What donors may not realize is, while their gifts are always appreciated by the PBCC, the effect their generosity has on grant and scholarship recipients is what truly makes the difference.  In the week following this year’s conference, letters of thanks and appreciation starting pouring in to our Ephrata office.  Here are just a few of the responses we received:

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition would like to thank everyone who has provided these recipients with the experience of attending our Conference over the past several years.  We could not do what we do, without you!

Remember, together we can “find a cure for breast cancer now… so our daughters won’t have to.”

The four individuals that we honored embody how the power of one can change the lives of many. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, abc27 anchor Alicia Richards, Dr. Nancy Davidson from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and motivational speaker and breast cancer survivor Tammy Miller all spoke about what drives them to make a difference in the lives of others and how they turn awareness in action.

Thank you to all who attended this great event! Photos and recaps from the Conference will be online soon!

Save the date for the 2013 PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference as we showcase “The Power of Pink” and celebrate our 20th Anniversary. We hope you will join us on Tuesday, October 15, 2013! Look for more information over the coming months!

New this year is an individual fundraising opportunity – which allows you the chance to spread the word about the PBCC to friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues while raising funds to help us continue our work for breast cancer survivors and their families. Those who raise additional funds will receive additional PBCC merchandise.

There are many great sponsorship opportunities still available for those businesses and individuals who want to get involved with the conference and reach out to the nearly 1,000 attendees that are expected. Check out the opportunities still available.

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz and abc27 news anchor Alicia Richards will each be presented with the Pink Ribbon Award at the Pink Ribbon luncheon. Nancy Davidson, M.D. will receive the Potamkin Award for Research. Breast cancer survivor, author, and speaker Tammy Miller will be recognized with the Shining Light Award.

Corporate sponsorship opportunities are also available to fit every budget. Also new this year is an opportunity for you to help the PBCC make a bigger impact. Pledge to raise additional money beyond the conference registration fee, and you can earn additional PBCC merchandise. Your help will allow us to continue working on behalf of breast cancer survivors here in Pennsylvania.

Register now and use the promo code EARLY to save $20 off of the registration fee. For those who need some financial assistance to be able to attend the conference, scholarships are available. Please complete the online application to determine your eligibility. Learn more here.

This year, you have two options for registering for the Conference. You may simply register and attend the inspiring event in October. OR you can register and raise awareness of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition through online fundraising. If you fundraise $75, you will receive a FREE pink PBCC umbrella. If you fundraise $150, you will receive a FREE pink PBCC umbrella and an exclusive PBCC totebag. *Please note: in order to receive the free products, you must raise $75 or $150 in addition to being registered for the Conference at the registration rate. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Smith at Info@PABreastCancer.org or 800-377-8828 x109.

Scholarship applications for the Cary Massa Memorial Scholarship Fund are also available online now. These scholarships cover all or part of the Conference registration cost and are available through the generosity of many donors. Separate travel grants are also available to those who meet certain criteria.

Register and save the date for the 2012 Conference! And be sure to share this exciting opportunity with your friends on Facebook or Twitter. We will see you in Harrisburg on October 9th!

With such a large state to work in, we are tasked with what seems impossible with eight full-time employees. Volunteers make the mission of the PBCC achievable. In 2011, we had 302 individuals from all over PA give up their time for a greater good. Jobs included reviewing Refunds for Breast Cancer Research grant applications, presenting or moderating a workshop at our conference, staffing an information table at a health fair, speaking at a fundraiser, shagging baseballs at a Home Run Derby, assembling and customizing Friends Like Me Care Packages, and many more.

The only thing we can say (and we say it every day): thank you. Thank YOU for donating your valuable time to the mission of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. In total, we had 1738.5 hours logged by volunteers across the state. That is OUTSTANDING! Volunteers saved the PBCC $37,134.36 in 2011! I don’t need to tell you that this is incredible!

Thanks to people like you, we are able to keep our doors open and serve the women and families of this great state! Stay tuned for opportunities to get involved at various events across Pennsylvania. If you don’t already receive our monthly e-newsletter Pink Link, sign up! And if you’re interested in volunteering, complete our interest survey and we’ll be in touch!

Here’s to 2012!

Submitted proposals should contain: your contact information; a description of the workshop including the title, workshop goals and objectives; and biographical information and/or a CV for the suggested presenter along with their contact information if different from your own. Please submit your proposal and direct any process related or general conference related questions to Jennifer Pensinger. You will be notified if your workshop is selected.

Over 60 women were assisted by our patient advocacy efforts.  Nearly 1,000 breast cancer survivors, advocates, health care professionals, and community and corporate leaders attended the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference in October. $100,000 was given to Dr. Craig Meyers at the Penn State College of Medicine to further his promising research into a virus that kills breast cancer cells that could potentially lead us to a cure. Grassroots Partners raised over $425,000 to enable us to continue our efforts on behalf of women and their families.

In 2012, we remain committed to representing, supporting and serving breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania. We renew our commitment to the goal of finding a cure for breast cancer now…so our daughters won’t have to.  Please join us!

Our Grassroots Partners were honored at our Evening Reception the evening before the Conference, and our Shining Light Award Winners, Rob Ziemba and Jon Jehrio,shared why they partnered up with the PBCC and how they turned their passion for hockey into a way to support the cause. Potamkin Award winner, Susan M. Domcheck, M.D., told attendees about the important research she has conducted at the Plenary Session the morning of the Conference.