury, she was the driving force behind their biggest project to compile, print and sell cookbooks. To date, she has by far outsold all of her committee members. She is dedicated to her foundation to support our community through providing items such as wigs and prosthetics or financial assistance for medical and/or living expenses. She is truly one of the most inspiring cancer survivors and advocates that I know. Her faith, kindness, compassion and strength is an inspiration to all who know her.
Lezlie Harris
My Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer this year. After surgery and radiation she was deemed safe. During the entire time she never let on that she was struggling or down. She held her head so high that even I, a nurse practitioner, sometimes for got she was ill. She is amazing and strong and beautiful. I have no idea how she manages to be both my rock and my safest place at the same time as those two terms sound so opposite.
Linda Hicks
I would like to nominate my longtime friend, Nancy Hutchinson. She is a breast cancer survivor. We’ve been like sisters since we were wee ones. Our families vacationed together and her sweet mom taught me how to play the piano. She has a large family, takes care of everyone including her parents, is an award-winning early childhood educator, daughter, wife, mom, sister, grandma, and one of the best friends anyone could ever hope to have. She told me that her faith has pulled her through some dark days, and we all know she “walks the talk.” When I saw her in May, she gave me one of the scarves she wore in a cancer walk. I will cherish it, and her, for my entire life. Blessings to you, Nancy, and your entire family! I love you!
Myra May
I would like to nominate my cousin, Brenda Sue Starling. She helped her mother all the years she battled breast cancer and other health problems. Then at 66, she got breast cancer and it was very hard for her and emotional. Of course, it was scary, since she had seen her mother go through it over and over. She cried a lot and finally was able to get through it. Now she is cancer free (about 4 years later) and a new grandmother. Lots of joy and happiness have come with the grandbaby. So, after unhappy, scary, times in your life, wonderful, joyful times can come. Don’t give up!
Grace
My 81yo mother is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed and surgically cured in 2006. She is spry and quite agile, as she is the nanny of my 2yo son because she chooses to. My son gives her so much joy, even though he sometimes runs her a little ragged. As the boy is becoming aware of some differences between men and women, he notices the fact that his grandmother has only one breast, She tells him she had a boo-boo, and the doctor took it away to make her better. However, as she tries to keep up with him, and occasionally limps from plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendinitis, the little boy is concerned that a doctor will take away her foot because of her boo-boo there – I believe a shoe to align my aging mother’s foot and stance will return some of her youth, and spare her little grandchild grief of seeing her suffer and thinking a doctor will do to her foot what he did to her breast. (ha!)
Janice McEwen
I know this is selfish but I nominate myself. I fought for a year with my insurance company to get my BRAC genes done. After being turned down three times I finally was approved for testing. Guess what ,after the insurance company said I did’t have enough family members to warrant the testing I tested POSITIVE. I was accepted as a patient at MD Anderson hospital in Houston and with in 11 months was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. Imagine what would have happened if I let the insurance company run my life!!!
I have had bilateral mastectomies and complete reconstruction. Because it was caught early I need no chemo. Thank you, God.
It has been a tough road, multiple surgeries and ER visits, and not being able to do the things I used to. My life has changed but I am strong and I AM TOUGHER THAN BREAST CANCER!!! I try to talk with others who are like me and encourage them to take charge of their lives and be proactive with BRAC testing. Thank you for listening to me, and yes I really do wear Vionic shoes!
Susan Schmidt
My hero is my sister-in-law, Susan. In the 30 years I’ve known her, she’s happily given her time and labor to improve life in her adopted city, Chicago. She works to send impoverished girls to camp every summer, gardens public spaces near her home and decorates them for the holidays. She has worked as an election judge at the polling places for decades. She never had any complaint about hard work. She could, however, get preoccupied with everyday aches and pains. After she seemed to see herself on every page of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” my brother started calling it “The Book of Symptoms.”
This year we have really seen what this former Iowa farm girl is made of. Susan was to have an intestinal cancer that required major surgery on several organs. She’s two-thirds the way through 12 sessions of chemotherapy. Always trim, complications have her struggling to keep her weight from slipping dangerously low. Susan has borne this ordeal with amazing grit and good humor. She’s refused to let it get in the way of what she wants to do in life. One of her first trips out of the house was to nosebleed seats at a long-awaited Cher concert. She’s been gardening, and nothing was going to stop her from getting those girls off to camp in August.
Joann Vanderpool
My grandson has MS. He is a young man of 28, is married and had two children. Ava will be two on October 25 and His son Roman was born last Saturday. He is concerned that he will “cave in” before he can raise and support his children. His wife. Jessica also works. They are new home owners and are working hard to be good parents and make a happy life for their family. MS gradually takes away his strength. He currently wear braces on his knees so he can put in a successful work day. This diseased needs a cure, Thank you so very much for you kind efforts.
Christina Flood
I would like to nominate my good friend Sheri. Sheri just finished her COURAGOUS battle with breast cancer and during the whole journey she was an inspiration to so many of us. Sheri remained positive and was always there for others even though it was her that needed people to be there for her (but than again that’s who she is – always there for others no matter what battles she may be facing) – no matter how sick she was she always seemed to have a smile on her face and a glow in her heart, she really showed us all how with the right attitude you can make it through any storm. While taking her kids to sports, volunteering at the school, baking treats for others, making meals and cleaning the house she still battled her cancer with a smile on her face, even though she had to take a leave of absence from work yet there was never a leave of absence from bills she still remained hopeful and full of life. Sheri has the biggest heart that is ALWAYS giving to others and I would LOVE to see her be on the receiving end for once. She sure has made me realize how courageous and strong you can be when you have a faith and heart like hers.
Sharon And Jerry Cornell
We nominate our daughter Carrie. A loving mother, grandmother, wife and company executive and an inspirational force for good in her community, underwent breast removal and reconstruction while remaining totally involved in her committed life to not let cancer slow her down. Ten years ago cancer was detected resulting in breast removal. Carrie soldiered on throughout as though her problem was an inconvenience and continued to mentor others with lessor problems and maintained a full schedule at her company. Carrie’s love for her community and others transcended her own cancer and even though seriously ill she never once voiced a complaint to anyone that life had dealt her an unfair hand. She truly epitomizes the saying–she made lemonade out of lemons. Our town loves her, she has no enemies and is a truly inspirational person. Her cancer is still in remission.
Nancy Martinucci
I am proud to nominate my sister-in-law, Licia, who is the toughest woman I know. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001…the first time. She faced it head on and went right into radiation and chemotherapy. They thought they could get it with out surgery, which was a relief because, at only 4’11” and 90 lbs soaking wet, it was especially hard to treat her. When it was over, we were so happy and relieved that she had made it through. She had a “bleep cancer” party to gather friends and family together to celebrate. Though the cancer was gone, she stayed very connected to her “Breast Friends”, a support group she met while undergoing treatment. A few years later, her symptoms returned and she learned she carried the BRCA-1 gene. A terrible blow. She decided she had no choice but to have a double-mastectomy, ovaries removed and begin radiation and chemotherapy again. Though children would not be in her future, she has been a tremendous auntie to all her nieces and nephews, and supporter of all those women who she knows fighting this battle. No one should have to face this disease once, much less twice, but she has done so with courage, strength and most of all, humor. She is a true inspiration.
Richelle ODonnell
I would like to nominate an amazing mother of three and wife…Erin. I believe Erin was diagnosed a little over a year ago. She has faced the challenge with grace and dignity that I think is a true fear for all women. I am sure the physical challenge as well as the mental challenges of a diagnosis and treatment are exhausting. Erin, with the support of her family, seems to face the treatment with a positive outlook while keeping her family life as normal as possible. Erin is a nurse, a gracious women, an inspiring mother and wife, a true inspiration!
David Schoenbauer
I would like to nominate my wife Holly. My wife is a mover and a shaker. From taking care of our two kids to running the county Help me grow program, to running the local MS Walk. She is so busy she rarely takes a moment for herself. Her true passion is infertility awareness and support. When we lost our first child, she became educated and started working in a community to support other mothers who had loss or struggled with getting pregnant. She has always been a shoulder to cry on for these woman. She is one of those souls that are always willing to help.
Angie Wright
Jasmine is my hero, my co-worker, and my friend who works with both breast cancer fighters and survivors fitting them with post-mastectomy products. This job requires compassion, understanding, and sensitivity, all of which Jasmine exemplifies EVERY day with EVERY patient. Jasmine prays every morning for the patients she will be encountering and for wisdom in discerning what they need physically AND emotionally. She always has a smile on her face that radiates kindness and countless patients have thanked her for the feeling of dignity, respect, and love she gives them. Jasmine’s goal in life is to become a surgeon and i believe this to be her true calling! I hope one day all cancers will be cured, but in the meantime she is a blessing and I am so proud of her!