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

not-for-profit organization A not-for-profit or non-for-profit organization (NFPO) is a Legal Entity, legal entity that does not distribute surplus funds to its members and is formed to fulfill specific objectives. While not-for-profit organizations and Nonprofit organ ...

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

breast cancer Breast cancer is a cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a Breast lump, lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, Milk-rejection sign, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipp ...

at medical institutions in the United States and abroad. BCRF currently funds over 255 researchers in 14 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 oncology, cancer treatment and research institution in Manhattan in New York City. MSKCC is one of 72 National Cancer Institute–NCI-designated Cancer Center, designated Comprehen ...

. 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 ...

(Herceptin), anti-angiogenesis treatment with

bevacizumab Bevacizumab, sold under the brand name Avastin among others, is a monoclonal antibody 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 use ...

(Avastin), MRI imaging,

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

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

; and also clinical trials of new treatments with the Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium. BCRF was founded in 1993 by Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of The Estee Lauder Companies. Lauder's first foray into

breast cancer awareness Breast cancer awareness is an effort to raising awareness, raise awareness and reduce the Social stigma, stigma of breast cancer through education about Breast cancer screening, screening, Cancer signs and symptoms, symptoms, and Breast cancer ...

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. She graduated from Smith College with a BA in Philosophy. As a single mother, she entered the field of ...

, 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 people with breast cancer. Pink rib ...

an international symbol of breast cancer awareness.

Funding and spending

In 2014, the BCRF claimed to direct more than 91 cents of every dollar raised to breast cancer research and

programs. The organization has been recognized by several charity watchdog organizations, including Candid,

Charity Navigator Charity Navigator is a charity assessment organization that evaluates more than 230,000 charitable organizations based in the United States, operating as a 501(c)(3) organization. It provides insights into a nonprofit's financial stability, adh ...

, and

CharityWatch CharityWatch, known until 2012 as the American Institute of Philanthropy, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Chicago, Illinois, created in the United States by Daniel Borochoff in 1992, to provide information about charities' financial effi ...

. CharityWatch rated BCRF with an A grade in their November 2021 report.

References

External links

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