Finding a cure now...so our daughters won't have to.

Knock It Out of the Park in July, We’ll See You in October!

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:03 am | 0 comments.

It’s not just the weather heating up! Excitement surrounding the Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer Home Run Derby is at a fever pitch with the first crack of the bat just under 3 months away. While the dates are set, the lineup isn’t –so won’t you join us this July as a batter, sponsor, volunteer or spectator?

With 11 dates set at locations across the state, there’s bound to be an opportunity to get involved near you. As a special bonus, if you are one of the first eleven teams to register before the end of April, you get two free registrations for our Annual Conference in October! What a great way to see firsthand the strength and courage of breast cancer survivors and the commitment of advocates. Use the registrations for members of your team or for the breast cancer survivor or advocate in your life that inspired you to step up to the plate and take a swing!

Posted in: Annual Conference, Events, Grassroots Partners, Home Run Derby, Pink Link
Tags: Awareness, baseball, event, home run, teams, Volunteer

Survivor Spotlight: Barbara Eyrich

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:02 am | 12 comments.

When Barbara Eyrich volunteered at the PBCC’s 2008 Home Run Derby in Reading, she couldn’t anticipate she would be diagnosed with breast cancer two years later in May 2010. Barb originally heard about the PBCC through a women’s group she belonged to and was excited to read about the Derby. The following year she learned that Harleysville Savings Bank, where she is a loan officer, had teams participating in the Home Run Derby in Allentown.

So she and her daughter switched their volunteer efforts to the 2009 Lehigh Valley Home Run Derby. Last summer, Barb returned to the Home Run Derby just one month after having breast cancer surgery. She loves being involved in the event, lining up batters for their photos and helping to keep the day running smoothly.

She is just about finished with radiation now and says that having a positive attitude throughout has allowed her to focus on the end result. Her husband and children have been her biggest supporters and she is very grateful to them. Join Barb at the Home Run Derby at Coca-Cola Park on July 6th!

Posted in: Pink Link, Survivor Spotlight, Uncategorized, Volunteer
Tags: Awareness, baseball, diagnosis, home run, survivor, women

2011 Refunds for Research Awardees Announced

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:01 am | 0 comments.

Through the generosity of Pennsylvania taxpayers, the PBCC’s Refunds for Breast Cancer Research program awarded grants to three PA based cancer researchers to further their study. Melanie Flint, Ph.D., Steffi Oesterreich, Ph.D., and Azadeh Stark, Ph.D. each received $50,000 to continue their respective research endeavors to unlock more of the mysteries of breast cancer.

Dr. Flint and Dr. Oesterreich are both researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Dr. Stark is employed by the Center for Health Service Research at Geisinger Medical Center. This is the first PBCC Refunds for Research grant award for all of the three recipients.

Many thanks to each Pennsylvania taxpayer who has contributed all or part of his or her state income tax refund to support the Refunds for Research program to help bring us closer to our goal of finding a cure for breast cancer now…so our daughters won’t have to.

Posted in: Pink Link, Programs, Refunds for Breast Cancer Research, Uncategorized
Tags: doctors, Geisinger, News, Pittsburgh, research, taxes

President’s Corner: 3-D Breast Scans Aid in Early Detection, Lessening False Positives

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:00 am | 0 comments.

Recently approved by the FDA, 3-D breast scan systems provide radiologists with a clearer, spatially accurate representation of breast tissue to accompany the image provided by a mammogram. The 3-D reconstruction will make it easier to detect and identify possible malignancies in the breast tissue that may not have been visible prior to the 3-D technology.

The 3-D scan will provide radiologists with the ability to better analyze tumors found in the breast and help reduce the likelihood of false positives. A recent Philadelphia Inquirer article on the topic provided insights by radiologists familiar with the 3-D breast scan technology, formally called “tomosynthesis”. They showed that the 3-D breast scan will allow them to see any tumors more clearly than mammography alone. However, it is important to note that at this stage, the 3-D scan would not be a replacement for the traditional 2-D mammogram; rather, it would be used in conjunction with a traditional mammogram to provide a clearer picture of the inside of the breast. It is also important to remember that the 3-D scan provides a higher dose of radiation than do currently used mammograms, and the long-term effects of it on the breast are unknown.  Any woman considering this procedure should review it with her physician.

Information on cutting-edge breast cancer news and research will be available at the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Conference on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 in Harrisburg. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Register today to join us for this inspirational and educational gathering of breast cancer advocates and survivors.

Posted in: Annual Conference, Medical, News, Pink Link
Tags: Awareness, conference, research, survivor, women

FrontLine, PBCC’s Print Newsletter: Spring 2011 Edition Online

Posted By on March 30th, 2011 at 3:54 pm | 2 comments.

The Spring 2011 edition of the PBCC’s print newsletter, FrontLine, is now available online! Thanks to Issuu, this newsletter is available to everyone though various websites including Facebook and PABreastCancer.org. Over the next few editions, we will be working to increase online content for FrontLine including videos, photos, and more!

Currently, FrontLine is mailed out to over 57,000 households and businesses across the state quarterly. If you receive FrontLine in the mail and wish to instead receive correspondence from the PBCC electronically, email us! We’ll be happy to make the change.

Enjoy the Spring 2011 edition!

Posted in: Events, Grassroots Partners, Home Run Derby, Medical, News, Partnerships & Promotions, Patient Advocacy, Patient Resources, Pink Ribbon, Programs, Refunds for Breast Cancer Research
Tags: Awareness, daughters, diagnosis, free, home run, News, Partnership, register, research, resources, survivor, women

PA Breast Cancer Coalition Awards Two Research Grants Through the Income Tax Refund Campaign

Posted By on March 22nd, 2011 at 11:31 am | 6 comments.

2011 Refunds for Research Check Presentation at the Hillman Cancer CenterPITTSBURGH, Pa. – The PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) has launched its annual Refunds for Research campaign to fund Pennsylvania cancer researchers. By simply checking YES on line 35 of the PA-40 tax form, any taxpayer can donate all or part of their state income tax refund to breast and cervical cancer research. Every penny contributed goes directly to PA breast and cervical cancer researchers as they work for a cure. By donating, the taxpayer will join the thousands of Pennsylvania tax filers who have contributed over $2.7 million for PA-based cancer research.

Through this program, the PA Breast Cancer Coalition is pleased to announce two recipients of research grants for 2011. Melanie Flint, Ph.D. and Steffi Oesterreich, Ph.D., both of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) and members of the Magee-Womens Research Institute, have been awarded $50,000 grants to assist in their research process.

“Thousands of donations of every size made by Pennsylvania residents make the Refunds for Research grants possible. The generosity of the people of this state for the program has been overwhelming,” said Pat Halpin-Murphy, President and Founder of the PBCC. “This simple and effective program, and the support of so many, reinforces our commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer now…so our daughters won’t have to.”

The PBCC worked with the state legislature to enact the Income Tax Check-Off for Breast & Cervical Cancer Research which is currently the most popular refund donation option in Pennsylvania. The funds raised through this initiative support the outstanding breast and cervical cancer researchers in our own backyard.

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition 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 nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure now…so our daughters won’t have to. For more information, please call 800-377-8828 or visit www.PABreastCancer.org.

Posted in: Press Release, Programs, Refunds for Breast Cancer Research
Tags: Awareness, doctor, doctors, Media, News, organizations, Pittsburgh, research, women

Has Your Daughter Been Diagnosed with Breast Cancer?

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:57 am | 0 comments.

A breast cancer diagnosis is stressful not only for the patient but for everyone who cares about her. Mothers of daughters with breast cancer face the challenge of wanting to protect their child while having no control over what is happening. This is also a time when the daughter needs emotional support from her mother.

In 1995,  Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer (MSDBC) emerged from one mother’s experience. Charmayne Dierker and her daughter Lillie Shockney founded MSDBC, which provides free services for mothers who have daughters battling breast cancer.

Click here to order a free booklet or to be matched with a mother volunteer whose daughter is close in age to your daughter and has had the same type of breast cancer and same treatment. Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, M.A.S. has presented her widely popular Humor and Healing workshop at five PBCC annual conferences. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 at the age of 38.

Posted in: Annual Conference, Patient Advocacy, Patient Resources, Pink Link
Tags: daughters, diagnosis, free, mother, resources, survivor, women

Lady Lions Roar Against Breast Cancer: Featured Grassroots Partner

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:56 am | 0 comments.

The Penn State Lady Lions roared past Northwestern in front of a crowd of nearly 12,000 at the 2011 WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State game! Check out the video below to see a recap from this exciting day. This incredible event honored the 352 breast cancer survivors in attendance with an inspirational halftime celebration on the court and a reception following the game.

Proceeds from the game and the online auction are still being tallied, but will be shared among a number of breast cancer organizations including the PBCC. Our thanks to the Lady Lions and Penn State for such a tremendously powerful event!

Posted in: Donation, Events, Grassroots Partners, Pink Link
Tags: Awareness, basketball, daughters, diagnosis, Penn State, State College, survivor, women

Spring Training Has Begun! Who is Ready to Step Up to the Plate?

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:55 am | 0 comments.

Spring training is in full swing – for the Phillies, Pirates, and the PBCC! We’re happy to bring the Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer Home Run Derby to ballparks throughout the state once again. Be a part of our lineup with a special ‘Buy One, Get One’ free promotion for those registering a team before March 31!

We are looking for those who want to step up to the plate – literally – and take a few swings as a batter. We are looking for sponsors to lend their support and their dollars to the ongoing fight against breast cancer in this unique event. We are looking for volunteers to give their time and talent to make sure each day runs smoothly. Of course, we also need fans to cheer on our batters! With so many ways to take part, and eleven stadiums across PA participating, we hope you’ll make time to support the Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer Home Run Derby at a location near you!

Posted in: Events, Home Run Derby, Pink Link, Volunteer
Tags: baseball, batter, home run, men, swing, team, teams, Volunteer, women

Survivor Spotlight: Dr. Marybeth Miller

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:54 am | 4 comments.

Dr. Marybeth Miller has a demanding job, teaching physical education to teachers-in-training at Slippery Rock University. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, she was determined to get back to work teaching physical education to future educators as soon as possible. An avid cycler, she knew that being in good physical shape would enhance her recovery. So she approached the preparation for her treatment regimen like an athlete in training for a competition, creating her own wellness campaign she calls Cycling for Surgery.

Dr. Miller shared her story at the recent PBCC exhibit opening at Slippery Rock University, saying “If my experience can play a part in modeling courage and perseverance, then let me lead.” She is grateful to the faculty who supported her, the students who shared their compassion, and the family who were there for her when she needed them.  Her advice: make your best decision, go with it, and then move forward with a positive attitude.

Click here to read survivor stories from previous issues of Pink Link and our quarterly print newsletter, FrontLine.

Posted in: Pink Link, Survivor Spotlight
Tags: Awareness, diagnosis, Slippery Rock, survivor, women