Our History

Andi Collins was just 16 years old when inflammatory breast cancer took her life on September 4, 2003. When she was initially diagnosed in December of 2002 her cancer was already at Stage IV, requiring immediate and intensive treatment. Much of her time was spent at the office of Dr. Neil Barth and in chemotherapy and radiation treatment, where she was frequently accompanied by her sister, Lauren. It was during this time that Andi and Lauren would see patients who were devastated by more than just the physical challenges and consequences of cancer. They saw old folks, young people, business men and women, mothers with babies in tow – people in every possible stage of life.

For the majority, there was always the pressing need for immediate arrangements:

Who would pick them up after the appointment?
How was their medication going to be delivered?
What would it take to cover babysitting services?
How were they going to meet all of the necessary requirements of everyday life?

Most of the people Andi and Lauren saw did not have adequate financial means or resources to address these challenges. It made them wonder, “How do they do it?” Soon after, Lauren’s mother introduced her to Lil Spitzer, Executive Director of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation. Lil explained that the Foundation’s mission was to provide immediate financial assistance and patient advocacy to those struggling with cancer. In a nutshell: To improve and enhance their quality of life by serving as a link between patients’ temporary situation of distress and a long-term solution. Beckstrand was reaching out to provide the aid that Lauren had seen was so needed with other patients every time Andi had gone for treatment.

To honor Andi’s memory and to reach out to others in need, Lauren united with two friends from high school, Veronica and Stephanie Muth, to form an auxiliary of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation called Four Pearls. The group is unlike any other charitable organization in Orange County because it is comprised exclusively of young professionals just out of college. Their vision for the auxiliary was to connect their peer group and the community in an effort to help families similar to those Andi observed during her treatment. Together, they are Four Pearls – three here…one in Heaven.