For this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on National Breast Cancer Foundation!
National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is at the forefront of ensuring every woman has access to the breast health education and care that she needs.
We’re grateful to NBCF for writing this post for us, and for lending their voice and story to our blog!
National Breast Cancer Foundation: Nonprofit Spotlight
What is National Breast Cancer Foundation?
The mission of National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is to help women now by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education, and support services. It is the goal of NBCF programs to serve uninsured or underinsured women in need an increase the survival rate of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Supporting frontline healthcare workers and those directly affected by breast cancer helps NBCF ensure that its programs continue to provide critical resources to women across the country.
Who founded NBCF?
NBCF was founded in 1991 by breast cancer survivor, Janelle Hail. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1980 at the age of 34. At the time of her diagnosis, there was little information about the disease, and she was forced to make decisions about her health with few options. After her treatment, Janelle made a commitment to help women around the world by educating them about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. NBCF helps empower women with the information and resources to take charge of their breast health.
What does the National Breast Cancer Foundation do?
What does NBCF do?
Education & Outreach
NBCF provides critical information to women and families about how they can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, find breast cancer early, access screening programs, and eliminate barriers to quality treatment if later diagnosed. Women are empowered to advocate for their own breast health.
Screening & Diagnostics
NBCF works with hospitals and breast centers in communities across the country to help remove barriers to critical screenings and help women detect their breast cancer in its earliest stages when it is more treatable. Through this network we provide grants for free breast screening and diagnostic services for those in need. These facilities ensure access to treatment for patients who are diagnosed.
Patient Navigation
NBCF is working to remove the barriers in the complex cancer care system, such as cost, fear, and misinformation that prevent patients from getting the care they need in a timely fashion. Good, timely care and support can increase the quality of life and likelihood of survival by keeping women on track with their treatment and follow-up appointments. NBCF provides grant funds to help support salaries for patient navigators to provide services such as education and outreach in the community; guidance through screening and diagnostic exams; support through treatment and survivorship; assistance with financial, administrative, and emotional issues.
Support Services
NBCF provides critical support for patients at every step – whether they’re newly diagnosed, facing a terminal diagnosis, or facing breast cancer alone. Our goal is to ensure every patient and survivor has access to emotional support, guidance, and resources throughout their journey. These services include:
HOPE Kits: A care package filled with thoughtful items, which patients have found to be comforting and encouraging while undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Support Groups: Monthly support groups lead by a trained facilitator to encourage healthy dialogue and education for everyone involved.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Retreats: Retreats held around the country for metastatic breast cancer patients and their caregivers focusing on renewed hope, increased knowledge, and the reminder that they are not alone.
How will this make a difference?
Research shows that breast health education and early detection through screening can help save lives. By providing these resources, along with patient navigation and support services, we can help remove the financial and emotional barriers to access that many women are facing and navigate them through the complex cancer care system to get timely diagnosis and access to care.
How are you different from other similar charities?
NBCF is focused on Helping Women Now. Our goal is to be a compassionate go-to resource that provides women with help and hope at every step of the breast cancer journey so that no one faces breast cancer alone.
What have you accomplished?
To date, NBCF has helped provide an estimated 305,000 screening and diagnostic breast care services and over 1.7 million patient navigation services to women in need.
How can I be sure you use money wisely?
NBCF maintains the highest standard of fiscal stewardship and, on average, over 80% of spending is directed back into programs. Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator, has given NBCF its highest 4-star rating for our commitment to established financial, accountability, and transparency standards. Additionally, NBCF strictly adheres to IRS regulations as well as policies and procedures set by our Board of Directors, and conducts annual audits by an independent accounting and audit firm.
What is Giving Assistant?
Giving Assistant helps online shoppers turn their everyday shopping into charitable giving.
Members get exclusive coupons and savings at thousands of online stores, plus earn cash back they can donate easily to any nonprofit organization in the U.S.
Nonprofits who partner with Giving Assistant can more easily reach their fundraising goals by receiving these shopper donations.
Our browser extension makes giving easy. Simply download the button, shop, save, and automate your cash back donations.