Humanitarian of the Week: Fran Drescher

We can define our lives in terms of things or we can define them in terms of actions. In order to achieve our own Belle Époque, we will need to live well in all aspects of our lives. Most importantly, we will need to support our fellow people so that we all may have the beautiful lives we deserve.


One person who represents the spirit of any beautiful era is the exquisite Fran Drescher. As entertaining as she is beautiful, Miss Drescher, has brought joy into our homes for many years—most notably with her program, The Nanny.

However, there’s more to Fran Drescher than her glamorous clothes and trademark laugh. Miss Drescher is a cancer survivor and had tirelessly worked to raise awareness of women’s health for over a decade. In 2000, after two years of unsatisfactory care and misdiagnoses, Miss Drescher was diagnosed with uterine cancer and underwent immediate surgery. Ten years, later, she remains in great health with no post-operative treatment required. In her book, Cancer Schmancer, Miss Drescher chronicles her experience in the hope of raising awareness of uterine cancer and to help those who have been diagnosed.

In 2007, Fran Drescher launched "The Cancer Schmancer Movement" which she dedicated to ensuring that all women’s cancers were diagnosed in the first and most curable stage. 2008 saw Miss Drescher as a U.S. Diplomat by the United States State Department. Given the title of Public Diplomacy Envoy for Women's Health Issues, Miss Drescher has traveled the world working with leaders and health agencies to raise awareness of women’s health issues, encourage patient empowerment and to assist in finding ways for early detection.

Beautiful in so many ways, Miss Drescher is truly the embodiment of our new Belle Époque.