Releases, Backgrounders and Statements

Sonia Kashuk's Story

I will never forget the moment when my life changed forever.  It was June 7, 2006, at precisely 8:30 p.m.

With my kids Jonah and Sadye out having dinner at a friend’s house, and my husband Daniel away at a business dinner, I was looking forward to a quiet relaxing evening to myself. Then the phone rang.  It was my breast surgeon, Dr. Leslie Montgomery.  She had been treating me for 6 ½ years at the Breast High Surveillance Program at Sloan Kettering, since I enrolled in the program after being diagnosed with carcinoma in situ, a pre-cancerous condition.  My strong family history of breast cancer also motivated me to join the program.  I lost my maternal grandmother from the disease, and my mother was diagnosed at 51, and had a double mastectomy.  I am grateful to say that today she is 76 years young and vibrant with an incredible zest for life.

Dr. Montgomery was calling about a recent biopsy I had after my last mammogram, which showed a change in calcifications.  At the time, my doctors were not alarmed, nor was I, as I had been through numerous biopsies in the past.  However, when I heard Dr. Montgomery’s voice on the phone, I knew the results were going to be very different.

“You have breast cancer,” she said.  As Dr. Montgomery started discussing my treatment options my head started spinning; all I could hear was, “You have breast cancer” over and over again.  I told Dr. Montgomery I would call her back in the next day or so.  I needed to pull myself together and try to understand how drastically my life had changed in that split second.

I sat there on my couch staring off into space, thinking how I always knew I was at high risk for breast cancer, but never believing I would actually become its victim.  In my heart and in my mind I knew I would be fine – early detection is key to surviving.  But my biggest concern was how would I tell my young children?  How would I ease their fears and assure them I was going to be fine?  Cancer is a scary enough word for adults, let alone children.  Daniel, whom has always been so supportive and strong, was fantastic and helped me immensely in choosing a treatment I was most comfortable with.

I chose to have a double mastectomy.  I chose to buy piece-of-mind.  I did not want to ever worry about the cancer returning.  I had spent 6 ½ years having mammograms, sonograms and MRI’s every three months, and I had had enough.  As I sit here now looking back over the last year, I am grateful for all that has happened.  I feel strong and healthy.  I am a fighter, and now am embarking on a new fight.

Target has always given me a voice to educate women on beauty, and now they have given me the opportunity to use my voice to fight against breast cancer.  I have joined forces with Target to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and genetic research worldwide. This October, I will be offering a special brush set, cosmetic bag and toiletries case at Target stores nationwide to raise money to support breast cancer research.  I am most honored and proud to tell you that 100% of the profits will be donated to BCRF.

I ask you from deep within my heart and soul to help me in this fight to raise awareness and money for breast cancer.

Sincerely,

Sonia Kashuk

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,502 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

About the BCRF
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and genetic research.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $160 million to support scientists at top universities and academic medical centers worldwide conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research that will lead to prevention and a cure in our lifetime.  A minimum of 85 cents of each dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs.  BCRF is currently funding over 115 researchers across the U.S. and in Canada, Latin America, Israel, and throughout Europe. Money magazine named BCRF one of America’s eight top charities.  And for the sixth consecutive year, BCRF received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, four stars, thus outperforming most other charities in America.  For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.