Breast cancer survivor Jackie Caplan Wiggins recognized for her contribution to Long Beach Cancer League
LOS ALAMITOS, CA (June 2016) – Frieda’s Specialty Produce Vice President and COO Jackie Caplan Wiggins was honored by the Long Beach Cancer League, a fundraising auxiliary of the American Cancer Society, during its 41st annual gala on June 4, 2016, along with nine others from the greater Long Beach area in California.
Wiggins was recognized for her contribution to furthering the work of the American Cancer Society in her hometown.
A recent breast cancer survivor, Wiggins is a mentor to other women in various stages of their diagnosis. “When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I didn’t understand the importance of sharing one’s story,” says Wiggins. “But after I was diagnosed and sent out emails letting people know, it was a real epiphany for me. Sharing your story is not only helpful to others, but is also healing.”
In 2012 Wiggins appeared on the daytime CBS show, “The Doctors,” sharing her story of surviving breast cancer. Wiggins was also selected to represent the face of the TeamSpirit campaign for Long Beach Memorial Hospital in 2012 and is a regular participant in the TeamSpirit Breast and Ovarian Cancer 10K walk. Through the support of friends in the produce industry, Wiggins has raised more than $50,000 for the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
About the Long Beach Cancer League & the American Cancer Society
A fundraising auxiliary of the American Cancer Society, the Long Beach Cancer League raises funds to support the American Cancer Society’s cutting-edge research programs. Founded in 1913, the American Cancer Society is the most experienced and largest nonprofit cancer-fighting organization in the world. It consists of a national home office, located in Atlanta, Georgia, and chartered divisions throughout the country comprised of more than 3,400 community offices. More than 2 million society volunteers work to conquer cancer. All services and programs are free to the public. Information can be found 24 hours a day at www.cancer.org or 1-800-227-2345.
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Specialty Produce celebrates a 54-year legacy of inspiring new food experiences for friends, family, and food lovers everywhere. Credited with introducing more than 200 specialty fruits and vegetables to U.S. supermarkets, Frieda’s has helped launch unique items like kiwi fruits, Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes, habanero peppers, Sunchokes®, and organic finger limes. Founded in 1962 by produce industry icon Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, subject of the 2015 documentary “Fear No Fruit,” the family company is now owned and operated by Frieda’s daughters, Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins, in Orange County, California. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce, and Friedas.com. Inspire. Taste. Love.