Breast Cancer Recovery is pleased to announce our 2019 Ann Haney Award recipient, Joan Kamholz. The award is inspired by our founder Ann Haney. The award was presented at our Party on the Pier: Big Win!, Thursday, May 9 at the Edgewater Hotel.

The nomination committee was so inspired by the journey of all our 2019 nominees, and all they do to support women with breast cancer in your community.

How Joan's journey has been an inspiration to others

In 2007, as Joan Kamholz was planning her retirement from 30 years of law enforcement, she heard four words that changed her life forever, You have breast cancer. Her entire world came to a sudden halt. Her joyous planning and excitement came to an end while she took on, one more fight! But she wasn’t going to let cancer take control of my life, she kicked cancer’s, had a clean bill of health and in July 2007, she retired as planned from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. At an early age she was driven to the law enforcement field because she wanted to help others and make a difference. As law enforcement officer, Joan took the oath to serve and protect, it becomes part of who she is, on or off the job, active or retired, she carried it with her always. You would not be surprised then, that in 2008, Joan started Justice for a Cure as a way for the law enforcement family to get more involved with the community by, educating, bringing awareness, supporting survivors and those going through their journey, honoring those taken, and raising funds to support local cancer programs, and support cancer research to find the cures for cancer. In the past 11 years, Joan has grown this organization leaps and bounds and saved lives in the process!

Joan's contributions to her community.

What began in the Dane County Sheriff's Office is quickly growing in the state of Wisconsin and across the U.S.. Her commitment and passion is endless in an effort to reach out to help those going through the cancer journey, and to encourage more law enforcement participation and the benefits of their participation. In addition to the previous questions listed of contributions, Joan has served on several Susan G. Komen for a Cure committees, has received several honors such as the Ann Haney Award in 2013. In May 2011, she was selected as the Honorary Bat Girl for Major League Baseball-Milwaukee Brewers for Susan G. Komen. She has also assisted Breast Cancer Recovery as a facilitator at Infinite Boundaries Retreat, and was instrumental in establishing the first Celebration of Survivorship reunion with BCR retreat participants in 2016.

Joan's support other women diagnosed with breast cancer.

As the founder and president of "Justice For A Cure", a law enforcement program that she describes as "The law enforcement family doing their part to SERVE and PROTECT, in the fight against cancer", Joan has created awareness and fundraising program that benefits local cancer support programs, and supports cancer research. The funds she raised have been given to organizations such as: U.W. Carbone Cancer Research Center, Madison, WI Mayo Cancer Research Center, Rochester, MN Project 3 one, Oklahoma City, OK Breast Cancer Recovery, Madison, WI Susan G. Komen - Madison , Milwaukee & Wausau, WI - Roanoke, VA - Winston-Salem, NC Camp Kesem - Nationwide Angel On My Shoulder - St. Germain, WI