There are many ways you can help the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. From our Home Run Derby, to volunteering at any number of events, there is something you can do.
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!
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) gave an additional $100,000 research grant to Dr. Craig Meyers and his team at Penn State College of Medicine today. The announcement came at the 2011 PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference held at the Hilton Harrisburg attended by over 1,000 people. This grant marks the single-largest research contribution made by the PBCC in its 18-year history and it follows a 2007 PBCC Pennsylvania Income Tax Refund for Research grant of $35,000 to Dr. Meyers.
Through this PBCC funded research, Dr. Meyers discovered that adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) kills breast cancer cells in every stage in the laboratory in tissue culture dishes. AAV2 is a nondisease-causing virus that kills human breast cancer cells and often infects humans. Preliminary research using AAV2 to treat breast cancer cells in a mouse model has also yielded promising results but needs further study.
“I’ve been working with this significant nondisease-causing virus that kills human breast cancer cells in the laboratory because we know that breast cancer has a complex structure and differing types,” said Dr. Craig Meyers, professor of microbiology and immunology at Penn State College of Medicine.
Referring to these exciting new findings as, “what, for decades, the medical community has worked towards and the rest of the world has been waiting for,” Pat Halpin-Murphy, president and founder of the PBCC said that her pioneering organization is thrilled to be part of Dr. Meyers’discovery of a virus that kills all stages and all types of breast cancer cells in the laboratory.
“Breast cancer survivors, their families, and all girls and women and those that care for them look forward to the final phase of this research–clinical trials with humans. While that final step may still be years away, it gives us hope that we will discover a cure so our daughters and granddaughters won’t have to. Dr. Meyers’ break-through is a real-world example that research is our best weapon in battling breast cancer,” added Halpin-Murphy.
Halpin-Murphy went on to say that “each day, 32 women in Pennsylvania are diagnosed with breast cancer and over 2,000 die every year from the devastating disease.”
“We are extremely grateful to the Coalition for their generous support of Dr. Meyers’ research,” said Richard J. Courtney, Ph.D., chair, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Penn State College of Medicine. “The recent findings of his research group are very exciting; however, much additional research remains to be done. This grant will be instrumental in helping Dr. Meyers and his colleagues to further advance this highly promising breast cancer research ongoing within his laboratory.”
The PBCC established and oversees the Refunds for Breast Cancer Research program, which uses donations from Pennsylvanians to fund vital research grants across the state. State residents may contribute all or part of their state income tax refund to the Refunds for Research program to help find a cure. To date, Pennsylvanians have donated over $2.8 million with the average donation from taxpayers being $8. Thanks to the PBCC’s program, nearly 70 research grants have been awarded to outstanding Pennsylvania scientists.
The PBCC represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure now…so our daughters and granddaughters won’t have to. For more information, visit www.PABreastCancer.org or call 800-377-8828.
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.
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.
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.
October is just around the corner – which means the time to register for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference is NOW! The conference is a perfect blend of education and inspiration for everyone who has been touched by breast cancer. Join us in honoring our 2011 Pink Ribbon Award RecipientsDr. Thomas G. Frazier and Mimi Barash Coppersmith, who have each championed the cause in different ways, at our exciting Pink Ribbon Luncheon.
With workshops covering topics from advocacy to treatment, there’s certainly something for all to take away from the day-long conference. Whether you are a breast cancer survivor, a friend or family member, a health care provider, a community leader, or a concerned citizen – the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference is for you. Click here to see a complete list of the workshop sessions scheduled for this exciting day!
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is offering a wide range of experience in all aspects of non-profit operations, public relations and event management through assisting the Executive Director and other staff as needed.
Some duties may include, but not be limited to:
Work on the PBCC’s statewide educational and outreach programs:
Interact with local event committees, state agencies, legislative contacts and media
Write press releases, blog posts and articles as needed
Coordinate volunteers for PBCC events and health fairs
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is located at 344 North Reading Road in Ephrata, Lancaster County. It was founded in 1993 and is the only statewide grassroots organization in Pennsylvania that speaks to and for breast cancer survivors.
Applicants should possess:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience using Microsoft Office (Adobe Photoshop and InDesign experience preferred, but not required)
Ability to work independently and in a team setting
Excellent project management and organizational skills
Join us in honoring the 2011 PBCC Conference Award Recipients on Tuesday, October 11! Dr. Thomas G. Frazier, Medical Director of the Main Line Health – Bryn Mawr Comprehensive Breast Center, and Mimi Barash Coppersmith, Chairman of The Barash Group, will receive the Pink Ribbon Award. Dr. Susan Domchek of the Abramson Cancer Center and the University of Pennsylvania will be presented with the Potamkin Award.
The Shining Light Award will be given to Grassroots Partners Rob Ziemba and Jon Jehrio for their continued support of the PBCC through an annual ice hockey event featuring the Hanson Brothers. These deserving individuals have each made significant contributions to the fight against breast cancer. Their contributions vary in nature, with some battling the disease in a medical setting through treating patients or conducting research while others participate through advocacy or fundraising efforts. Want to be a part of the celebration? Register now to receive the early bird rate on your registration.
Make your PBCC Annual Conference experience twice as nice by taking advantage of our Bring a Friend Conference Registration discount. Buddy up and sign up for the October 11, 2011 conference, which will feature workshops on topics to challenge your mind and your soul – topics ranging from surgical options for breast cancer to the healing power of forgiveness.
Early bird Bring a Friend Registration for the conference is $100, which covers the cost of two conference registrations. Register as a pair and treat a friend, sister, daughter, mother, or colleague to an inspiring day devoted to breast cancer issues. Individual early bird registrations are $65 each.
Confirmed workshop topics and presenters include:
Free Treatment: The Ins and Outs of PA’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program presented by Joe Burkhart, PA Department of Health and Jane Marsteller, PA Department of Public Welfare
Inflammatory Breast Cancer presented by Massimo Cristofanilli, M.D., Fox Chase Cancer Center
Release! The Healing Power of Forgivenesspresented by Rev. Dr. Michael Barry, Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Living Well During and After Breast Cancer: Stress Reduction and a Healthy Lifestyle presented by Aimée E. Todd-Pillman, PsyD, The Reading Hospital Regional Cancer Center and Amy Burke, Windber Medical Center
The Basics of Chemotherapy presented by Kathryn A. Peroutka, M.D., Andrews & Patel Associates, PC
The Latest In Breast Cancer Research and Clinical Trials presented byPriya Rastogi, M.D., NSABP
Breast Imaging 101 presented byAlison Chetlen, D.O., Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Does The Food We Eat Have an Impact on Our Health After Surviving Breast Cancer? presented by Dawn Palacios, R.D., LDN, Good Samaritan Hospital
Surgical Treatment Options for Breast Cancer: Which Way is the Pendulum Swinging Now?presented by Sun Yong Lee, M.D., FACS, Jefferson Breast Care Center
Many more workshops will be announced in the coming weeks, so please check the conference website for more details!
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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.
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The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is offering a wide range of experience in all aspects of non-profit operations, public relations and event management through assisting the Executive Director and other staff as needed.
