Nathaniel and I thank you!
My Friends,
Each year I raise money for Living Beyond Breast Cancer, where I have worked for 18 years. Typically, I dedicate my fundraising to a group or individual. But 2020 is not a typical year, for any of us. COVID-19 has changed the rules of the game. We're all stretched and challenged in new ways.
Like most nonprofits, Living Beyond Breast Cancer has had to shift what we do. What our community needed yesterday is not what it needs today. Now, at this moment, they told us they need three things, and we've transformed everything we do to deliver:
- Financial support: Breast cancer is expensive. Now COVID-19 has people out of work, and losing health insurance. We're ramping up our grant program so we can award twice as many cash grants to help people eat, pay rent or mortgage, and keep on the lights.
- Trusted information: Within days of the shutdown, my inspiring colleagues developed videos, podcasts, and web pages that speak specifically to the experience of living with cancer during COVID-19. We're updating these every day.
- Connection: Within 2 weeks our amazing team expanded our closed Facebook groups, prepared our Helpline volunteers for a surge in callers, and reorganized our Conference on Metastatic Breast Cancer as a virtual event so our community can come together.
Please remember: despite COVID-19 restrictions, people are still being diagnosed with breast cancer and are still facing treatment for metastatic breast cancer. We are witness to the terror of the immune compromised who still need to leave their homes for treatment. And the newly diagnosed getting a delayed treatment plan, and who aren't sure what it means for their survival. I am SO GRATEFUL to be in the position where I can get these people answers that support and comfort them.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer needs your support now more than ever. This year, your donation to my Reach and Raise fundraiser will support these key programs and provide vital funding to allow me and my colleagues to respond quickly and accurately to the needs of our community.
I recognize many may not be in the position to give, but if you are, please give what you can -- what you'd normally spend on your daily coffee, for a dinner out, or for parking could make all the difference in helping LBBC deliver on our promises to the community.
I thank you for your support, and I wish you the best of health and safety today and every day.
With love,
Janine