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Lola Brown Foundation urges breast cancer awareness for younger women

At age 38, Lola Brown died after a ten-year fight against breast cancer. A foundation established in her name is working to increase awareness among young women.
At age 38, Lola Brown died after a ten-year fight against breast cancer.

ATLANTA -- By the time she was 36 years old, Lola Brown was married, a mother of a young son and navigating a growing career.

She was also a two-time breast cancer survivor.

In 2011, Brown sat down with 11Alive's Blayne Alexander to talk about her repeated bouts with cancer. At the time, her cancer was in remission.

Sadly, two years later, the cancer returned for a third time, ultimately claiming Lola's life at age 38.

"I think Lola's story is very significant when it comes to people thinking, I'm 20 years old, I'm 30 years old - there's no way I can get breast cancer," said Jennifer Phillips, Lola's longtime friend.

Phillips, along with a host of friends and family, helped Lola navigate her ten-year battle with breast cancer. Now, Lola's biggest supporters are working to keep her memory alive by starting the Lola Brown Foundation.

Phillips is the foundation's executive director; their message is directed to young women: it's never too early to get checked.

"Lola was diagnosed at 28 years old," Phillips said. "Her message was always: it doesn't necessarily matter how old you are, you don't have to be 40 to think - I should get checked."

The foundation will collect money to help support the families of women who battle breast cancer. They are also working to provide scholarships to children who have lost their mother to the disease.

To learn more or donate to the Lola Brown Foundation, please visit the foundation's Facebook page.

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