Smithfield's Joelle Fournier Leads Charge for Ribbon of Hope Plate

Joelle Fournier put in a year of work before the General Assembly approved the new Ribbon of Hope license plate in October 2012, and now 900 people need to buy one before production can start.

"It took about a year to get legislative clearance and finish the design,” said the Smithfield resident. “We actually got all of these things finalized right in time for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month last year.”

Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation’s new plate goes for $41.50. It features the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation’s trademarked pink ribbon image and the word ‘HOPE’ on the side.

Fournier, a cancer survivor, said she started thinking about campaigning to make the license plates a reality after her aunt did the same thing in Maine. 

In 2006, Fournier, who has a family history of breast cancer, decided to have bilateralprophylactic mastectomies. Despite the preventive surgery, she was diagnosed that same year when the pathology came back from the original procedure. Fournier's now part of the administration team at Arthur Lambi & Associates and proudly calls herself “part of the original crew” of survivors who were involved with the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. "I don't work for them but they're my family," Fournier said.

So, Fournier reached out to Rep. Thomas Winfield (D-Dist. 53, Smithfield, Glocester), who wrote the legislation, and now the project is nearly finished.

“Attention to this devastating disease is a year-round effort for us,” added Maria Gemma. “We’re in this together, and Joelle’s commitment shows that each and every one of us has the power to ‘step up to the plate,’” Gemma concluded with a smile.

The Pawtucket-based organization is donating all of remaining proceeds after DMV processing fees, a total of $20 per set of plates, to the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Women’s Cancer Screening Program (WCSP) to expand free breast cancer screenings—mammograms and clinical breast exams—for uninsured and underinsured women between the ages of 40 and 49.

Anyone interested in being one of the first 900 to get a plate can go to Brewed Awakenings at either 1577 Atwood Ave. in Johnston or 60 S County Commons Way in Wakefield this Saturday, April 27, to complete and submit an order form along with payment and a copy of your registration.

Rrepresentatives from the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, as well as live music and entertainment, will greet patrons at the event.

For more information, visit Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation's facebook page.

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