Melodie Wilson, Founder

The Power of One-to-One

In 1999, building on her belief in “the power of One-to-One,” Melodie Wilson gathered together a group of women affected by breast cancer and created ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. From the outset, ABCD committed to compassionately pair breast cancer patients with trained mentor volunteers with similar demographic and diagnosis backgrounds. Shortly after its inception, support services were available for caregivers, too. From her initial battle with breast cancer in 1992 and again 14 years later with an aggressive recurrence, Melodie understood the terrifying reality of a breast cancer diagnosis and the irreplaceable need for One-to-One help, hope and support.

Until Breast Cancer Has a Cure

A former television news anchor and consummate journalist, Melodie tirelessly followed breast cancer research efforts aimed at better treatments, prevention and early diagnosis. Despite significant progress on these fronts, Melodie recognized that, absent a cure for breast cancer, there would always be a vital role for breast cancer support. She argued that ABCD should be part of the standard care for breast cancer patients, assuring that no one ever face that experience alone. “We look forward to a day when ABCD is no longer needed,” Melodie said, “but we know that’s a long way off.”

EXTENSIVE Community Involvement

In addition to founding ABCD, Melodie has been involved in a number of organizations related to breast cancer and community service. She played a leadership role in establishing the Milwaukee affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, serving as the board’s founding President. She also served as Chair of the 2001 Komen Milwaukee Race for the Cure® and Honorary Chair of that race in 1999 and 2000. The founding Chair of the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center Advisory Board, Melodie received a Champion of Women’s Health Award from the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation in 2008 and an honorary Doctorate from Lakeland College in 2001.