To contribute to the elimination of breast cancer a charitable fund, with an objective of $300,000 in annual donations and charitable distributions, was recently created by a Middleburg-area resident. The Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Fund has been established and placed with the Piedmont Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are eligible for a tax deduction.

Delaplane's James P. Atkins, whose late wife was a breast cancer victim, conceived the fund as a means to help prevent the disease in others. "I lived with the impacts of breast cancer for nine years," he said, "and since Cheryl left us I have wanted to do more to help eliminate the disease. Now I can.

"So many women suffer from breast cancer in our community," he continued, "but I could find no local fund specific to this need. With our new Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Fund, we will conduct fundraising events and directly solicit funds from local residents. Monies collected will be disbursed annually to worthy local and national recipients whose work has impact for citizens in Fauquier and Loudoun Counties.

"As the Establishing Donor," Atkins said, "I am just the initiator and the lead for the Fund's activities." A Donor Advisory Committee will work with Jim to select the organizations to be recommended for charitable distribution.

Committee members are Mary Jo Jackson of Rectortown, a breast cancer survivor, Lizanne Driskill whose mother, Nanette White, died of breast cancer, and Sandi Atkins, wife of Jim Atkins.

"Our objective is to do all we can to ensure that our daughters, our sisters, our mothers, and our friends do not fall victim to this horrible disease," Atkins said. "Our community can do so much for this cause and our people are so generous, I am very confident we will reach our $300,000 objective on time."

The Piedmont Community Foundation Directors are pleased to work with Jim and his advisory committee to make the charitable distributions in support of preventing breast cancer.

The Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Fund's first fundraising solicitation will be mailed in February with its first public event scheduled in concert with the Middleburg Spring Races on April 21, 2007. Donations will be requested in return for attendance at a tent on the hill for lunch and an exciting afternoon of racing.

"In 2008, we are planning a bigger event," Atkins said, "to put us well on the way to achieving our first established financial goal. We believe, as our community joins with us in bringing donations to the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Fund in loving memory of those we have lost in the past, and in heartfelt hope for those we will save in the future, our ultimate goal of breast cancer prevention will be the reality we achieve together."

Donations to the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Fund will be gratefully accepted by check or charge card. Checks should be written to the Breast Cancer Fund/PCF and sent to Piedmont Community Foundation, PO Box 402, Middleburg, VA 20118. Call 540 687 5223 to make your gift via charge card. For information about fundraising activities please contact Jim Atkins at 703 447 2302.

For information regarding fund administration please call Karen Krei at PCF, 540 687 5223.