Since our founding in 1998, BCCRF has educated breast cancer patients, survivors and the lay public through the dissemination of information at lectures, on our website, in our newsletter and through one-on-one mentoring. We launched our micro-grant program in 2021 to expand our commitment to our community. The micro-grant program is for non-profit organizations and institutions to address Breast Cancer Education and Breast Cancer Care. These micro-grants are small, one-time, cash awards given for a short-term community project. Our intent is to provide financing to help these organizations make an impact. To date, we have funded local organizations creating educational webinars in their community and large organizations funding global impact projects. You can learn more about them below. We hope you will join them and apply for our next round of funding.
Avera Cancer Institute: Breast Cancer Education and Survivor Event in South Dakota
This community led event is focused on American Indian women living in and around the Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation. The event will provide education about breast cancer and screening and prevention measures. Presentations by local community breast cancer survivors will further educate the attendees about treatment decisions and survivorship.
Breast Cancer Angels
Breast Cancer Angels provides financial assistance for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment so that they may focus on healing. They received a micro-grant to be used to provide transportation services to patients who do not have a reliable support system to go to and from chemotherapy sessions. Throughout Southern California, Breast Cancer Angles help approximately 150 families each month.
California Health Collaborative
The California Health Collaborative is committed to enhancing the quality of life and health of the people of California, particularly the underserved and underrepresented. Within the organization is a volunteer-driven Latinx Task Force. They received a micro-grant for their program “ABC: Alcohol to Breast Cancer” designed to raise awareness of the link between breast cancer and alcohol consumption. They will focus on the LGBTQI+ Latinx community throughout Los Angeles County.
Cancer Kinship
Cancer Kinship is a Southern California based nonprofit with a mission to empower the cancer community to confidently face the disease through peer mentorship and emotional support, survivor empowerment and education, free wigs and community resource navigation. Funding was provided for the Cafecitos Hope project which offers a culturally responsive, peer-led space for Spanish speaking individuals affected by cancer. The space offers emotional support, education and connection in their native language.
Cedar Valley Cancer Committee’s Beyond Pink Team: The Cancer Journey
The Beyond Pink TEAM will implement The Cancer Journey, a novel educational online resource with curated video and written content for breast cancer patients. This online tool makes it easy to find and access credible, reliable and current information.
City of Hope: Developing an Educational Film on Fine Needle Aspiration
Dr Lesley Taylor continues her efforts working with Hawassa University School of Nursing and the Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Cancer Treatment Center in Ethiopia. The goal is to train nurses on fine needle aspiration. This rapid diagnostic service may help decrease delays in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
City of Hope with Hawassa University
Dr. Lesley Taylor of City of Hope received a Micro-grant to use toward her innovative program “Improving Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Through Nursing Education in Africa.” Working with the Dean and faculty of Hawassa University School of Nursing in Ethiopia, Dr. Taylor’s team is creating an educational program for 20-30 nurses working in the local hospital. This project will serve as an important pilot which can be implemented in other nursing educational programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
City of Hope’s Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group
The City of Hope Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group received a micro-grant to celebrate with a half day retreat a group of Stage 4 breast cancer patients. These resilient, courageous patients require active cancer treatment for the rest of their lives, awaiting a cure. Part of the retreat will be to create a group legacy project.
Journey of Faith: Chat & Chew Breast Cancer Education in Alabama
A community led organization focusing on educating women from low income and rural areas on breast cancer. Information such as understanding the risk for breast cancer, making healthy choices and the importance of knowing one’s family history will be presented. Discussions will be led by local medical professionals as well as current patients/survivors.
LeftRight 4 U Foundation
LeftRight 4 U is dedicated to uplifting and empowering single mothers women facing the challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis and domestic violence in San Bernardino County, California. The foundation provides support, education and advocacy to ensure these women regain control of their lives. Funding was provided as part of the financial assistance program to help alleviate the burden of transportation expenses and medical copays.
Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance
The Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance, founded by a national network of patient advocates, received a micro-grant to translate their popular online document, ILC Fact Sheet. They will translate this informative document into 14 different languages to educate a wider audience on the facts about ILC, the second most common breast cancer subtype.
Northwest Montana Chicks N Chaps
Based in Missoula, Montana, the Northwest Chicks N Chaps (CnC) was founded by a group of Montanans whose lives have been profoundly impacted by breast cancer. CnC is dedicated to helping communities raise money for locals impacted by breast cancer while promoting the sport of rodeo and the western lifestyle. Funding was provided for their new Treatment Transportation Program designed to alleviate some of the financial burden associated with travel to medical appointments.
Sikora Research Lab, University of Colorado’s Anschultz Medical Campus
The Sikora Research Lab, located at the University of Colorado, received a grant to hold an in-person meeting with local patients, advocates and clinicians in the Denver and Mountain West community focused on education about the unique clinical features of lobular breast cancer. The Sikora Lab is the only research program dedicated to lobular cancer in the Mountain West region.
Thriving Pink: From Treatment to Survivorship
Thriving Pink is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the people of Yolo County, California, who are impacted by breast cancer. They provide a network of support and resources within the community. Funding was provided for the ProspeROSA program that provides outreach and support for the large Latina and Spanish-speaking communities of Yolo County. The program is grounded in the understanding that being culturally competent involves understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds, including language, values and health care needs.
Young Survival Coalition
The Young Survival Coalition was awarded a micro-grant to develop an interactive Breast Cancer Education Webinar on topics specific to the challenges that young adults with breast cancer face, including medical treatments, sex and intimacy, survivorship and quality of life. The primary target population includes young adults under age 40 diagnosed and living with a history of breast cancer and young adults living with metastatic breast cancer.