Jeanne Fitzmaurice: Stylish Crusader

Always true to her vision, Jeanne Fitzmaurice has dedicated herself to helping women who are enduring the realities of Stage IV breast cancer.

Several years ago, her cousin passed away from the disease, and through that experience Fitzmaurice came to understand the desires of women to retain their dignity and family dynamic at a time when their cancer spreads and cannot be contained.

With the vision of helping those who are living and dying through the progression of this disease, Fitzmaurice formed the Gal to Gal Foundation, dedicated to generating funds for existing organizations supporting those living with this least understood and least recognized phase of breast cancer. As the first national organization dedicating 100 percent of its resources to Stage IV causes, Fitzmaurice has set a goal of raising a million dollars over the next three years—and she’s well on her way.

To assure the fundraising success, Fitzmaurice formed Design-her Gals to celebrate women and the world of fashion and fun. On the website (designhergals.com ), users can design note cards and other paper products using images to replicate their likeness.

With Design-her Gals, everything in your closet always fits, and every day is a good hair day—even if you may have lost it all in chemo.

With more than 150,000 registered users—thanks, in part, to a plug from Oprah—Fitzmaurice, who works out of her home in Bend, Oregon, still finds time to answer almost every email personally to stay connected to her loyal base. Every sale rings up smiles for satisfied customers and support for the spirits of women in Stage IV.