Life changed dramatically for Andrea Ivory in 2004. Diagnosed with breast cancer, she immediately realized she had survived for the sole purpose of serving other women, who, unlike herself, did not have access to proper healthcare. Thus, in 2005, Andrea established the Women's Breast Health Initiative (WBHI), now the Women's Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate (WBHI) as a non-profit organization dedicated to educating women about the importance of breast health. In 2013, heart disease was added to the successful intervention and now the goal is fighting breast cancer and heart disease, one woman at a time. WBHI provides door-to-door awareness and education, screening, physical activity and nutrition sessions, fresh fruit and vegetable distribution, referrals and treatment for women who are at-risk. Since its inaugural door-to-door outreach campaign in 2006, WBHI volunteer teams have knocked on more than 79,000 doors of homes in underserved neighborhoods of South Florida to bring life saving resources to the some of the most vulnerable members in our community. A model to be replicated nationally, WBHI has allowed Andrea to share her passion for helping those who need it most and thus, she has participated as a delegate to several regional and national conferences, including the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society's 2nd Summit on Breast Cancer as well as the National Breast Cancer Coalition's Advocacy Conferences and Lobby Days in Washington D.C. She also participated as a delegate to the Premiere LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland.

For the innovative concept in its grassroots approach and evidence-based success, Andrea has been recognized and honored for WBHI's contributions in promoting awareness and early detection of breast cancer. She is the recipient of the Top 10 CNN Hero, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leader Award, L'Oreal Paris Woman of Worth, Yoplait Champion by General Mills Corporation, Self Magazine, and a finalist in the Energizer Hall of fame. Andrea has received special Congressional Recognition two times, and as such, has been honored on the floor of Congress twice. Locally, she is a recipient of the American Red Cross Spectrum Award, Local Hero by BMW of North America and Susan G. Komen and the Bank of America Local Hero Award. Most recently, with WBHI data and findings, Andrea was one of the research team members who presented at the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the 16th Annual American Society of Breast Surgeons Conference and at the 2015 Prevent Cancer Foundation's Dialogue for Action. Andrea is featured in Shirley Sagawa's book titled "The American Way to Change" where the organization is featured as a model with promise. She is a graduate of Project LEAD and has served as a Peer Reviewer for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. Andrea lives in Miami Lakes with her husband, Willie F. Ivory, who supports her passion and enthusiasm for helping the fight against breast cancer and heart disease. Until there are prevention strategies and cures for these deadly diseases available to all, Andrea will fight, "one household, one woman at a time." A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Barry University in Miami Shores, she has one daughter, and two grandchildren.