News and Information

Centerpoint Winter 2009 (PDF)

Breast Cancer Alliance Continues to Fund New Research Opportunities at Yale

In 1996, Mary Waterman, a Greenwich, Connecticut resident who was battling breast cancer, founded the Breast Cancer Alliance (BCA), an organization devoted to supporting breast cancer research, early detection, and education.  Although Ms. Waterman succumbed to the disease less than a year later, the BCA has become the fourth-largest non-profit, private funding provider for breast cancer research, education, and outreach programs in the United States.  The BCA provides funding to high-impact, innovative, breast cancer research and early detection initiatives at institutions spanning from Boston to Washington, D.C. To date the Alliance has raised and awarded over $12.4 million to support scientists and medical professionals in their fight against breast cancer.

The Breast Cancer Alliance provided over 25% of their total funding to support research at Yale Cancer Center and Yale School of Medicine over the last decade. Most recently, the BCA agreed to fund projects for Michael DiGiovanna, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, and Zhiwei Hu, PhD, a research scientist in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, awarding $100,000 to each.  This is Dr. DiGiovanna’s second round of funding from the group.

“The money that the Breast Cancer Alliance has provided for breast cancer research at Yale over the years is immeasurable.  It has enabled us to embark on some very important research projects, and it is amazing to think what continued generous funding from the BCA will do for breast cancer research in the future,” Dr. DiGiovanna commented.   

The BCA has also agreed to renew the Norma Lies Mitchell Breast Surgery Fellowship Grant at Yale for 2009-10, with $75,000 to continue the fellowship for a second year.  This provides an opportunity for a selected surgeon to pursue an extra year of specialized studies in breast surgery following the completion of their surgical residency.  This level of specialized medical education is not typically available to surgical residents.

The primary fundraiser for the BCA is an annual luncheon and fashion show that is co-sponsored by Richards of Greenwich, Mitchells of Westport, and is a charitable event attended by over 800 contributors.   Contributions also come from individual and corporate donors, and from various other community fundraising activities.  The BCA distributes funding, with the guidance of their Medical Advisory Board and outside experts, through a stringent grant application process, and accepts annual applications from individuals for Young Investigator, Exceptional Project, Breast Surgery Fellow, and Education and Outreach awards.  

In the 13 years since its founding, the Breast Cancer Alliance has been dedicated to funding community, education, and breast cancer research initiatives.  The recent funding awarded to Yale Cancer Center continues this tradition, and the Breast Cancer Alliance remains a vital fixture at Yale, supporting new and innovative breast cancer research, and ultimately, taking one step closer to a cure. 

If you would like more information about the Breast Cancer Alliance, please visit http://www.breastcanceralliance.org/