Alumna Laurie Reiskind ‘83 Honored During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Laurie Reiskind '83, a proud Shorecrest alumna and alumni parent, celebrates five years cancer-free following treatment for breast cancer discovered during a routine mammogram. Laurie was honored by the Hadassah St. Petersburg Chapter during Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2023. 

Laurie's three-decade involvement with Hadassah, an American Jewish and Zionist women's volunteer organization, includes leadership roles such as Past President of the young women's group and Chapter Board member. Reflecting on her roots in leadership, Laurie said, "Clearly my beginnings of leadership started at Shorecrest." Her leadership roles in high school, including class representative for Student Council, President of the International Club, and a member of Jr. Exchange Club, shaped her path. 

Her commitment to leadership was passed down to her son Jeremy Reiskind '13 - named Outstanding Senior for his class - whose roles in high school leadership included Relay For Life. In 2019, after Laurie was diagnosed with breast cancer, she organized her own Relay For Life team called "Mammograms Matter." Jeremy returned to St. Petersburg to surprise her and offer the support she had always given him for this event.

For Hadassah St. Petersburg's first October 2023 event they partnered with Sharsheret, a Jewish breast and ovarian cancer non-profit organization. The virtual program featured a panel of experts from Moffitt Cancer Center, where Laurie receives treatment. Laurie was invited to share her personal story as a breast cancer survivor and share Hadassah's recent Breast Cancer research, which includes performing genetic testing on frozen eggs of young women undergoing cancer treatment, aiming to eliminate genetic mutations in future generations.

The second event was a walk in the park, literally. Hadassah Walks for Breast Cancer Awareness took place on October 22 in Largo, and Laurie was among the honorees. Being honored at her five year mark was particularly meaningful. "I was happy friends and family supported the cause. I had my husband, Marc, and parents walking with me, and Jeremy joined me again like when he surprised me at Relay For Life. There were about 100 participants – and their dogs! It was great."

Congratulations, Laurie, on your recent honor - and even more importantly - your five-year cancer-free milestone!