Giuliana Rancic hopes her double mastectomy will raise cancer awareness

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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 13: Giuliana Rancic attends the 18th Annual QVC "FFANY Shoes On Sale" at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 13, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) R:\Merlin\Getty_Photos\129197542.jpg

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Updated: January 7, 2012 8:10AM

In announcing she will undergo a double mastectomy next week, E! News host and part-time Chicagoan Giuliana Rancic is continuing to use her personal struggle as a way to join so many other women in bringing attention to the national scourge of breast cancer.

“This is just how Giu­li­ana is,” said one of her closest friends Monday. “She understands she has a big platform that can help other women who may face some of the same challenges she is facing now.”

On the “Today” show Monday, Rancic, joined by her husband and reality TV co-star Bill Rancic, explained this next surgery “was not an easy decision, but it was the best decision for me” after an earlier double lumpectomy (along with radiation) apparently wasn’t as effective as her doctors had hoped.

The source added that Rancic “is very lucky she has Bill. It’s he who has made Giuliana realize he wants her healthy and with him for many, many years to come.

“He is not the least concerned about any scars she will have,” said the friend. “He is not that shallow — but then that’s obvious to anyone who knows him.”

IRONIC TWIST: When Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries were discussing ending their marriage, it was Kardashian who first suggested they get an annulment — until her attorneys said fraud would be the only logical legal argument, since the other reasons for annulments (not consummating the union, etc.) were clearly not appropriate. Hence, Ms. Kim rejected an annulment out of hand.

Though Humphries initially went along — leading Kardashian to file for divorce — it was his quick reversal and filing for annulment on grounds the marriage indeed was fraudulent that has made the Kardashians so enraged and vowing “a fight to the death,” says a good source.

STAR POWER: Some of our best known actors with major Chicago roots — all of whom have played cops — will tape a public service announcement Monday in L.A. for the 100 Club of Chicago, led by chair Jim Riley and executive director Joe Ahern.Gary Sinise, Dennis Farina

(himself a former real policeman), Dennis Franz , Tom Dreesen, Joe Mantegna and William Petersen are scheduled to star in the PSA — a great boost for that wonderful organization that provides aid to the families of fallen police officers, firefighters and paramedics.

Dreesen, the entertainer best known as a comedian, will make his umpteenth appearance on David Letterman’s show Wednesday night. … Meanwhile, Farina will be back home Tuesday, appearing at the Midwest Independent Film Festival’s annual awards night gala at Rockit Bar & Grill to celebrate his Chicago-made “Last Rites of Joe May.”

† Hershey Felder — here through Dec. 30 in his acclaimed show “Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein” at the Royal George — launches his “Lincoln: An American Story” on March 28 at the Pasadena Playhouse in California, backed by a 45-piece orchestra. Felder’s Lincoln piece focuses on the last nine hours of the president before his assassination — seen from the perspective of his doctor, Charles Augustus Leale.

SAD NEWS: The enormous legion of Beverly Blettner’s friends and admirers is mourning the passing of that wonderful lady, who died Sunday evening after a heroic and long battle against cancer.

To name the many worthy causes Beverly aided — and for which she raised millions — would fill this entire page, and then some.

While she was a social doyenne and major player in this city’s civic life, Beverly had a huge circle of friends, the most eclectic of anyone I’ve ever known. Her good friend Bob Cichocki put it best Monday: “Beverly was equally comfortable sipping champagne at a fancy soiree or RL as she was sitting on the floor eating pizza and drinking a beer.”

Simply put: She was one truly great dame.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Rapper Chet Haze (a.k.a. Tom Hanks’ son Chester Hanks) was spotted at Tzar Ultra Lounge. … Gov. Pat Quinn was seen dining at Park Grill in Millennium Park. … The Fray swung by Rockit Bar & Grill. … Actress Vanessa Lengies had her “Glee” fans ogling her at Paris Club, while Jimmy John’s founder Jimmy John Liautaud looked on. … Given her back-on beau Jay Cutler wasn’t playing, no surprise Kristin Cavallari skipped the Bears game Sunday to get a massage at the Dana Hotel’s spa. … Carnivale welcomed Sox GM Kenny Williams and Dickey Simpkins the other night. … Yes, that was Florence Welch — and her whole Florence + the Machine team — seen checking into the Wit Hotel.