Joanne Hutchins prepared herself for a fight, after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is a personal trainer, mixed martial artist with a black belt in karate and so is no stranger to battle.

In this interview, she talks about The Moms Who Kick Calendar Program, which raises funds toward breast cancer research. She also tells us a bit about some of the amazing, inspirational calendar girls who fill the pages.

 How did you come up with the idea of the “Moms Who Kick Calendar Program?

After a karate class one morning, I was showing some of my fellow students a collection of pictures taken of me during a 90-day ‘Better Your Body’ Challenge that I was competing in.It was right around the time my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

In the pictures I wore a stars and stripes bikini.One of the ladies suggested I create a fundraising calendar using these photos and send it to the troops in Iraq.

The idea of me being in a calendar was amusing, but instead I thought it would be cool to have all the karate moms I trained with in the calendar with me; a calendar of martial arts moms over 40 years of age.And the funds would go towards breast cancer research. The idea took root and the Moms Who Kick Project was born!

How has the program evolved over the years?

We’ve become nonprofit which has taken our organization to a whole new level. 100% of our net proceeds from the calendar is now going towards cutting edge breast cancer research.

To hospitals such as NS-LIJ Katz for Women’s Health and the Katz Women’s Hospitals on Long Island.

MWK is thrilled to be involved with this research on the ground level and believe this study will truly make a difference in the fight to find a cure.

Tell us about some of the women in the calendar.

Ms. February, Deborah, was diagnosed with breast cancer after the birth of her son who was born with a hearing disability. She fought her battle courageously while caring for a sick child.

Ms. June, Karen, is a gorgeous and fit grandmother of seven and an 11-year breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with a new carcinoma just a week before her photo shoot and had surgery the day after the shoot.

Ms. September, Jennifer, was diagnosed and had her surgery just prior to her mother being diagnosed as well. A prosecutor, Jennifer went outside her comfort zone to do the photo shoots. She wanted to appear in the calendar to show that cancer can’t keep her down.

Ms. November, Maureen, is a two- time cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was in her 20’s.  Twenty years later after her second son was born, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. Since then she got into doing Zumba at the gym and lost 100 pounds. She is now a licensed Zumba instructor.

Ms. December, Marisa, is a survivor who had a double mastectomy. She is also an identical twin, whose sister chose to have her breasts removed for preventative reasons.  Marisa is a preschool teacher, and an advocate for women’s health and breast cancer awareness.

Ms. January, Antoinette, is one of 3 sisters diagnosed with breast cancer, even though there is no history of this disease in their family. Her doctor instructed her to work out regularly. And she does, every morning at 5:30 before getting her daughters ready for school.

Finally, as a successful female entrepreneur, what do you have to say to other women looking to start a nonprofit business?

Starting a not-for-profit company takes time and knowledge. Try to seek professional help on a pro-bono level in order to keep costs down.  There are many resources available to help find professionals who are willing to help.

The most important thing I have to say is that if you have a passion for something, go after it and never give up!  Rally people who share your feelings, and never lose sight of your goal.  Keep it interesting! This advice holds true for every aspect of life.

For more information about Moms Who Kick and their upcoming events, here's a link to their website:  http://momswhokick.com/