Information and Education

We sponsored an information booth at the US Women’s Open Golf Championship in 1996, an event that raised $204,000 for the fight against breast cancer in North Carolina.

We provide educational support at many health fairs and conferences around the state.

A number of our members teach breast self-exam and clinical breast exam skills to BCCCP (Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program) nurses and health educators and are available to educate other interested groups. (BCCCP is a statewide program which provides free breast and cervical cancer screening to income-eligible women over 50).

We are involved with NC-SALIC’s (Southern Appalachia Leadership Initiative on Cancer) annual "Beyond Breast Cancer Celebration." Several BCCNC members have been guest speakers and Beth Walker serves on the planning committee.

We are involved with the annual Body and Soul Symposium in Chapel Hill, NC (sponsored by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center). BCCNC member Catherine Andrews has been a presenter and has served on the planning committee.

Through grants from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Coalition is working with the Carolina Breast Cancer Study at the University of North Carolina to produce North Carolina’s FIRST comprehensive, statewide resource directory for breast cancer patients and survivors. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Jamie A. Konarski, Resource Directory Coordinator at 252-758-1161 (w), 252-758-4567 (h) or via e-mail at msjamie@greenvillenc.com.

Health Care Advocacy

We are involved in patient advocacy programs which link healthcare professionals, researchers and patients to provide better care for women with breast cancer.

We are involved with the North Carolina Cancer Control Plan and are working to address cancer-related topics.

Promotion of Breast Cancer Fundraiser Events

We actively support the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" in Charlotte and Raleigh.

Wellness

Since 1996, we have conducted an annual "Workshop on Wellness" which offers sessions relating to breast cancer and women’s health. It gives breast cancer survivors a chance to come together to share experiences, to learn about new developments in breast cancer research and treatment, to explore new ways to promote health and healing of the mind, body and spirit and to celebrate life after breast cancer.  Stay tuned to the Calendar of Events page for details about this year's event.

Newsletter

We produce and distribute a quarterly newsletter, "Staying Abreast", which provides news about what the Coalition and other breast cancer groups are doing and contains articles related to breast cancer and tips for staying healthy.  To receive the newsletter, contact Catherine Andrews (Newsletter Editor) at 919-563-9818 or catchat@netpath.net.

Legislative Advocacy

We attend the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Annual Advocacy Training Conference and MARCH ON WASHINGTON to lobby for breast cancer legislation and funding.

BCCNC member Emma Lou Bullard serves as North Carolina's representative for the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) and sends legislative alerts regarding pending legislation important to all women on breast cancer and healthcare issues.  To get on this Alert List, contact Emma Lou at 252-243-4098 or emmaloub@mindspring.com.

Speakers

Coalition members across the state attend support groups, conferences, other meetings and special events to speak on breast cancer issues, including the importance of breast self-exams, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, coping with breast cancer treatments, life after breast cancer and advocacy.  To schedule a Breast Cancer Coalition of NC guest speaker or information booth for your event, see the Contact Us page.

Research

BCCNC members have served as reviewers for grants funded by the California Breast Cancer Research Program and the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs in breast cancer. In this capacity, advocates review breast cancer research proposals with expert scientists to decide which proposals merit funding. The advocates’ intimate experience with breast cancer and their commitment to sound research helps them identify important and often overlooked issues.

Patient Advocates in Research (PAIR)--A nationwide program that brings the patient perspective into medical research.  In North Carolina, PAIR has begun working with breast cancer researchers at the Duke and UNC Comprehensive Cancer Centers and with policy groups in the state.  Advocates have:

• worked with researchers on quality of life after breast cancer; causes of breast cancer; genetic testing decision making; breast cancer screening; and high risk cancer families projects.
• participated in research program planning discussions
• critiqued research presentations
• participated in a North Carolina managed care conference
• initiated a plan in North Carolina to increase education/awareness about lymphedema

If you are interested in helping achieve the goal of transforming research into better results for people, contact North Carolina PAIR Coordinator Barbara Parker for more information:  (919) 782-1099 or brpbrca@aol.com.

International

Sara Williams, Vice President of BCCNC, attended the Second World Conference on "Breast Cancer Advocacy—Influencing Change" from March 11 to 14, 1999, in Brussels, Belgium. It was sponsored by the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund and 250 breast cancer advocates from 45 countries participated. The conference combined lectures and workshops about breast cancer advocacy efforts around the world and facilitated beginner and advanced advocacy training.