The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is an independent,

not-for-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

which has raised $569.4 million to support clinical and translational research on

breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or ...

at medical institutions in the United States and abroad. BCRF currently funds over 275 researchers in 15 countries. The BCRF's director of research is Dr. Larry Norton of

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK or MSKCC) is a cancer treatment and research institution in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital. MSKCC is one of 52 National Cancer Institute� ...

. BCRF has funded basic research on genetic susceptibility to breast cancer, breast cancer stem cells,

trastuzumab Trastuzumab, sold under the brand name Herceptin among others, is a monoclonal antibody used to treat breast cancer and stomach cancer. It is specifically used for cancer that is HER2 receptor positive. It may be used by itself or together wi ...

(Herceptin), anti-angiogenesis treatment with

bevacizumab Bevacizumab, sold under the brand name Avastin among others, is a medication used to treat a number of types of cancers and a specific eye disease. For cancer, it is given by slow injection into a vein ( intravenous) and used for colon cancer, ...

(Avastin), MRI imaging,

aromatase inhibitors Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and in men, and gynecomastia in men. They may also be used off-label to reduce estrogen conversion when supplementing testosterone e ...

tamoxifen Tamoxifen, sold under the brand name Nolvadex among others, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to prevent breast cancer in women and treat breast cancer in women and men. It is also being studied for other types of cancer. It has b ...

; and also clinical trials of new treatments with the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium. BCRF was founded in 1993 by

Evelyn Lauder Evelyn Lauder (née Hausner; August 12, 1936 – November 12, 2011) was an Austrian American businesswoman, socialite and philanthropist who has been credited as one of the creators and popularizers of the pink ribbon as a symbol for awareness of ...

, Senior Corporate Vice President of The Estee Lauder Companies. Lauder's first foray into

breast cancer awareness Breast cancer awareness is an effort to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment. Supporters hope that greater knowledge will lead to earlier detection of breast cancer, which is assoc ...

was through an initiative by herself and

Alexandra Penney Alexandra Penney is an American artist, journalist and author. Biography Penney was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Greek-American parents. Upon graduation from Smith College with a BA in Philosophy and MA in Studio Art and Criticism, Penney ...

, former editor of ''SELF'' magazine, to make the

pink ribbon The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness. Pink ribbons, and the color pink in general, identify the wearer or promoter with the breast cancer brand and express moral support for women with breast cancer. Pink ri ...

an international symbol of breast cancer awareness.

Funding and spending

As of 2014, BCRF directs more than 91 cents of every dollar raised to breast cancer research and

programs. BCRF has received exceptional recognition from several organizations that monitor and provide comprehensive, unbiased information on charities.

CharityWatch CharityWatch, formerly known as the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Chicago, created in the United States by Daniel Borochoff in 1992, to provide information about charities' financial efficien ...

, formerly the American Institute of Philanthropy, rated BCRF with an A grade in their November 2021 report.

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Breast Cancer Research Foundation Breast cancer organizations Cancer charities in the United States Organizations established in 1993 Organizations based in New York City Charities based in New York City