by Laine Himmelmann
For Blue Shield vice presidents Caprice McIlvaine and Margaux Currie, the fight against breast cancer is deeply personal.
Both are survivors who shared their experiences this October to encourage early detection and raise awareness as part of Blue Shield's support of the American Cancer Society.
Breast cancer runs in McIlvaine’s family. Two aunts and a cousin were diagnosed, and when her oldest sister was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, she encouraged other family members to get additional screening. McIlvaine credits that decision with helping detect her own cancer early.
"Cancer has touched the lives of so many of us, and at Blue Shield, we see its impact on the members and communities we serve every day," said McIlvaine, vice president of Communications and Corporate Citizenship, who joined Blue Shield employees at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Sacramento. "As a survivor, I'm deeply grateful for the screening, research, and care that helped save my life. I walk to raise awareness about prevention and early detection because I know firsthand how much they matter."
For Currie, a Stage 3 breast cancer survivor and vice president of Partner Services at Blue Shield, there was no family history. After discovering a small lump in her chest, she wasn't initially alarmed. But at her mother-in-law’s urging, she had it checked immediately, a decision that ultimately saved her life.
Currie serves on the board of the American Cancer Society’s San Diego Chapter and the Medical Advisory Board for the Tigerlily Foundation, and also led Blue Shield employees, friends, and family at the San Diego Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
Walking together across California
Throughout October, hundreds of Blue Shield employees took part in events across California, many participating as survivors, family members, caregivers, and advocates.
Kimberli Robinson, vice president of Network Operations, led dozens of employees at the Los Angeles Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. She also represented Blue Shield at the American Cancer Society’s California Spirit event, serving as vice chair of its Executive Leadership Committee. The culinary event highlighted the critical connection between nutritious food and cancer care, as well as the need to make healthy food more accessible.
“As a nonprofit health plan, we have an important role to play in helping people live healthier lives and expanding access to resources to prevent, detect, and treat cancer,” said Robinson. “Seeing so many colleagues come together was incredibly meaningful. Everyone had a reason to be there.”
Going pink for a purpose
For Tim Lieb, Blue Shield’s senior vice president of Commercial Markets, supporting the cause meant going pink.
In addition to leading the Blue Shield team at the San Francisco Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Lieb and Kassie Maroney, chief actuary and senior vice president of Finance, launched a “Pink Hair Challenge," pledging to dye their hair pink if employees raised more than $10,000, and challenging other Blue Shield leaders to join if donations surpassed $20,000.
Employees answered the challenge. More than 170 contributed over $26,000 to the American Cancer Society, including Blue Shield’s company match. Blue Shield also provided $140,000 in sponsorship support this year.
“The pink hair was a fun way to get people’s attention, but what really matters is how people started donating, advocating, and raising awareness about the importance of early detection,” said Lieb. “Seeing so many of our colleagues rally around this cause was incredibly meaningful.”
“This was about so much more than going pink,” said Maroney. “Our employees came together to help support critical research, patient services, and resources for individuals and families affected by breast cancer. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, walked, and helped make a difference.”
In addition to walks across California and the California Spirit Gourmet Food & Wine event, Blue Shield also sponsored the American Cancer Society's 2026 San Francisco Discovery Gala.
To learn more about Blue Shield of California's commitment to the community, visit citizenship.blueshieldca.com
Resources
- Schedule a mammogram: Blue Shield of California, Find A Doctor
- Learn about breast health: "5 Ways to Take Charge of Your Breast Health" and “What to know about breast cancer screening”
- Assess your cancer risk: American Cancer Society CancerRisk360 and breast cancer resources
- Access preventive screenings: Learn how Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan is making mammograms and other preventive screenings more accessible for members.
- Open enrollment: Preventive care, including breast cancer screenings and mammograms, is typically covered at no out-of-pocket cost.* Fall is open enrollment season, so review your options to make sure you have the health plan that best meets your needs.
*Preventive screenings are generally covered at no cost when received from an in-network provider. Diagnostic follow-up services may involve cost sharing. Please check your plan documents for details.
Margaux Currie at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, San Diego
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, San Diego
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, San Diego
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Los Angeles
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Los Angeles
Starting line at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Los Angeles
VP of Network Operations Kimberli Robinson, California Spirit event, Los Angeles
Chief actuary Kassie Maroney and SVP of Commercial Markets Tim Lieb, Pink Hair Challenge
Pink Hair Challenge at Oakland headquarters
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, San Francisco
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, San Francisco
Relay for Life, Sacramento