Prior to joining WIN ABC in 1997, Ms. Gaines was a Region Sales Manager with a strong background in marketing and sales, public relations, staff training, motivational speaking and customer service. Renée was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and decided to focus her new life in the areas of women's health issues.

Ms. Gaines was born and raised in Fullerton, California. She is now a resident of Covina and lives with her husband, Larry, their daughter, Desirée and her two dogs. She enjoys volunteering, reading and camping.

Her expertise also includes working with the media in developing new ways to get the message out. She has worked collaboratively with several reporters including Jennifer York of KTLA 5 Morning News. That project resulted in a special four part series highlighting six different individuals and their breast cancer experience. Most recently she assisted in producing a live television show, KIDSTALK that focused on how children reacted when their mother was diagnosed with cancer.

In addition to her function as Director of Public Relations, Ms. Gaines assists Betsy Mullen and Shelly Blechman at Breast Buddy training courses with her humorous and energetic style in teaching volunteers on the benefits of psychosocial support and taking care of yourself. Ms. Gaines also ventures into the community speaking to businesses and their employees, promoting early detection, education and treatment for breast cancer at brown bag lunch hours.

Ms. Gaines can be reached by contacting WIN Against Breast Cancer at (626) 332-2255, e-mail: mail@winabc.org.