On March 1st, at Saks Fifth Avenue's Unforgettable Evening, Melissa Etheridge was honored by Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund, EIF's WCRF, with the 2006 Courage Award for her dedicated efforts in raising breast cancer awareness and on behalf of her unwavering support for cancer research and education. Since her breast cancer diagnosis in October 2004, Ms. Etheridge has served as a strong role model for women affected by breast cancer. This year's event was mc'd by Ellen DeGeneres, with a special performance by the GRAMMY-award winning artists The Black Eyed Peas.

Etheridge accepted the award by saying, "I wish you love, I wish you peace and light. Thank you all very much." DeGeneres, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, later took the stage, where she congratulated Etheridge for her honorary award.

The Women's Cancer Research Fund, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, was established by Honorary Chairs Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, along with co-founders Kelly Chapman Meyer, Anne Douglas, Quinn Ezralow, Marion Laurie, and Jamie Tisch. WCRF supports innovative research, education, and outreach directed at the development of more effective approaches to the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all women's cancer.