Our Keynote Speaker: Shannon Miller
Olympic Champion Shannon Miller To Speak at 4th Annual She ROCKS Luncheon
She ROCKS, a local 501c3 dedicated to raising money to fund research for ovarian cancer, announced that Olympic champion Shannon Miller will be the keynote speaker at the 2017 She ROCKS Luncheon. The 4th annual event will be held October 11, 2017 at the Wilmington Convention Center.
She ROCKS (Research Ovarian Cancer Knowledge Support) exists to bring awareness and attention to ovarian cancer through funding groundbreaking research, and by helping women who are undergoing treatment for cancer. The organization is solely committed to these pursuits and it gives every penny that it takes in toward these goals.
Since its inception in 2014, She ROCKS has raised more than $560,000, including nearly $200,000 in 2016. The nonprofit has given $326,000 to UNC Lineberger Cancer Center to fund ovarian cancer research, and gifted 39 chemo chairs to the new infusion suite at the recently renovated NHRMC Zimmer Cancer Center. Additionally, She ROCKS funds various support initiatives for patients undergoing chemotherapy, including monthly gas cards, wig purchases, and Tervis Tumblers to remind patients to stay hydrated through treatment.
“We started with a personal passion and a vision,” said Quinn, “and then took our message to our community. The generous response has been beyond our wildest dreams, and it just keeps growing. Bringing a speaker of Shannon Miller’s stature to our luncheon shows how much momentum is behind our efforts. We are profoundly grateful.”
The most decorated Olympic gymnast in American history, Shannon Miller won seven Olympic medals, nine World Championship medals and is a member of 11 Halls of Fame. She is the only female athlete to be inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame twice. She was honored for her individual accomplishments in 2006 and as part of the team in 2008. Miller is also a noted TV personality and radio host, an author, and an entrepreneur who runs a thriving namesake business: Shannon Miller Lifestyle.
Miller also quickly points with pride to her other distinguished titles: wife, mother and cancer survivor.
After retiring from Olympic competition, Miller received her undergraduate degrees in marketing and entrepreneurship from the University of Houston and her law degree from Boston College. She then moved from Olympic athlete to advocate for the health and wellness of women and children.
Central to this mission, she launched Shannon Miller Lifestyle: Health and Fitness for Women, along with a series of fitness books, DVDs, and a content-based website in July 2010. With programs, partnerships, and articles, Miller seeks to empower women to make their health a priority through education and awareness.
In January 2011, Miller was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. She had the baseball size tumor removed successfully and followed up with an aggressive chemotherapy regimen. She is now cancer-free and remains open and public about her diagnosis and treatment.
“She ROCKS promotes the duty of women to help one another in whatever ways possible,” said Miller. “What a perfect complement to my organization’s goal of creating partnerships and programs that educate, motivate and inspire all women to be their best.”
“We are so honored to have Shannon Miller speak at our luncheon,” said Beth Quinn, who founded She ROCKS with Mary Barto and Tracy Brown. “Shannon’s story of hope, strength and perseverance is universal. It resonates with cancer patients, to be sure, but also serves as a reminder to everyone. People rave about her inspirational message and warmth, and we in Wilmington are very fortunate to be able to hear her speak in person.”
[Written by Odette Arnold]