Las Isabelas moves forward in a positive direction after removal of former Executive Director, Ysabel Duron

Ysabel Duron, a weekend anchor on KRON-TV (Ch. 4) and former Executive Director of Las Isabelas is being sued by the organization.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) February 22, 2004--In 1997, Las Isabelas, began as a support group for women who were affected by cancer. Named in honor of Isabel Bellot one of the original members of the group who died of cancer. It has since become an established non-profit group, which provides cancer support services to Spanish-speaking women throughout Silicon Valley.

Ysabel Duron, a weekend anchor on KRON-TV (Ch. 4) became involved with the group first as a board member then as a paid Executive Director of the organization in 2001. As a local celebrity, Ms. Duron was key in helping Las Isabelas name to grow. She was able to promote the organization via news stories and through fundraising efforts. Knocking on key executive doors at many Bay Area corporations she was able to raise a substantial amount of money.

In June of 2003 because of conflicts with the board and her refusal to follow board directives Ms. Duron contract was terminated.

When Las Isabelas began to plan their Second Annual Mothers Day Walk Against Cancer for 2004 they discovered Ms. Duron had started her own organization named Latinas Contra Cancer" and was planning a walk on the same weekend.

They further discovered that she had begun contacting their sponsors, donors and walkers from the past year to participate in her walk. She was asked to discontinue use of a photograph from Las Isabelas walk, which was digitally altered to remove Las Isabelas logo and replaced with Latinas Contra Cancer" logo. The complaint also lists the unauthorized use of the Las Isabelas slogan Let No Latina Walk Alone."

When she did not respond to letters to cease and desist sent by the organizations attorney a Request for Temporary Restraining Order was filed in Superior Court. A court date has been set for February 24, 2004.

This is an unfortunate position we have been forced into but we are keeping our focus on the mission of Las Isabelas which is to serve the needs of our women who are suffering from cancer." responds Mary Rose Delgadillo when ask about the future of Las Isabelas.

Las Isabelas have since retained a CPA to audit the associations bank records from 2000-2003 to recreate the missing books to determine how funds were used.

They have installed a new board and hired their first experienced interim Executive Director, Ms. Delgadillo

The group plans to move forward with the Mothers Day Walk pending any litigation. Additional fundraisers being held this year are a Tulips & Tea party with prayer service in April and their annual Gala de Esperanza Dinner in September

Las Isabelas

Providing sensitive and appropriate psychosocial support, educational resources, comfort, and guidance for Latinas with cancer. All of Las Isabelas services are provided free of charge. For more information call (408) 287-4890 or visit www.lasisabelas.org