Editor’s Note: This post was written by our Founder/CEO, Janelle Hail. We need to silence the voices in our heads that say mammograms are not necessary.  Statistics from the American Cancer Society say breast cancer death rates are down 39% since 1989, attributed to both improvements in treatment and early detection by mammograms. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34. Early detection saved my life! Mammograms are an intrical part of survival tools for women today. Five years after my original diagnosis of breast cancer, I received a call from my doctor’s nurse with news from a r ..read more

People often ask whether Breast Cancer Awareness efforts are still necessary since so many people are already aware of the disease. Yet every day we meet women who still have more to learn about their breast health. Supporters like you are helping women receive critical breast health education and empowering them to know how to use it. Here’s the story of two women who were already quite knowledgeable about breast health, but they still learned something new: We recently met Elizabeth, 39, and her daughter Adrianna, 17, at the Convoy of Hope event in San Antonio, Texas. They did not plan to at ..read more

When we sent out an email asking supporters to share their personal stories of how breast cancer has changed their lives, Frances Lopez of Maryland eagerly responded. Here’s her story of how breast cancer became a part of her life—twice—to the surprise of her doctor: My breast cancer journey began in 1998 when I was 48 years old, living in Rhode Island. I was having pain in my left breast. It was unusual and I remember thinking, “something is wrong.” My doctor assured me, saying, “I don’t think it is cancer, but let’s get a mammogram and an ultrasound because it could be a cyst.” The mammogram ..read more

Editor’s Note: This post was written by our Marketing Manager, Rebecca Anderson. We recently learned that another of the nine beautiful women who attended our first Metastatic Breast Cancer Retreat last April has passed away. It’s been just one year and now three of the attendees are no longer with us. This news was a heart-crushing reminder of the relentless nature of Stage 4 breast cancer. Our blog series last year defined metastatic breast cancer as “cancer that will be a part of your life…for the rest of your life.” As we learned of yet another woman gone too soon, our friend and retreat v ..read more

We recently celebrated our third annual Legends Pink Night with the Texas Legends, our local NBA Development League team.  Just like in 2015 & 2016, it was a fun and festive night in which the Legends players donned pink, as did their dancers and fans, in celebration of Helping Women Now®.   We again had lots of fun engaging with fans and followers on social media using the hashtag: #LegendsPinkNight.  And, most importantly, we again honored the brave survivors in the arena and took a moment to reflect on how many fans—and their families—had been touched in some way by breast cancer ..read more

If the love of your life might have an increased risk of breast cancer due to genetics, would you want to know? On the one hand, you might experience relief—or even a degree of peace—if you learn she does not.  On the other hand, knowing she does can provide a sense of control over the disease. However, the knowledge of a confirmed genetic risk can also present a series of complex worries and more decisions for the patient: Should I have a preventative mastectomy? What about an oophorectomy? How do I tell my sisters/mother about my results? What about my daughters/granddaughters? Will they hav ..read more

“Aloha” is a word so beautiful it has nearly as many meanings as there are Hawaiian Islands, including hello, goodbye, love, kindness, and affection.  We love this encouraging patient testimonial from breast cancer survivor Bonnie McCarthy who received screenings and patient navigation services at The Queen’s Medical Center  in Honolulu, HI—thanks to the generosity of NBCF’s supporters. This support helped her experience the feeling of aloha at a time when she needed it most: “I moved to Hawaii in 1973, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else because the people here have so much aloha—love ..read more

You can’t talk to breast cancer survivor Sulie Spencer without being reminded of our belief that no one should face breast cancer alone.  Woven throughout Sulie’s inspiring story is a prevailing theme of persevering through the power of community and friendship. Diagnosed for the first time in 1976, Sulie recently celebrated her 40th “cancer-versary”, having also survived a second breast cancer diagnosis in 2002, as well as lymphoma and mesothelioma earlier this year.  Sulie, who has been a housekeeper for the same family for 53 years, was diagnosed within months of the family’s matriar ..read more

Editor’s Note: This post was written by NBCF Programs Coordinator, Cinthia Gonzalez. Every year National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) partners with Convoy of Hope to provide breast cancer education and early detection services to over 10,000 women at community outreaches across the country. These events take place in both urban and rural communities, serving women and families in need. For many of these women, it’s the first time they’ve been empowered to take charge of their breast health. This summer I had the privilege of serving at one of these events alongside 56 NBCF volunteers ..read more

We are grateful for those who share our belief that no one should face breast cancer alone.  This commitment to Helping Women Now® is the reason many of our corporate partners are passionate about supporting NBCF’s programs.  One of those partners, Le-Vel, sent us the beautiful story of Raquel Johnson who turned her own breast cancer journey into a way to motivate and encourage others to pursue early detection, practice healthy habits, and hold on to hope: Raquel was 41 years old when a knee injury during the winter of 2011 sent her to the doctor. While there, her doctor mentioned tha ..read more