One woman's solution to dealing with the horrific news of being diagnosed with breast cancer was "Don't get mad, get even."

    Arming herself and others with the most current and up-to-date information on the subject, Elizabeth Mullen went the distance and won.

    Her battle is private at times, but in a very public way. Betsy, as she is known by friends, is young, dynamic, educated and tireless. She is a woman who looked adversity in the face, smiled and simply rolled up her sleeves to begin working and helped to create one of the most unique and valuable tools in the war against one of the foremost women's health issues.

    "My initial reaction when I was diagnosed was 'Excuse me?' But when they continued on and said that I had to choose between a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, and chemo, I knew this disease would be a vehicle for me to help myself and others," said Mullen. "I want people to have the information to make confident and informed decisions about their treatment."

    WIN - for Women's Information Network - is Mullen's baby. It's a soft name with hardcore political implications.

    "I have an agenda and it is to change the culture in which cancer is detected, treated and diagnosed," Mullen said. "It all boils down to politics and money and I am working with other people to affect change - to WIN!"

    With no political experience, backing or even the slightest knowledge of lobbying, Mullen sat at the table with some of the biggest, brightest and toughest politicians and helped to create a U.S. postal stamp that would benefit breast cancer research.

    The 40-cent stamp was unveiled at the Revlon Run/Walk for Women held in Los Angeles in early May.

    "We are one step closer to raising much needed research dollars to fight this deadly disease," said Sen. Diane Feinstein. "This stamp represents an innovative way to raise breast cancer research funds without raising taxes. I urge everyone to buy them so that we can fund the fight to find a cure."

    Mullen's purpose with WIN is to help women, children and families dealing with breast cancer to become better informed about their treatment, recovery and all their options.

    She wraps it all in a package of bilingual peer counseling, videos and pamphlets to stamp out some of the fear associated with breast cancer.

    Breast Buddies are peer counselors who meet newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and help them though the fear associated with this terrible disease.

    "In the beginning, I found the Women's Information Network on the Internet and soon after received my information packet. It literally led me out of the darkness," said LuLu Jacobsen, breast cancer survivor. "The understanding and compassion they gave me truly made me feel loved and gave me back the respect I had lost for my body."

    Mullen has received the support and admiration of many and has touched the lives of millions of women she may never meet. But one thing is certain, her dedication and perseverance to help women deal with one of the biggest killers of women has not gone unnoticed.

    Along with seven other extraordinary San Gabriel Valley women, Mullen was honored by the YWCA for her efforts at the 14th annual Women of Achievement Awards luncheon June 5 at Industry Hills.

    "When I get up there to accept the award I won't be up there by myself," said Mullen. "With me comes all those people who have worked so hard and shared my vision. Really it's their award, I'm just the one picking it up and I couldn't be in better company than to be with all those women. I am awe struck at who they are and what they have accomplished."

    Mullen is proud of her work and the success of her efforts, not for herself but for the daughters and granddaughters she will never have except in her heart.

    "Being able to be at the table and truly affect change is only part of it," said Mullen. "The other part, the big part, is reaching women who do not know what to do in the wake of darkness and helping them to find a way to cope and make decisions that they won't later think back about and say 'What if?'"

    To find out more about WIN and the Breast Buddies program, call (626) 332-2255.

    About 30 women were nominated for the Women of Achievement award this year, all of whom at some time lived or worked in the San Gabriel Valley. The eight honorees were selected based on their level of success, contributions they've made to the community and their role model characteristics. Past recipients have included an Olympic medalist, hospital chief of staff, scientist and chief of police.

    "I think sometimes women are so busy trying to be successful that they tend to forget the impact that they've had on people, and so I think this award gives them the opportunity to sort of stop and smell the roses," said Barbara Rehmer, executive director of the San Gabriel Valley YWCA.