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PBCC Awards $100,000 Research Grant at Conference

Posted By on October 19th, 2011 at 9:14 am | 2 comments.

Those who were expecting a day of educational and motivational workshops, exciting speakers and inspirational stories, got that and more at the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference this year! The PBCC awarded an additional $100,000 grant to researcher Dr. Craig Meyers in order to further his breakthrough research that may ultimately hold the key to a cure.

Dr. Meyers, a researcher at Penn State College of Medicine, and his team were among those surprised by the grant award. His initial discovery of a virus that kills breast cancer cells in a laboratory setting was funded by a grant from the PBCC’s Refunds for Research program. PBCC President & Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy described the discovery as “what the world has been waiting for.” The PBCC’s $100,000 contribution will enable the research to continue while additional funding is sought to continue the study.

In addition to the surprise grant award presentation, the conference provided the hundreds of attendees with the opportunity to take part in educational workshops, listen to knowledgeable speakers, recognize outstanding awardees, enjoy a delicious luncheon, and browse vendor tables. Thank you to PBCC Conference Honorary Chair First Lady Susan Corbett, our 2011 award recipients, and all the sponsors, exhibitors and attendees for joining us in making history at this year’s conference!

Turning Breast Cancer Awareness Into Action

Posted By on October 19th, 2011 at 9:13 am | 0 comments.

When we started the PBCC in 1993, breast cancer was talked about in hushed tones. Breast cancer survivors didn’t have organizations or support groups to help them through their experience.  Fortunately, things have since changed. Eighteen years later, the PBCC and many other organizations remain devoted to the fight against breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month has grown into an internationally recognized phenomenon, where companies make nearly anything you can think of in pink to promote breast cancer awareness.

At the PBCC, we are pleased to partner with companies like Martin’s Potato Chips, who have made an annual tradition of producing special pink ribbon packaging for Breast Cancer Awareness Month each year and donating a portion of the proceeds to the PBCC.

We are honored that hundreds of individuals have given of their time and talent to think about ways to raise money for the work of the PBCC just by doing what they love.

We are inspired by the hardworking researchers here in Pennsylvania who look to unlock the mysteries of breast cancer in order to develop better methods of detection, improved treatments, and ultimately a cure for this disease.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to highlight the fight against breast cancer and turn awareness into action. We at the PBCC believe it is ultimately a means to an end. The goal of the PBCC is and always has been to find a cure for breast cancer so our daughters won’t have to. Until that happens, we remain committed to supporting research that will help lead us to a cure and working tirelessly on behalf of those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families. Join the PBCC in turning awareness into action.

PBCC Conference Contest

Posted By on September 19th, 2011 at 2:07 pm | 0 comments.

What did your experience with breast cancer teach you? Did it teach you about your own strength? What did you learn about the people around you? Were you inspired to become an advocate or make a career change? Share your story with the PBCC. In 500 words or less, tell us about your experience and you could be selected to be featured in one of the PBCC’s upcoming newsletters. One grand prize winner will receive two registrations to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference. Email your story to contests@pabreastcancer.org by October 3 for consideration for our grand prize.

In the News: Male Breast Cancer Patient Receives Insurance Help

Posted By on September 19th, 2011 at 2:06 pm | 0 comments.

A South Carolina man will receive treatment for breast cancer under Medicaid’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program after originally being denied coverage because of his gender. In fact, the South Carolina Medicaid agency ruled that all uninsured or underinsured men diagnosed with breast cancer who meet the program eligibility requirements should now receive treatment.

The South Carolina ruling means that the state will be referring Raymond Johnson’s case to the federal Medicaid program. If the federal program denies the claim, South Carolina will likely appeal the denial. If the appeal fails, South Carolina will cover the cost of Mr. Johnson’s treatment on its own. South Carolina hopes that the U.S. Medicare and Medicaid agency will overturn the rule barring males from receiving coverage through the program, paving the way for all uninsured and underinsured men to receive coverage for breast cancer treatment nationwide.  Click here to see how Pennsylvania has adopted the BCCPT program!

While breast cancer incidence among men occurs 100 times less than in women, there are still over 2,000 men diagnosed each year.

Why You Should Follow PBCC on Facebook and Twitter

Posted By on September 19th, 2011 at 2:05 pm | 0 comments.

The rise of social media has provided the PBCC with additional means to communicate to those who are interested in the work of our organization. The addition of social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter give the PBCC another instantaneous way to communicate and interact with those who care about breast cancer issues in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Follow the PBCC on Facebook or Twitter if you have social media accounts of your own. There you’ll be able to see links to stories of interest, a recap of some of our Grassroots Partners and media events, and other items of note in real time. And you can interact with us – let us know if you were at one of the events, give us your insight or share your experience.

If you know anyone who would like to receive Pink Link, please have them sign up here.

We hope to see you on Facebook and Twitter soon!

CancerCare

Posted By on September 19th, 2011 at 2:04 pm | 0 comments.

CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization that provides free professional support services to cancer patients, caregivers, and family members. They offer counseling, support groups, educational workshops, community programs, and publications that may be of use to anyone affected by cancer. They also provide financial assistance as it relates to certain treatment-related costs for eligible individuals.

CancerCare has a comprehensive user-friendly website that may help answer many questions you may be facing as a patient, caregiver, or family member coping with cancer. Among the website’s resources are a list of inspirational stories and a Q&A section that focuses on a particular cancer related topic each month.

Survivor Spotlight – Heather Stempka, Erie County

Posted By on September 19th, 2011 at 2:03 pm | 0 comments.

Following her second breast cancer diagnosis at 33 years old, Heather Stempka wanted to reassure other young women that they didn’t have to take the breast cancer journey on their own. She co-founded Linked by Pink, which is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about breast cancer in young women, particularly those who were diagnosed under the age of 45, and that provides resources to them.

While Linked by Pink is based in Erie, PA, Heather has used social media outlets like Facebook to broaden the horizons for the organization. Heather will be presenting the “Advocacy Using Social Media” workshop at the 2011 PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference on Tuesday, October 11.

Heather’s passion for helping people led her back to school to finish her degree in psychology with a minor in crisis counseling. She will graduate next summer from Liberty University.

Linked by Pink offers $500 medical grants to assist women battling breast cancer. Currently, the grants are only available to those who live within a 45 mile radius of Erie, PA, although they hope to extend their reach further in the future. For information on how to apply for these grants, visit the Linked by Pink website.

Cancer Clinical Trials Cooperative Groups Undergo Restructuring

Posted By on September 19th, 2011 at 2:02 pm | 0 comments.

By: Barbara C. Good, Ph.D.    It is not only private citizens who are undergoing belt tightening in these difficult economic times.  The National Cancer Institute (NCI), which has for years funded clinical trials carried out by the 10 adult cancer cooperative trials groups, recently determined that there be only four such groups from this point forward into the foreseeable future.  At this time, the previous groups are coming to agreements among themselves about which groups will merge together to meet this mandate.

Government-funded clinical trials will continue, but the manner in which they are carried out, how exactly the different groups’ methods of operation will be melded, and issues such as the particulars of data analysis and sample storage are as of now under consideration by the group chairs.

Under the new system, it is critical that NCI-sponsored trials continue to attract patient participants.  The federal government, unlike private industry, can for the most part conduct these studies without the burden, real or perceived, of financial interest being a driving factor.  Government-sponsored clinical trials have led to many of the advances in cancer treatment made over the past 40 years, including, in breast cancer trials, the option of lumpectomy and radiation instead of mastectomy, the common use of chemotherapy for treatment, and the use of tamoxifen as a preventive agent for women at high risk. Click here for more information about the current state of the clinical trials cooperative groups. Or, for more information on clinical trials in general, click here.

Check Your Calendar for PBCC Conference

Posted By on September 19th, 2011 at 2:01 pm | 0 comments.

Is Tuesday, October 11 circled on your calendar? If not, there’s still time to join hundreds of breast cancer survivors and advocates at the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference in Harrisburg for an unforgettable day full of educational workshops, engaging speakers, a delicious luncheon, and many new friends. Register now using coupon code PINK to save $10 off your $85 registration fee.

Help us honor the achievements of our 2011 Conference Award Recipients, who have each made significant contributions in the fight against breast cancer in their own way – whether it be through research or treatment of the disease, or through advocacy and fundraising. Choose from 13 workshops with topics varying from cutting edge research to advocacy. Browse our exhibitor tables and get a head start on holiday shopping.

With something for everyone, you don’t want to miss the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference. Register now. Click here.

Share Your Story and Win

Posted By on September 19th, 2011 at 2:00 pm | 0 comments.

As breast cancer survivors, we each have a story. Most have a similar beginning – usually with the words, “You have breast cancer.” But what happens next is what makes each of us unique. How we respond, what we must do, what decisions we make – no two journeys are the same. We at the PBCC want to hear your stories.

We want to share them with other breast cancer survivors, advocates and family members. We are holding a contest for survivors to submit their stories, which we may feature in an upcoming Survivor Spotlight in either our Pink Link or FrontLine newsletters. One grand prize winner will receive two FREE registrations for our 2011 PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference, and everyone will receive a free gift for submitting their story. Entry details can be found here.