Nov. 7--Breast Cancer Network of Strength, formerly Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, will present its first "Champions of Strength" awards on Sunday during "The Journey Continues" fashion show.

The awards will be presented to a breast cancer survivor and medical professional who have made significant contributions to the mission of the organization during the previous year.

The first recipients will be survivor Bekki Crippen and surgeon, Dr. Charles Portera Jr.

Ms. Crippen of Wildwood, Ga., raised more than $4,000 for the organization at the Walk to Empower event on Mother's Day.

Dr. Portera, surgical oncologist with Chattanooga Surgical Oncology, was selected for his support of the organization and patients. Dr. Portera has served on the BCNS board of directors and refers every patient to Network of Strength so that they may take advantage of the emotional and practical support services provided.

The Journey Continues will be held at 2 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Tickets are $50 per person.

For more information, call 629-2445.

-----

To see more of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timesfreepress.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.