WICHITA, Kansas, May 1, 2008 – Few people in Wichita would have been surprised by George Fahnestock’s involvement in the KSN Dream House for the Cure. He’s a volunteer extraordinaire. And it wasn’t just one, but two women who convinced him to join the fight.

Agreeing to donate the heating, air, plumbing and electrical work for KSN’s Dream House for the Cure was an easy decision for George Fahnestock. He only had to think of Jill and Julie to say yes.

“A very close friend, who lost a valiant battle and a very very good friend who is now one of those we can call a survivor,” George said.

George lost his friend Jill Southern five years ago to breast cancer. Since then, Jill has actually become and icon in the war against the disease in Wichita. She was the inspiration for Cuisine for the Cure and the money that event raises will be donated in her honor.

Luckily, the other friend of The Fahnestock family is here today to tell her story.

“I thought, ‘God is telling me I need to make this appointment,’” said Julie Porter.

Two years ago, the lump she found while in the shower led to a breast cancer diagnosis, mastectomy, chemo and today, survival.

“I am all done,” Julie said. “I am completely 100 percent done as of last Friday.” “I think the worst part was having to tell my kids, because we had just lost an uncle the year before to pancreatic cancer and to them, cancer meant death.”

With the support of her family and friends, Julie found the strength not only to inform her children, but to assure them that none of them were alone in the battle.

“I have two best friends who were both in our wedding and they didn't know it, but they had breast cancer and they are survivors,” Julie said. “My sister-in-law fought breast cancer and she's a survivor. I said, ‘look at all the people that you didn't know had breast cancer who have it and are survivors, we're gonna beat this thing.’”

Julie now serves as the example of what can happen if early detection is taken seriously.

“Thank God it's in remission right now and she's doing well,” George said.

In Julie’s case, breast cancer did not run in the family, so she had no reason at the age of 49 to think she was at high risk. However, everyone must remember most breast cancer cases in women occur with no family history. Only five to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are believed to be inherited.