Grammy-award winning singer, songwriter, and breast cancer survivor Sheryl Crow was honored with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Humanitarian Award at the annual symposium and luncheon event at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Crow has joined the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to promote breast cancer prevention and raise funds for research in finding a cure.

During her music tour with John Mayer, Crow donated 50 cents of every concert ticket sold to the breast cancer organization. She also offered a breast cancer t-shirt with her logo design for sale with 100 percent of the profits donated to BCRF. The t-shirt is now available on Crow's website.

In addition, Crow has lent her support to jewelry designer Mauri Pioppo, who created a very special Sundari necklace to benefit BCRF during October. According to the product details, "Sundari is the Hindu Goddess of beauty and grace, and Mauri Pioppo was inspired by Sheryl Crow's courage in the face of her personal experience with breast cancer to createthe Sundari necklace."

Crow is an incredibly talented singer songwriter. She is also an awesome lady with a healthy sense of humor. During the luncheon in which she was given the Humanitarian Award, she remarked to the audience, "In a show business world that puts so much emphasis on cleavage, I was never known for my breasts until I got breast cancer."

Last Monday, singer songwriter and breast cancer survivor Sheryl Crow appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show to help Ellen, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, launch the show's recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Six months ago, Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer, and is happy to say that during her last check-up she got an all clear and is in breast cancer remission. Crow talked about the impact breast cancer had -- that when you hit bottom it is a place where you meet yourself. At that time, Crow realized she needed to take care of herself by putting herself first, as opposed to the many years when her focus was on taking care of others. Crow described herself as very self-critical before breast cancer, and was a woman who could not say no to others -- their happiness was a priority that came before her own. Ellen joked that bottom for Crow might mean breaking up with your fiance (Lance Armstrong) and getting a breast cancer diagnosis a month later. Crow laughed and nodded in agreement.

Crow talked about some of the dangers you can avoid to promote cancer prevention such as not leaving bottled water out in the sun. The chemical reaction of the heated plastic to the water is known to be carcinogenic. Other dangers include dietary changes a woman can make, and we have shared her tips in a past post here.

Crow, who is currently touring with John Mayer, stated, "It's what you do with experience that really defines who you become." Crow wears a gold bracelet with the words Breathe and That which does not kill me makes me stronger as well as her diagnosis date inscribed on it as a spiritual reminder.

Olympus Junior High janitor Terry Birch is deaf and needs cochlear implants. Last summer, his wife, who is also deaf, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy. After that, she will begin radiation therapy. The Birch's have four children.

According to the Mrs. Leffler's Utah Studies students, the Birch family cannot afford the expensive surgery for cochlear implants and the medical bills keep mounting with Mrs. Birch's breast cancer treatments. The students decided they wanted to help and organized a letter writing campaign to over 1,000 celebrities asking each one to sign memorabilia that the students could auction off on eBay to raise money for the Birch family.

Emily Tyndell, who played Trisha, in the hit movie Napoleon Dynamite, actually stopped by the school to visit the students. Other celebrities who have agreed to help the students help the Birch family are: Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Denzel Washington, Matthew McConaughey, Elijah Wood, John Travolta, Ryan Cabrera and the Bravery. Also being auctioned at eBay are tickets to the upcoming movie premiere of Jack Black's Nacho Libre and autographed items from sports legends Magic Johnson, Wayne Gretzky, Steve Young and Pittsburgh Steelers players. This is an amazing life-changing experience for both the Birch family and the exceptional students of Olympus Junior High. The eBay auction will run from May 15 - 25. To learn more about Birch family, the students and the auction, visit the Help Terry blog.