MINNESOTA BREAST CANCER COALITION
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : c*********n@m*n.c*m
Mission Statement
The Minnesota Breast Cancer Coalition is a totally volunteer, grassroots organization dedicated to our mission of ending breast cancer by advocating for increased peer-reviewed research funding and access for all to evidence-based screening and treatment. We have no fundraising or administrative expenses. All donations directly support our educational and advocacy work.
About This Cause
Formed in 1991, the Minnesota Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) works to educate Minnesotans about all aspects of breast cancer. This includes information about breast cancer risk factors and ways to lower one's risk of breast cancer as well as information about evidence-based screening and treatment. The MBCC is made up entirely of volunteers who commit their time, energy, and skills to ending breast cancer. In December 2022 we established the Minnesota Breast Cancer Coalition Patient Assistance Fund. This Fund helps breast cancer patients with non-medical needs such as rent/mortgage; utilities; childcare; transportation/parking; and food/gasoline gift cards. The Fund currently helps breast cancer patients being treated at any M Health Fairview Hospital or Clinic in Minnesota. Social workers and patient assistance workers with M Health Fairview identify breast cancer patients in need of assistance. The lead social worker makes the final disbursement decisions. We plan to expand this help to additional healthcare systems in Minnesota. From January 1, 2024 through July 31, 2024 the Fund disbursed $10,943.47 to help with non-medical needs. We also educate about breast cancer by providing speakers for conferences, events, employee "brown bag sessions," health fairs, and support groups. In addition to educating groups, we also educate and support individuals who contact us for information about their own diagnosis and treatment. Our website also contains links to various national and local organizations that provide reliable, quality information about breast cancer and helpful information about financial assistance. Our website blog informs people about the work of other local and national groups and makes people aware of upcoming events, conferences, and webinars. Our advocacy work focuses on obtaining increased funding for peer-reviewed breast cancer research and access to evidence-based treatment for all. We work in conjunction with the National Breast Cancer Coalition to advocate for yearly funding for breast cancer research through the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. From 1996-2000 members of the MBCC joined with thousands of advocates from across the country to obtain coverage for breast cancer treatment for women who had been screened for breast cancer through the federal Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening Program. In 2000, this treatment coverage became law. Each state needed to opt in to the coverage. In Minnesota, the MBCC, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, spearheaded legislation in the 2001 Minnesota legislature to provide treatment coverage for Minnesota women who were diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. This became law in Minnesota in 2002. Since then, uninsured and underinsured women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the federal screening program have been covered by Medicaid for the duration of their cancer treatment. In addition to advocating with the National Breast Cancer Coalition, the MBCC also works closely with Susan G. Komen Minnesota, the MN Department of Health, and the American Cancer Society on breast cancer issues in Minnesota. One of MBCC's core beliefs is the value of collaboration. We encourage researchers to collaborate and work together to end breast cancer. We help to educate Minnesota advocates about research so the advocates can then collaborate with the researchers and provide valuable advocate perspective during the research. We facilitate cooperation among various Minnesota organizations connected with breast cancer. It will take all of us working together to end breast cancer.