Although bikinis and breast cancer may seem wildly unrelated, it was the love of tiny two-pieces that led recent UCLA graduate Julie Lam to involve herself in a fundraising effort benefitting breast cancer research.
While routinely checking her Facebook like any other college student, an ad picturing a swimsuit model and the words “Want to be a model?” caught Lam’s eye.
The ad led to the Web site of Campus Girls USA. Founded in 2006 by celebrity photographer Trevor Debth, the organization creates swimsuit calendars featuring college girls and donates 100 percent of the calendar profits to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Aside from the Pac-10 calendar Lam participated in, other college conferences featured in Campus Girls calendars include the ACC, the Big Ten, the Big 12, the Big East and the SEC.
Impressed by the philanthropic cause of Campus Girls, Lam, who had never modeled before, cast her reservations aside and decided she wanted to become a Campus Girl.
“A modeling ad on Facebook might sound sketchy,” Lam said, “but this was an opportunity to help people. Not everyone gets to say they helped breast cancer (research) by modeling for a calendar in the Caribbean.”
Although the decision to apply was surprisingly easy, the selection process was less so. After filling out an online application and submitting five photos of herself, Lam was called back for an audition photo shoot. Lam’s test shot was then voted on through the Campus Girls Web site, where 12 out of 35 PAC-10 girls were chosen based upon the highest ratings.
Lam, a self-described “shy” University of San Diego law student who plans to work for the State Department, suddenly found herself selected as a Campus Girl.
“When I found out that I was selected it was so exciting and unbelievable. I mean, you have to be pretty full of yourself to think you are model material,” Lam said. “I didn’t think of myself as a model. I just wanted to help people.”
As a Campus Girl, Lam received an all-expenses paid trip to the Caribbean. When she was not posing for various photo shoots, Lam spent her time snorkeling and living what she calls the “celebrity lifestyle.”
“It was weird. I was waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning to do hair and makeup and being photographed by this photographer who takes pictures of supermodels,” Lam said. “At first I was uncomfortable, but I learned to be more confident and the shots turned out amazing.”
It was after shooting the calendar, however, that the impact of Lam’s unconventional foray into charity became clear.
While selling her calendars at various school events (a requirement of all participating calendar girls), Lam was shocked by her numerous encounters with people who were directly affected by breast cancer.
“I walked around at UCLA tailgates, and people kept saying things like “˜my best friend died’ or “˜my sister died’ (of breast cancer). I didn’t think I even knew anyone who had been affected,” Lam said. “I realized I was helping people that I knew.”
While the clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch has approached Lam, she has no plans to pursue a serious career in the modeling industry. Lam instead views her experience with Campus Girls as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and is grateful for her 15 minutes of philanthropic fame.
“It was a huge confidence and self-esteem boost. I met amazing people and I got to live like a model for a little while,” Lam said. “I never thought I would end up doing something like this ““ but I would do it again in a heartbeat.”