From Awareness to Action – Make Your Gift Count
By Christina Thompson, Executive Director
Dear Friends,
This is a busy time for us at the Coalition. As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (which was September), this is a meaningful time for both reflection and forward thinking. Over the past 27 years, our foundation has made a lasting impact—rooted in our unwavering commitment to our four pillars of service: Support, Education, Research, and Advocacy.
Support
Receiving a diagnosis of breast or gynecologic cancer can be a time of uncertainty filled with questions, anxieties, and many unknowns. We know the importance of connection and creating a safe environment for someone to find support. Whether an individual is newly diagnosed or several years into survivorship, the Coalition provides free discussion groups, Healing Arts courses like Gentle Yoga and Qi Gong, and an opportunity for peer mentorship through our PALS (Peer Advocates Lending Support) program. Our supportive resources offer strong networks so that no one faces their diagnosis, treatment, or survivorship alone.
Education
Our Evening Education Webinar Series is free and open to the public. Featuring a variety of topics that benefit our survivor community, each webinar is professionally facilitated and highlights the essential work our regional experts do to support those impacted by breast and gynecologic cancers. In September we offered the 5th annual Gynecologic Cancer Webinar Series to the community. This month, we are thrilled to offer a combined Advanced Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Webinar Series to equitably serve our survivor community. All webinars are recorded and available for later viewing on our website in our webinar library.
Research
In June, we were pleased to award $100,000 in seed grants to three local researchers examining the cause, prevention, and cure of breast cancer. To date, the Coalition has awarded over $1.2 million in funding. These grants have supported highly innovative research projects, many of which go on to receive national-level funding and eventually launch clinical trials. Our Research Initiative is the only of its kind in our region, and we look forward to opening requests for proposals to gynecologic cancer researchers in the near future.
Advocacy
Our robust committee of survivor advocates, determined community members, and local experts is a force for change. In May, a cohort of Emerging Leaders and Coalition staff went to an Advocate Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., for a dive into breast cancer research and policy. They advocated for the passage of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act (H.R.2048) on Capitol Hill, which would guarantee Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and Medicare coverage for those under age 65 living with metastatic breast cancer. We also remain committed to supporting the Beauty Justice Act (A2054/S2057) in New York State to remove toxic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals from personal care products and cosmetics. Looking ahead, we will empower survivor advocates and our members to amplify their voices and impact meaningful changes in policy.
With our strong foundation comes opportunities for growth and renewal. We are currently in the first year of our three-year Strategic Plan, which will examine our successes and new ways to engage with our community. Our vision is to create a space where every voice impacted by breast or gynecologic cancer is valued and empowered by prioritizing equity and diversity in leadership, programming, and outreach.
The Breast Cancer Coalition has and always will provide every service free of charge to those affected by breast and gynecologic cancers. Our dedication to creating connections for our survivor community is fueled by the ongoing support we are so fortunate to have from friends and donors like you. Please, if you are able, won’t you consider a gift to help the Coalition continue our mission today?
None of this would be possible without your support.
With gratitude,
Christina Thompson, Executive Director
