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.”

• Representative Garth Everett Team – 1,055 points (Williamsport Winners!)
• Swinging for Second Base – 790 points
• Chesapeake Energy Team 1 – 730 points
• Chesapeake Energy Team 2 – 500 points

Special thank you to all the media partners who came out to the event, including WNEP Channel 16, WBRE-TV and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Check out the video clip from WBRE here. Additionally thanks to the staff at the Crosscutters and our great volunteers who stayed throughout the entire day!  View all of our photos from the Williamsport Derby here. Next up: Lancaster on Saturday, July 28! Follow us @PBCC for live tweets during game days!

The PBCC presented Allan Lipton, M.D. of the Penn State College of Medicine with a $50,000 grant at a kick-off event for the 2012 Refunds for Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Campaign at the Capitol Building. Michael Wolf , Executive Deputy Secretary at the PA Department of Health, and Debbie Freer, a breast cancer survivor and PBCC Board Member joined PBCC President & Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy in speaking at the event.

Dr. Lipton was one of three Pennsylvania researchers chosen to receive a research grant this year through the PBCC’s Refunds for Breast and Cervical Cancer Research program. His research centers on metastases and whether a biomarker can be found in blood to help doctors determine which of two FDA-approved therapies would be more effective in treating the patient. The two other researchers – Andy Minn, M.D., Ph.D. and Takemi Tanaka, Ph.D. – were presented with their grants at an event held at Philadelphia City Hall in February.

With only days left to file your taxes, be sure to check yes on line 35 of your PA state income tax form to donate all or part of your refund to the PBCC’s Refunds for Research program.

Since the launch of the PBCC’s online course on Pennsylvania’s FREE Treatment for Breast and Cervical Cancer program on March 7, more than 110 people have learned how to help uninsured and underinsured women get the treatment and care they need to fight a breast cancer diagnosis. You too can take the course and learn how this program saves lives! The free online course is open to all and the continuing education credits for nurses and social workers are free.

Here is some of the feedback the PBCC has received from those who took the online course:

“This was exceptional!! Thanks so much for providing this valuable info – I hope many people take advantage of the learning opportunity.”

“Thank you so much for offering this course. I am currently enrolled in the program and quite honestly it has been a true lifesaver. I would hate to think where I would be if this program did not exist. I wanted to learn more about the program so I could educate others.”

“I found this course to be very helpful. I work as an ER social worker and occasionally have women – especially young women with families – who would qualify for this program.”

Take a read through our online edition and share it with your friends!

Those who take the course will have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of this important program, and how it serves as a lifeline for those who are uninsured and underinsured battling breast cancer. As part of the course, you can review real-life case studies and read inspiring stories from survivors who benefitted from the program.

If you have any questions or problems with the course, please contact Jen at Jennifer@pabreastcancer.org or 800-377-8828 x101. Please note that the course is not compatible with mobile devices.

Dr. Andy Minn and Dr. Takemi Tanaka were each presented with $50,000 awards at an event in Philadelphia’s City Hall in February. Last October, Dr. Craig Meyers, a previous Refunds for Research award recipient, announced the discovery of a virus that kills breast cancer cells – a groundbreaking discovery that could bring us closer to a cure than ever before.

Over $2.8 million has been raised through the PBCC’s Refunds for Research program thanks to the generosity of Pennsylvania’s taxpayers. You CAN make a difference. Help us reach $3 million this year – look for line 35 on your PA state income tax form and donate all or part of your PA state income tax refund to the PBCC’s Refunds for Breast and Cervical Cancer Research.

Breast cancer survivor and Philadelphia County exhibit participant Judi Blue shared her story with the audience. PBCC President & Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy invited all survivors to join her and Judi to celebrate the courage, hope and dignity with which they have faced breast cancer in a powerful ceremony at the podium.

The 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania traveling photo exhibit is funded by the PA Department of Health.

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.