National Breast Cancer Coalition

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The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) is a grassroots membership organization, comprising hundreds of member organizations and tens of thousands of individuals dedicated to ending breast cancer through action and advocacy. Along with its research and education arm the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund (NBCCF), the Coalition's main goals are to increase federal funding for breast cancer research; improve access to high-quality health care and breast cancer clinical trials for all women; and expand the influence of breast cancer advocates.

NBCC and NBCCF were founded by a group of breast cancer survivors, including current NBBC/F President Fran Visco. They are currently managed by a board of directors and executive committee.

1 Lobbying and policy
2 Research
3 Advocacy
- 3.1 Annual advocacy training conference
4 Resources and education
- 4.1 Project LEAD
5 Funding
6 External links

[edit] Lobbying and policy

The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) focuses its public policy advocacy on legislative priorities that include increasing funding for breast cancer research; providing access to high quality health care and clinical trials; and expanding the influence of breast cancer advocates in all aspects of the breast cancer decision-making process.

Its public policy accomplishments include:

Increased annual federal funding for breast cancer research more than 800 percent - from less than $90 million before the Coalition began in 1991 to more than $800 million in 2003.^{[citation needed]}
Brought about the development of the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (DOD BCRP), an unprecedented multi-million dollar breast cancer research project within the Department of Defense that has attracted more than 26,500 research proposals.^{[citation needed]} Since its inception in 1992, total federal funding for this program has reached more than $1.9 billion. Through the DOD BCRP, NBCC worked vigorously to ensure consumer activist participation at the peer-review research table.^{[citation needed]}
In response to NBCC's 2.6-million signature campaign in 1993, President Clinton met NBCC's demands and committed to a National Action Plan on Breast Cancer, an innovative collaboration of government, science, private industry and consumers.^{[citation needed]}
Played a pivotal role in the enactment of the 2000 Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act. This law offers enhanced matching funds to states to provide Medicaid coverage for treatment of breast and cervical cancer to low-income women screened and diagnosed through a federal program-expanding access to care for thousands of underserved women.^{[citation needed]}

As a nonpartisan organization, NBCC has worked with and formed relationships with politicians and officials from across the political spectrum, including former President Clinton, former Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and others.^{[citation needed]}

NBCC also holds an annual Lobby Day each year where hundreds of women and men from across the country visit Capitol Hill en masse to speak with their representatives about breast cancer and NBCC’s legislative priorities, including federal funding for breast cancer research. During the 2006 annual Lobby Day, NBCC advocates held more than 400 meetings with members of Congress and their staffs.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Research

NBCCF frequently collaborates with the scientific community to develop new research models, conduct research, design protocols, set research priorities and implement clinical trials.^{[citation needed]} One such trial led to the FDA approval of the breakthrough drug Herceptin.^{[citation needed]}

NBCCF’s research initiatives also study the relationship between breast cancer and environmental factors.

[edit] Advocacy

NBCCF offers an array of education and training programs designed to give advocates the information, tools and skills they need to be effective breast cancer activists.

[edit] Annual advocacy training conference

Held in late April, the Annual Advocacy Training Conference brings together hundreds of breast cancer advocates and survivors for workshops, training sessions and plenaries on the latest in breast cancer science, research and policy.

[edit] Resources and education

NBCC develops and makes available free resources for the public. These include its “Beyond the Headlines” program which provides evidence-based and patient-centered information in the form of analyses papers, fact sheets and position papers; its How to Get Good Care for Breast Cancer booklet; and its Guide to Quality Breast Cancer Care. NBCC also runs information hotlines to keep the public informed.

[edit] Project LEAD

Project LEAD (Leadership, Education and Advocacy Development), created in 1996, is NBCCF’s flagship program for training breast cancer advocates in the science of breast cancer so they can better critically analyze breast cancer research and influence research committees and other breast cancer decision-making bodies. Project LEAD has trained advocates in the language and concepts of cancer biology and basic epidemiology.

[edit] Funding

The NBCCF is supported through foundation grants, contributions from individuals, corporate sponsorships and special events. The organization received an excellent rating from charity watchdog American Institute of Philanthropy for low fundraising costs and high percentage of resources allocated to program services.

The National Breast Coalition Fund encourages individual advocates and businesses across the country to organize fundraising events such as walk-a-thons, cocktail parties, fashion shows, and bowling parties. In addition, NBCCF has four major fundraising events throughout the year: