Special Feature

Award winning author, motivational speaker and lung cancer survivor, Gayle Zinda, partners with LCA

It all began with a wadded up scrap of paper that languished at the bottom of her purse.  Gayle was working as a nurse administrator, when a salesman slipped her a note with a phone number and said, “This is someone you should meet.”  Gayle dropped the note into her purse where it sat for a year.  One day, on impulse, Gayle fished out the note and called the number.  As soon as she’d said hello, Rita Snyder, the woman on the other end replied, “Honey, I’ve been waiting for your call.”

A few days later, Gayle was sitting in front of The Lemonade Stand--“A place to come and be refreshed.”  Rita Snyder was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36.  After exhausting and humiliating searches for wigs and prosthesis, she opened The Lemonade Stand, a safe and comfortable salon that provided women with wigs, prosthesis, and other services that they would need for their fights against cancer. 

Gayle decided to quit her job as a nurse administrator and devote herself to The Lemonade Stand.  Rita passed away later that year, but Gayle kept her dream alive running The Lemonade Stand.  Over the following 10 years Gayle would open up three locations in three states.  Gayle ended up helping over 10,000 men and women battle cancer.

Now, almost twenty years later, Gayle has written down the stories of many of those who have passed through The Lemonade Stand.  Pink Lemonade, an Independent Publisher Book Awards recipient, delivers the positive messages of hope, hard work, and faith.  She has also included her own stories of struggle and success.

In an ironic twist of fate, Gayle was diagnosed with lung cancer a little over a year ago, just before the book was going to the printer.  Fortunately, she was diagnosed at an early stage and received surgery.  She is currently cancer free.

As she tours the country promoting her book with her son, Adam Rizzo, Gayle sees first hand, the stigma and neglect directly associated with lung cancer.  She now discusses the importance of early detection and increased funding for lung cancer research. 

She distributes brochures about lung cancer and LCA at her speaking engagements.  Gayle is a wonderful addition to LCA and has committed to working with LCA to elevate public awareness of the disease.  She and Adam have traveled over 15,000 miles in their RV raising awareness with many more to go!

For more information about Gayle and her travels visit www.lemonmotivators.com.