Deanna Favre

American activist

Deanna Farago Tynes Favre (born December 28, 1968) is an American author and founder and CEO of the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation. Favre was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, and later became an advocate in the fight against the disease.

Favre was born in Gulfport, Mississippi. She was born to Kerry Tynes when he married Deanna's mother, Ann Tynes. Favre has a sister, Christie, and a brother, Casey. She met Brett Favre while growing up in Kiln; they had attended school together since early childhood, and began dating in high school during her sophomore and Favre's freshman year. After graduating from high school in 1986, she attended community college in Poplarville on a basketball scholarship, subsequently transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi to finish her degree. She graduated in 1994 with a degree in exercise science.

Deanna Favre created the Deanna Favre Hope Foundation, which supports breast cancer education, women's breast imaging and diagnosis services for all women, including those who are medically underserved. The organization focuses on the needs of underinsured and uninsured women. The foundation has raised around $500,000 as of October 2007.

At age 20, Deanna became pregnant and gave birth to Favre's daughter, Brittany Nicole, on February 6, 1989. As a single mother, she put herself through college while working various jobs, including working for a collection agency. She moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin to live with Favre in 1995. Their relationship was strained during this time, which may have been related to Favre's newfound fame as an NFL quarterback and his addiction to Vicodin. Deanna said that Favre often ignored her and Brittany, describing him as "loud, rough, and often hateful." Favre, with Deanna at his side, publicly announced his addiction on May 14, 1996. Deanna and Favre's second daughter, Breleigh Ann, was born on July 13, 1999. In late August 2005, the Favre home in Hattiesburg was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, though no one was injured. The couple housed 50 family members in their home during the storm.