August 24, 2023

Join us for the Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Rally at Twin Cities Veg Fest on September 17th! This special gathering will take place from noon to 1 pm on Harriet Island in St. Paul. We invite everyone to come support October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

At the rally, you’ll hear local experts, and breast cancer survivors share inspiring stories. But that’s not all – we have a unique treat for you! Percussionists from local bands “beat the drum” for breast cancer prevention. Get ready to enjoy some amazing music while raising your voice for this important cause.

During the rally, you’ll hear about the four lifestyle steps that can reduce the risk of breast cancer and recurrence. Food for Life instructors Jodi Gruhn, Jill Erickson, and Joel Erickson will be sharing their knowledge. These passionate advocates for plant-based nutrition educate about the power of healthy eating. In addition, we are honored to have Kiley Krocak share her inspiring story of surviving breast cancer!

The Let’s Beat Breast Cancer campaign aims to raise awareness about these lifestyle steps. They include eating plant-based foods, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol , and aiming to maintain a healthy weight. Our speakers will go into more depth about how these steps can help prevent breast cancer on the VegFund mainstage at 1:30.

The reason behind the rally

Half a century ago, the United States declared a “war on cancer,” yet current statistics predict that during our lifetime, one in eight women will develop breast cancer. Research has shown that more than one-third of all cancer deaths in the United States are due to poor diet, yet most are unaware of the connection. Faced with these startling statistics, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine developed the Food for Life: Let’s Beat Breast Cancer curriculum based on their groundbreaking Cancer Project curriculum. Certain diet patterns seem to have a major effect in helping people diagnosed with cancer live longer, healthier lives. Our speakers are trained in this curriculum.

More information on the speakers:

• Kiley Krocak will share her inspiring story of surviving breast cancer. Read a blog with her story here.

• Jodi Gruhn of Borealle. Jodi is a catalyst for wellness transformation bringing her many years experience to inspire and educate audiences about the power of the plant-based plate. She is a Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach certified in plant-based nutrition and is a licensed Food For Life Instructor with the Physicians’ for Responsible Medicine. As the Director of Wholesome Minnesota, she fiercely advocates for plant-based options in Minnesota schools partnering with nutrition leaders, parents, students and teachers to be the change in their organizations. Her small business, Borealle, helps people find + align with their health to prevent, improve and reverse chronic disease with the added benefit of building better environmental practices. 

• Jill and Joel Erickson of Rooted Green Wellness are Plant-Based Nutrition certified, and are licensed Food For Life instructors with the Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine. 
  Jill Erickson and her husband, Joel, are passionate advocates for a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle. Jill, a licensed Food for Life Instructor and certified Plant Based Nutrition Educator, began her journey in 2012 to address health concerns in her family. Joel joined in after experiencing a heart attack in 2016. Since January 2017, they’ve both followed a WFPB diet and are dedicated to sharing how this way of eating can be both delicious and promote good health. They founded Rooted Green Wellness in 2019, aiming to inspire others to make positive changes in their lives, one bite at a time.

The Let’s Beat Breast Cancer Rally is organized by Rooted Green Wellness and Borealle, with support from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). PCRM is also sponsoring a Wellness Corridor of vendors devoted to your health as part of the festival. Check it out too!

We hope to see you there, joining us in the fight against breast cancer!