The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Donate Now WINTER 2010

Letter from our President


It is a bittersweet moment in breast cancer research funding. We have come so far with the science and the improved survival and quality of life for women. But we are not finished. The so-called "triple negative" breast cancers continue to vex scientists and cut short women's lives. Metastasis is proving more complicated to control than we expected, even in the light of some exciting breakthroughs.

There are a lot of hurdles to overcome, including several years of declining government support of breast cancer research, the lack of incentives for researchers to enter the field and have the means to pursue important questions from a young age, and even a looming shortage of oncologists. And we hear every day about the continued economic downturn. We have all heard the sad news about endowments being reduced, and the fact that a number of charities unwittingly placed their funds in the hands of untoward investors.

We have neither of these problems at The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Fortunately, we have not made any bad investments; only good ones. We spend all the money we raise each year on research and administering that research. We have complete transparency about where our money goes. We believe this is the most credible way to operate because it brings us to cures and prevention faster. Of course, we are watching this year's developments like everyone else, especially because we must create our revenues anew from year to year. Even for a stable, well-established foundation with an impeccable reputation of achievement, this year is unlike anything we have experienced before. While it is encouraging that throughout the worst economic news of last fall and into the new year we have steadily raised money, we are still in need of NEW gifts from generous supporters to help us sustain our current level of grant support.

Evelyn Lauder and the scientific advisors of BCRF have created the greatest brain trust in breast cancer research ever assembled; we will do everything in our power to keep it going strong. We will continue to give our scientists the freedom to pursue answers to the most important questions about breast cancer. We are 100 percent committed to this and we hope you are too.

Remember, we need your help now more than ever. Much is at stake. With a gift to BCRF you can be sure that your contribution is truly leveraging lifesaving research.

Sincerely,



Myra J. Biblowit