Winner of Survivor: Makeover Campaign Announced

Fort Myers resident Betty Geeding to receive full dental, cosmetic makeover

FORT MYERS, Fla. (October 31, 2007) - The Survivor: Makeover campaign, a program that recognizes one local breast cancer survivor with a makeover for sharing how she turned her experience of hardship into something positive, is pleased to announce Fort Myers resident Betty Geeding as the winner. The campaign generated nearly 950 votes, with Geeding receiving 457 of them.

Geeding, one of five Survivor: Makeover finalists, shared with her readers her breast cancer journey and how, in the face of tragedy, she remained positive.  In February of 1999, she discovered she had breast cancer.  She went through treatment and a mastectomy.  However Geeding notes that that was not the worst part of her ordeal.  In August 1999, her 30-year-old daughter, Cindy, decided to have a mammogram and discovered she too had breast cancer.  Her treatment was not successful as Geeding’s; Cindy lost her battle to breast cancer just 11 months after her diagnosis, leaving behind a husband and three children.  From this, Cindy found the strength and courage to gather 70 people to walk for breast cancer and support the many others who had been diagnosed. 

“Cancer is an awful thing, but I have learned that life does go on and even though I think of my daughter everyday, I still live life to its fullest as she would have wanted,” says Geeding.  “I have asked the question ‘why her’ many times but there is no answer.  I always tell my kids ‘smile-the world loves happy people’ and that is how I live.”
“The Survivor: Makeover campaign served as a way to educate our community on the issue of breast cancer,” says Bonnie Olson, Executive Director of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southwest Florida. “We’d like to thank all of the courageous women who shared their stories with us.”

Geeding will receive a full dental makeover from Dr. Thomas Hale, a full cosmetic makeover from the Felix Andrew Salon and gift cards to Stein Mart and Pazzo! Italian Café.  The campaign, which garnered nearly 30 entries from local breast cancer survivors, served as a way to raise awareness of this disease during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

“Mrs. Geeding is very deserving of this win, “says Dr. Thomas P. Hale.  “We look forward to providing her with an outstanding dental makeover.”

“From her story, it is evident that Mrs. Geeding already shines on the inside,” says Felix Laquidara, owner of Felix Andrew Salon.  “Now, we can help her shine a bit more on the outside.”