Jan Hillman Story

By Terry Guerra

Tipp City resident Jan Hillman recently received some new eyewear. This may seem like a normal, routine statement, but as it turns out, it is Jan’s eyewear that happens to be making the statement.

One day in January of 2024, Hillman was at the Tipp Eye Center and got into a discussion with optician Yvonda Roe. The subject was Hillman’s breast cancer journey, which began in 1986. The sales rep for Vera Bradley’s eyewear account, Pam Denenzio, was in the office at the same time and overheard the story. Denenzio relayed the story to Vera Bradley’s product development team, The McGee Group, headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. Gina Kwok, Marketing Director, and eye doctor James Ranft spoke on the phone, and the wheels began to turn.  

Kwok said The McGee Group tries every year to honor someone affected by breast cancer by naming a sunglass frame after them. This year they named four sunglass styles after breast cancer survivors and/or warriors.

The end result? Hillman is one of the four women The McGee Group is featuring in their multi-channel national marketing campaign to promote the Vera Bradley Foundation collection for 2026.

The official name of the frame is the “Jan H,” and the colorway is “Melissa Ditsy Pink.” Hillman will receive six pairs of the unique eyewear to support women in her network. She recently received two pairs and gifted one to her friend and Breast Wish recipient Brooke O’Neal.

Elesha Snyder, co-founder and executive director of Breast Wishes Foundation in Vandalia, an organization that grants wishes to those battling breast cancer, spoke glowingly of Hillman, a retired board member. “She is still active with Breast Wishes as a donor and sponsor and never misses an opportunity to tell others about Breast Wishes and all that we do. She is our number one cheerleader.”

Breast Wishes has granted 570 wishes to date since 2017. A big part of that is Jan. “Jan is such an inspiration. I call her my fairy godmother,” Snyder continues. “She has made so many wishes come true with her generosity, and she’s taught me everything I know about philanthropy. I love her dearly. We all do!”

Hillman founded her business, Hillman and Associates, in 1983, which provided advancement/fundraising, strategic planning, and board development for non-profit organizations. It closed after 37 years. That did not end her accomplishments. Just ask close friend Heather Bailey.

Bailey, a Breast Wishes recipient, was diagnosed in 2000, and they met through a mutual friend, Pat McGohan. Their friendship has grown over the years, not only through their cancer journeys but also through a shared passion for community involvement. She says of Hillman, “In her working days, she cut a dominant figure in the region. She was known to get big projects done, and she kept her goals high.”

About three and a half years ago, Hillman was diagnosed once again with breast cancer. This time, her third, it was metastatic. She hasn't let it stop her from enjoying life.

She recently returned from her 55th high school reunion and participated in a podcast with both Bailey and Snyder, which was hosted by Tipp City Foundation representatives Ranft and Sarah Gillenwater.

The podcast “So Far, So Good” is set to drop September 29th. Be sure to tune in to hear about Hillman’s life before, during, and after her diagnosis. It is truly inspiring.

She stated she already has people in mind for the next two pairs of eyeglasses she’ll receive and said: “My wish is to get more sets of eyeglasses to give away.”  With her positive attitude and contagious smile on full display, she added, “You can’t put a price tag on joy.”

The eyewear became available on September 1st and can be purchased through eye care practitioners nationwide. The McGee Group donates a portion of all Vera Bradley Eyewear proceeds to The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. The Tipp Eye Center will contribute a portion of the purchase price of Vera Bradley eyewear sold in October to Breast Wishes Foundation.