Carol Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 34. Soon after, she became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and a Reach to Recovery Counselor and has been the guest speaker for several breast cancer organizations. She has offered Concerts for the Cure for the Toledo Opera and various other venues. Her training in opera has been a significant tool in her recovery from breast cancer. She draws on her performance skills to be a highly motivational and moving speaker and combines her in-depth work on characterizations and interpretations of dramatic roles with her work on surviving breast cancer, and shares her insight and her voice with others. It is her fundamental goal to inspire women to the possibilities of thriving and well-being in the face of a breast cancer diagnosis.