Named for the Greek goddess of purity, wisdom and strength, Athena® was created for the cause by Trish May, a breast cancer survivor. The support and care she received during treatments and recovery inspired her to become part of the search for a cure. Her belief that everyone can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer with a simple bottle of water continues through the efforts of everyone at DS Waters of America, Inc.

A Note from Trish

At some point in our lives, cancer affects all of us. Perhaps you have a friend, a family member or a coworker who has battled cancer. Or maybe you've fought – or are still fighting – that battle yourself.

At age 39, I found out I had breast cancer. It was a devastating diagnosis, especially since I had watched my mother suffer from breast cancer before she passed away from ovarian cancer. Fortunately, my cancer was caught early, I had expert medical care, and my family and friends rallied around me.

When I recovered, I vowed I would do everything I could to help find a cure. I created the Athena® water brand with one goal in mind – to raise funds and awareness to make real progress in fighting women's cancer.

You can help, too. Every time you buy Athena® bottled water, you are making a difference to the hundreds of thousands of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Whether you pick up convenient single-serve bottles or prefer Athena® bottled water delivery to your home or office, you are contributing to breast cancer treatment, prevention, education and research.

I believe one single person can make an enormous difference. And when we work together, we can change the world. Please join me in the fight! And encourage your friends to become Athena® water warriors, too.

Trish

Trish May

A breast cancer survivor, Athena® founder

You never know how you're going to react when you hear those dreaded words: "You have cancer." Trish May was only 39 when she heard those words. Trish had watched her mother suffer through breast cancer before passing away from ovarian cancer the year before her own diagnosis.


Trish, a successful marketing executive, reacted by putting the same energy into her fight against breast cancer as she does in every aspect of her life. Thanks to the generous support and care she received during her treatment and recovery, Trish survived her battle and also found her calling as a modern-day breast cancer warrior.


In 2003, Trish founded Athena® Partners to produce Athena® bottled water. Invoking the attributes of the Greek goddess Athena - wisdom, strength and purity - her goal was simple: Raise funds and awareness to help make real progress in women's cancer research.


In 2010, Trish partnered with DS Waters of America, a leading producer of bottled water brands known for great taste and purity. As part of the DS Waters family, Athena® is now gaining nationwide recognition and distribution. Not only does every Athena purchase support breast cancer awareness, care, education and research, DS Waters has pledged a minimum of $2 million to the cause by 2014.


Prior to founding Athena® Partners, Trish was a marketing executive with Microsoft Corporation. She currently serves as a patient advocate for the National Cancer Institute's five-year Seattle-based breast cancer research consortium led by the Hutchinson Center and the University of Washington. Trish served on the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Board of Directors for 10 years, served as a grant reviewer for Susan Komen for the Cure® Foundation, and was a board member of Northwest Cancer Partners.


Trish has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report, as well as on PBS TV and PBS Radio. She is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurial philanthropy and the power of one person to make a difference. Awards include the Puget Sound Business Journal's "Woman of Influence" and "Leading Newsmaker," and was named the Seattle Storm (WNBA) Woman of Inspiration in 2007.


In 2012, Trish received the Spirit of Giving Award from the Evergreen Healthcare Foundation.


A Message from Trish May, Breast Cancer Survivor

Who is Athena?

Immortalized in Greek mythology, Athena represents breast cancer warriors everywhere. Daughter of Zeus, the ruler of Olympus, Athena was a fearless fighter guided by wisdom, strength and purity. She symbolizes the resilient warrior in all of us who rely on courage and will in the fight against cancer.

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Wisdom

A brilliant strategist, many of the myths surrounding Athena involve the sound guidance she offered to the various gods, goddesses and heroes when they went into battle, often facing impossible odds. She reminds us that our battles are less daunting with the assistance of wise friends and family.

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Strength

The Goddess of War who famously never lost a battle, Athena cut an impressive and imposing figure with her spear and golden helmet. But it's worth noting that she always looked for a peaceful resolution first, relying on strength of mind and spirit to win her battles.

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Purity

As the patron goddess of Athens, Athena was beloved not only as a powerful symbol of wisdom and strength, but also as a poetic symbol for purity. Her gift of an olive tree to the Athenians is testament to her belief in health and vitality – attributes we continue to support with Athena® bottled water.

Working today for a cleaner tomorrow

Athena® knows that being good to the environment can be good for business and our communities. By practicing an approach that is both responsible and resourceful, we've found simple ways over the past decade to bottle water with packaging that has less impact on our environment. Our .5L bottles are among the most lightweight in the industry today. In fact, over the past 10 years we have reduced the amount of plastic in our bottles by more than 50% and our caps by 25%. Now, add in the fact that our packaging is 100% recyclable – from the plastic bottles and caps to the outer wrap and corrugated paper trays – and you can see why Athena® has emerged as a true leader in the challenge to keep our environment green.