Breast Cancer Coalition

The Breast Cancer Coalition works to end breast cancer by increasing federal funding for research, making sure all women have access to care, and educating and empowering advocates.

How do you help people in my community?

Breast cancer is an urgent and complex women’s health issue in every community in America.  While some progress in the fight to end this disease has been made, highly visible research and awareness activities mislead many to believe that we are winning the battle.  Sadly, the trend is in the wrong direction.  In 1975, a woman in the United States had a one in eleven chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime.  The most recent American Cancer Society statistics predict that one in seven women will be diagnosed; that is almost 270,000 women (and 1,700 men) in 2005 alone.  NBCC/NBCCF fight nationwide to increase federal funding for research.  We work with scientists to focus research on prevention and finding a cure, to make sure all women get care access to breast cancer clinical trials, and to increase the influence of women living with breast cancer and other breast cancer activists wherever breast cancer decisions are made.

Why do you need my support?

NBCC and NBCCF have always been concerned about the perceived influence of money on our work. For example, NBCCF takes no money from the government for any of its programs.  We feel that it is important for patient advocacy and education to be designed, implemented and led by patients in order to be credible. We want to avoid the appearance of bias or undue influence.  By choosing this road, we have taken the harder journey. Therefore, we must rely more heavily on our individual donors.  We thank you in advance for joining us.
NBCC/NBCCF trains individuals to take direct action in the fight against breast cancer.  Our efforts to empower people directly affected by this disease, in addition to advocating on their behalf, makes us a unique grassroots organization.  Many groups work on breast cancer awareness— we do the advocacy and education to make sure that federal dollars fund research and that low income women get care.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

Donations to NBCC/NBCCF help us educate decisionmakers on the importance of federal funding for breast cancer research.  Thus, your donations leverage hundreds of millions of dollars in the fight to eradicate this disease.  In addition, we are audited annually.  We do not have an endowment fund, and we do not raise money for capital projects.  Therefore, your donations directly support NBCC/NBCCF programs.

Can I Volunteer? How?

NBCC is successful thanks to our nationwide network of grassroots activists.  Their commitment, dedication and outstanding work enable NBCC to have a major impact on breast cancer.  We have women and men in every state who care deeply about this cause, who are willing to stand up and make their voices heard to the powers that be, and who are involved constituents who vote. Our network includes hundreds of member organizations and tens of thousands of individuals. NBCC plans to have at least one breast cancer activist organization in every single congressional district in this country.