Slide
Lola Brown

Lola Brown

Giving hope and support to someone living with cancer can make a big difference in their life.

Lola Brown

Lola Brown, a native of Denver, CO grew up in Columbia, SC. She attended Richland Northeast High School. While in school, she received honors to attend the South Carolina Governor’s School for academics and was named to the South Carolina All-State Band. You could also find Lola on the court scrambling for digs for the volleyball team or shooting hoops with her varsity basketball teammates.

She graduated from Richland Northeast High School with honors and received a music scholarship to attend the University of Georgia. While at UGA, she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she participated in various community service activities. Lola was talented and musically gifted. She was an accomplished pianist and a faithful Christian. She  served as an active member of First Northeast Baptist Church in Columbia, SC for several years where she played the piano and directed choirs.

Lola, began her professional career as a financial specialist in the banking industry, was promoted to portfolio manager, and later branch manager. In 2003, at the age of 28 years old, Lola discovered a lump in her breast as she conducted a breast-self exam. Doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer. She was a newlywed to Gilbert Jamal Brown and a new mother to a toddler, Gilbert Jamal Brown II, affectionately known as Gil.

Despite surgeries and years of chemotherapy, Lola continued to fight. She worked throughout her treatment and emphasized the importance of a healthy diet and exercise. During her spare time she worked as an aerobics instructor. She exemplified the true meaning of strength and courage and inspired others to embrace fitness.

Because of Lola’s generous spirit, passion to help find a cure, and desire to promote awareness about breast cancer to young women, she put together a team of family and friends. Through the years those teams raised more than $10,000 for cancer research, for survivors, and for those she called victors. In Oct. 2013, at 38 years old,  Lola became one of the victors. 

The Lola Brown Foundation continues the fight in honor of breast cancer survivors and in the spirit of those who are no longer with us.
Special Thanks To Our Partners

Special Thanks To Our Partners

It Takes A Village

South Carolina Cancer Alliance
South Carolina Cancer Alliance

South Carolina Cancer Alliance

CDC National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Grant DP1701
CDC National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Grant DP1701

CDC National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Grant DP1701

Slide
The Mission

The Mission

Cancer was nothing more than a chapter in my life’s story. It would never be my life’s story. - Robin Roberts.

The Lola Brown Foundation’s mission is to empower and honor young women and families affected by breast cancer through scholarship and awareness.

Celebration Video

Celebration Video

Lola Brown was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 at 28 years old. Through years of remission and recurrences, she courageously and gracefully battled the disease and entered eternal rest in October of 2013 at 38 years old.

The Facts

The Facts

1Did you know...

Each year, approximately 70 thousand men and women ages 15 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer in the US.

2Did you know...

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in this age group.

3Did you know...

Compared to older women, young women generally face more aggressive cancers and lower survival rates.

4Did you know...

Since breast cancer occurs at a much lower rate among young women than in older counterparts, young women remain underrepresented in research.

5Did you know...

Women ages 15 to 34 and 35 to 54 die more frequently from breast cancer than any other cancer.

6Did you know...

African American women under age 35 have rates of breast cancer two times higher than Caucasian women under age 35.

7Did you know...

It is estimated that 13,110 cases of breast cancer will be in women under age 40.

Thank you for everything you do!

Paint The Town Pink

« 1 of 4 »

 

 

Why We Fight

Why We Fight

“We will cry sometimes, but I hope that the difficulty we face never outweighs our desire to smile and live!!``
-Lola Brown

  • 1

    STRENGTH

    The Lola Brown Foundation was created through the spirit of Lola’s commitment to help find a cure for breast cancer and her strong belief in breast cancer awareness for young women.

    Share
  • 2

    Support

    Her vision is to always support those in the fight and to honor those who fought.
    --We are a 501(c)(3) EIN:47-3884823--

    DONATE
Why We Need You

Why We Need You

“I see my scars as a sign of all that He has brought me through not just physically but in my relationship with Him. I am proud to wear my scars as a badge of honor.``
-Lola Brown

The Lola Brown Foundation Gala

Lola Brown wanted to use her diagnosis as a testimony to help others affected by breast cancer. The Lola Brown Foundation Gala is the foundation’s signature fundraiser. The gala will feature keynote speakers affected by cancer and is an event where scholarships and awards will be rewarded. Ticket sales from the gala will help fund scholarships and awards.

Paint The Town Pink

Through years of remission, recurrences, aggressive chemotherapy, and surgeries, Lola courageously and gracefully battled breast cancer. Her message to women- “check your boobies.” Each year, she gathered a team of friends and family to participate in breast cancer awareness walks to raise money for breast cancer research. Lola also created the Paint the Town Pink weekend, which is a celebration of survivors and a remembrance of those who are no longer with us. Now, in her honor we continue the Paint the Town Pink weekend and raise money for The Lola Brown Foundation, her namesake, to help fund her vision.

Lola's Words Of Love

Lola's Words Of Love

During a TV interview, Lola Brown encouraged women to perform breast self- exams and to get screened for breast cancer.

THE LBF ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

THE LBF ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP

1Who:

Will award a high school senior(s) with funds to attend college

2Requirement:

Applicant must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA

3Provide:

Scholarship is awarded after proof of enrollment
2021 Application

2021 Application

Submit Your Forms Today!

  • 2021 LBF Scholarship Application

    Please download, complete, and submit forms VIA email to info@lolabrownfoundation.org on or before April 27, 2021

    2021 LBF Scholarship App

“I share my testimony in hopes to encourage you — to know that whatever you’re going through, if you just trust and wait patiently on the Lord, you can overcome any storm. If you just hold on and keep your faith, you can even dance in the rain!”
-Lola Brown

Best Chance Network

Lola Brown Foundation

South Carolina’s Best Chance Network is an early detection program that provides breast and cervical cancer screenings. For more information about screenings and how the program can benefit you, click here!

Pampered Pink

Pampered Pink

1Who:

The LBF will identify those in need based on financial, or medical hardship through breast cancer organizations and support groups

2Why:

To pamper and assist women between the ages of 18 to 40 who are affected by breast cancer

3How:

Will donate a Pampered Pink spa gift certificate to someone battling breast cancer
THE LBF EDUCATION INITIATIVE

THE LBF EDUCATION INITIATIVE

The Lola Brown Foundation's purpose is to empower young women to ``check their boobies,`` and to offer scholarships to those affected by breast cancer.

The Lola Brown Breast Self-Check Day

At the age of 28, Lola Brown discovered a lump in her breast during a breast self-check while taking a shower. If she had not discovered the lump, she would not have received early treatment, which allowed her to live 10 more years after her diagnosis. Lola stressed the importance of early detection and breast self-exams and wanted to educate young women that they too could be diagnosed with breast cancer even under the age of 40. In honor of her push for awareness, The LBF is currently working with South Carolina lawmakers and school districts to educate high school seniors on the importance of breast self-exams. The goal is to have a certified health professional talk to students about breast self-exams and breast cancer. Those students can only participate in the 30 to 45 minute session if they have signed parental/guardian consent forms. The day will be held in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and will be known as The Lola Brown Breast Self-Check Day.

Contact Us

Contact Us

“Through all of this, I recognize the essence of real BEAUTY and true STRENGTH.”
-Lola Brown

Email

info@lolabrownfoundation.org jphillips@lolabrownfoundation.org

Address

The Lola Brown Foundation P.O. Box #24467 Columbia, SC 29224