ABOUT US
​MISSION AND HISTORY
Daughters Defense is a gateway to inspire, celebrate and fight for women, men, and families who have been impacted by breast cancer. Together we guide our donors to local charitable organizations that focus on our core values of research and education, healing, prevention, and care.
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Daughters Defense was started in 2017 when Marissa and Jamie bonded over the fact they both had moms with breast cancer. They started as a team for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Walk in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Over the years they raised about $15,000 for The American Cancer Society. Their friendship grew closer and closer and so did the need to help breast cancer patients and survivors. In 2019, Jamie, unfortunately, lost her mom to her breast cancer battle. Helping patients, survivors, and families became their passion. So, they wanted to take Daughters Defense to the next level. They wanted to help local people and local charities that mean a lot to them. They carefully selected four charities that support Daughters' Defense's core values, and they became a gateway between you and these charities.
JAMIE ANHALT
CO-FOUNDER
Jamie knew as soon as her mother, Denise, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 that she needed to help others like her mom. She started designing t-shirts to sell to her friends and family to raise awareness. Not only did Jamie's mom get diagnosed in 2016, so did her mom's twin sister, Jackie. Jamie and her whole family knew how important it was to raise awareness for this terrible disease. Unfortunately in 2019, Denise lost her battle with metastatic breast cancer. Jamie turned her grief into a passion to help other patients like her mom, families impacted by cancer, and nurses.
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Jamie has a degree in Marketing from Holy Family University and works as an administrative assistant, waitress, and owns her own small business that makes custom gifts and crafts. She loves the beach, shopping, her family & friends, and country music. Her goal in life is to turn this charity into a full-time career and open her own breakfast shop.
MARISSA GORGOL
CO-FOUNDER
In 2010 Marissa's mother, Patti, was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after surviving lymphoma in 2008. Patti's battle was long, tough, and inspiring to all those around her, especially Marissa. Marissa and Patti started walking together in honor of her being a survivor with The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Patti also competed in several Susan G. Komen three-day 60-mile walks. In honor of her mom, Marissa knew she needed to do more to help others. Daughters' Defense helps raise money awareness for our beautiful mothers who fought this battle. Our fight started with our moms, but it continues for everyone currently fighting, those who survived, lost, and those who may be diagnosed in the future.
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Marissa has a degree in Nursing from Holy Family University. She is a registered nurse working in a pediatric emergency room and also has her own business creating custom crafts with a wide range from T-shirts to wreaths. Marissa is family-oriented and you can find her happiest sitting in front of the ocean watching sunrises and sunsets.