Darcy Russell’s friend Donna didn’t beat breast cancer.

She struggled for six years to overcome an illness that would eventually claim her life on a regular September day in 2007 – a disease that affects one out of every eight women.

“I knew the moment her kids were born, and the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer she called me,” said Russell, who is a professor of biology at Baker.

Russell had known Donna for years. They started Baker the same year; they were in the same pledge class. They even went to the same university for graduate school.

“We’ve just always been friends,” said Russell, who also lost another friend, Dawn, to breast cancer. “I look around and wonder who else it’s going to be.”

A REGULAR SEPTEMBER DAY

A month before Donna died, Russell and some of her closest friends prepared a care package to give to the struggling wife and mother.

In it, they placed old photos of the group from college. They tried to rehash old memories of happier times.

"We kind of knew," Russell said of her friend's death. "But it's amazing how hard you try not to accept it when it's someone you love."<br/>Russell keeps a photo from that day sitting on her desk in Mulvane Science Hall.Russell keeps a photo from that day sitting on her desk in Mulvane Science Hall.
Russell keeps a photo from that day sitting on her desk in Mulvane Science Hall.

“This summer I was able to make my pilgrimage to where they are and deal with my grief,” Russell said of the two friends she lost this past year.

A LIFELONG PASSION

Instead of spending her life grieving for Donna, Russell decided to fight back.<br/>She quickly organized a drive to help combat breast cancer through Yoplait yogurt'sShe quickly organized a drive to help combat breast cancer through Yoplait yogurt's
She quickly organized a drive to help combat breast cancer through Yoplait yogurt’s

Save Lids to Save Lives program.

“Sometimes we do things out of duty or because we intellectually know it’s the right thing to do, until it really impacts us,” said Russell who has always been supportive of her sorority’s, Zeta Tau Alpha, philanthropy. “I think I had a revelation in losing Donna.”

The yogurt with the pink lids will soon be sold in the Wildcat Café for $1, in an effort to raise money for a cure.

“We’ll have a place for people to deposit their lids,” Russell said. “Yoplait will then make a contribution to the Susan G. Komen foundation.”

MAKING PEOPLE AWARE

When Catering Coordinator Tanya Sieber received a phone call from Russell asking for help with the project, she didn’t even think twice.

“There seemed like no reason not to do it,” Sieber said. “It seemed like a no-brainer.”

Sieber agreed to help because of the cause, because of the impact that breast cancer has on families, on lives. Mostly, she agreed to help because of her friendship with Russell.

“My interest in pursuing it is kind of piggybacked on Darcy’s experience,” she said. “Any program that she is passionate about is worth getting involved in.”

The two also sought help from Ruth Sarna, director of student health services, in conjunction with the activities she has planned for October – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“I was excited because I was trying to get some things together for the month,” she said. “I think so many of us have had breast cancer touch our lives, that it becomes something for us to get involved in.”

PROMOTING PINK

The next time students see Russell on campus, she’ll probably be wearing pink.

“I’ve always been more of a blue, turquoise kind of gal,” she said. “I’m going to try to wear pink more often. I was never a pink kind of girl, but I think it keeps people aware.”

It keeps people aware of the damage breast cancer can do to someone’s life, Russell said.

"It always hit my head that it was the right thing to do, but now it hits my heart," she said.<br/>In organizing the project, Russell is honoring one of her best friends.In organizing the project, Russell is honoring one of her best friends.
In organizing the project, Russell is honoring one of her best friends.

“I don’t think I’ll ever lose the spirit for it,” said Russell, who also participates in the Kansas City Race for a Cure. “It’s just something embedded in me now. This is a crusade I’m invested in.”

Russell still thinks about her friend Donna, often. She remembers the life she led and the memories they’ve made. Mostly though, she remembers the disease that claimed her life.

“I always thought she’d beat it,” she said. “It never occurred to me that she wouldn’t win. And then she didn’t.”