Gorgeous supermodel of the world Cindy Crawford, 49 belongs to an industry where beauty is prized above everything else. But there is something Crawford considers far more important - charitable works.
Crawford's focus is to help people battling cancer, especially since the disease hits very close to home. "My brother died of leukemia," the supermodel shared with PEOPLE.
So when one of her closest friends - makeup artist and cancer survivor Sonia Kashuk - asked her to be a part of the April 15 Beauty with Benefits event on QVC, Crawford did not hesitate in joining the cause.
Kashuk underwent a double mastectomy back in 2006, and the experience pushed her to raise money and support other people who really need the "self-satisfaction" Crawford has fortunately found in her career.
Through Beauty with Benefits, people can shop for cosmetics then give back at the same time, since 80 percent of their purchase price will be donated to the Cosmetic Executive Women Foundation's Cancer and Careers organization. They can choose from a wide array of beauty brands such as Laura Mercier, Clinique, Laura Geller, Shiseido, Josie Maran, philosophy and more.
Crawford laments that cancer has affected so many lives, but rarely do people give attention to the challenges of living and working with cancer.
"That is why I wanted to be a part of this great cause with my dear friend Sonia. Beauty is not just about the way you look, but also about the way you feel inside, and this is an opportunity for beauty to make a difference in people's lives," she explained.
The supermodel added that the organization "helps people with everything - from how to tell their boss to what rights they have." Another struggle for cancer survivors is dealing with the aftermath of their disease, according to her.
"To be able to work and maintain that sense of normalcy while going through treatment can help people handle the stuff that's out of their control," she said.
It is also very important for Crawford to influence her and husband Rande Gerber's children Presley, 15 and Kaia, 13 positively and teach them the value of charity and doing good deeds.
She took her daughter to the American Family Children's Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, where her brother was treated. Crawford regularly hosts a reunion for survivors and their families, and this time her daughter helped by handing out presents.
The supermodel added that it's very important for her that both her engage and learn from philantropy.
