Why another breast cancer charity?
The Breast Cancer Charities of America (BCCA) is the only non-profit bringing the “integrated cancer care” message to the women of America. We bring together the different health care and allied health care disciplines—oncology, nursing, psychology, sociology, nutrition, exercise physiology, spirituality and more. Working together, these professions comprise the new discipline of “integrated cancer care.” Integrated cancer care is long overdue in this nation. Today it holds the one best promise for preventing, treating and surviving breast cancer. It saves lives!
What exactly is “integrated cancer care?”
Integrated cancer care brings the “whole person”—body, mind and spirit—to the cancer prevention, treatment and recovery effort. Traditional cancer care stops with surgery and chemotherapy. Integrated cancer care adds to orthodox care the important elements of nutrition, exercise, mind/body, social support and even a search for greater meaning. When the whole person gets well, the body will often follow.
Does integrated care replace medicine?
No. Integrated cancer care is employed in addition to, not in place of, orthodox medicine. Many of the leading edge scientific studies show techniques like diet, exercise, and social support can be as powerful as drugs and surgery. BCCA exists to deliver this message to women with breast cancer and to educate healthcare providers with this news. The result: we will change medicine and we will save lives.
I’ve never heard of The Breast Cancer Charities of America.
It is an organization that brings together progressive breast cancer authorities from a variety of healthcare and allied professions, experts with literally hundreds of years of combined experience. BCCA is an agent for change. The group is dedicated to ending breast cancer as a life-threatening illness.
How will the funds be used?
Financial support will be used to conduct research on the link between breast cancer and nutrition. Funding will also be employed to educate the public and health care professionals on integrated cancer care. Another portion of gifts will be dedicated to the “Help Now Fund,” which provides food, clothing, shelter, transportation, mammograms and more to women who are uninsured or in need.
The Breast Cancer Charities of America. Changing breast cancer! Join the movement!
Erica A. Tullis, Executive Director
When Erica’s father was given a ’30 days to live’ cancer diagnosis nearly 25 years ago, finding the connection between health, wellness and cancer became a core mission. After seeing her father overcome the odds and live a healthy, cancer-free lifestyle today, Erica’s mission remains to help all people understand the importance of integrated wellness–especially women, as breast cancer can be linked in many ways to diet, exercise and nutrition.
“Being able to help women really understand that breast cancer is treatable, preventable and curable through non-invasive means is my goal. There’s hope and options beyond surgery–there aren’t enough people that understand non-invasive options exist. At BCCA, we are leading the way to integrated health and wellness in finding the cure to breast cancer.”
Erica is an advocate for non-invasive breast cancer research and focuses on putting the patient first. “Too many times people get caught up with funding only research that they forget there are people who need help today, right now—that’s why our Help Now Fund and non-invasive research funding puts that focus back on the patient.”
Erica enjoys photography, working out, singing, cooking and spending time with her family.
Marilyn Kinyo, Director of Partnership Development
Marilyn Kinyo has had several family members as well as close friends that have been stricken with breast cancer or other forms of cancer. Her mother was diagnosed 20 years ago with breast cancer and is still here today because of a strong will to live and a healthy lifestyle. Her father on the other hand wasn’t so lucky and passed away from colon cancer almost four years ago.
With that said she has a passion for not only finding a cure, but to also help those that are going through their treatment. She wants to make sure all patients have the tools that they need to overcome the odds and live a long healthy life cancer free. On a day to day basis you hear a great deal from the American Heart Association about healthy eating and exercise to prevent heart attacks and strokes, but not enough from cancer organization on prevention and healthy lifestyles while undergoing treatment.
Marilyn is a wife and mother to two boys. She enjoys working out, snow and water skiing and watching her sons play sports.
Alex Aznar, Special Events and Marketing Manager
Working in field where every day you are helping making a difference in the lives of others is something that has always been important to Alex. She did not realize that in doing this that she would be impacted by the wonderful people that she interacts with on a daily basis. Working with such inspirational individuals makes her passion for helping patients and their families that much stronger.
The Help Now Fund is something very dear to Alex’s heart. “Having to decide between getting medical treatment or keeping a roof over their head is such heart-breaking thing to hear from a patient in need. The Help Now Fund is giving these women one less thing to worry about, and giving them more time to focus on the main goal of getting well.”
Alex enjoys movies, outdoor activities, baking, and sports.
Kayla Rivera, Executive Assistant
Kayla learned about cancer, and developed compassion for those diagnosed, at an early age while being by her grandmother’s side through treatment of colon cancer. Kayla saw the emotional up’s and down’s that her grandmother went though, but the memory remains how her grandmother’s positive spirit and strength always shined through. In addition to her grandmother, Kayla’s mother-in-law is also a breast cancer survivor.
“I feel very blessed to be a part of such a wonderful organization.” said Kayla.
Kayla’s number one goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of others and offer hope and compassion to those diagnosed with all forms of cancer.
Kayla is a happily married mom of a little boy named Landon. She enjoys reading, journaling, movies, and travel.
Douglas Runkle, Chief Operating Officer
Doug is a seasoned dual disciplined Fundraising and Human Resources professional. Prior to joining the non-profit sector in 2005, he spent 13 years in for-profit companies ranging from technology to marketing and public relations. Doug holds a BSBA from Shippensburg University.
In addition to his work with the Foundation, he currently sits as a voting member on The Council for Non-Profit Accountability; a national think-tank dedicated to helping non-profits develop responsible reporting methods to the public about their activities.
Arthur Granito, Chief Financial Officer
Before joining our team at the Cancer Recovery Foundation Group of Charities, Art served 23 years as the Chief Financial Officer for a multi-billion dollar pension fund. Prior to that, Art was an audit manager in the State Auditor General’s Office for 14 years. Art is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.
Art is married and enjoys time with his grandchildren. He also enjoys golfing, cooking and international traveling.
Katie Schock, Grant Writer
Katie has helped non-profit organizations identify, develop and maintain grants that fund crucial programs and services. She develops relationships with private foundations and corporations to effectively expand dollars for The Breast Cancer Charities of America.
She began her career working as an advocate for organizations providing disabilities services, youth organizations/education organizations and health organizations to secure government sources of funding. She has since focused on assisting non-profits secure funding through Foundations, Grants and Corporate Partnerships for organizational programs and projects. She has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science/Pre-Law from Ohio University.
Katie enjoys yoga, dancing, singing, and spending time with her family and friends. She recently had her first baby boy and is enjoying all the wonderful moments of being a new mommy.
LeighAnn Faour, Accountant
Leigh Ann has made BCCA her home after ten plus years of hands-on accounting/finance experience.
While my family has been blessed to have minimal cancer in our medical history, it has touched my life through friends. I have compassion and empathy for the life changing impact it has on survivors and their families.
BCCA has given me the opportunity to do what I enjoy most and be part of a great organization.
Garret Piper, Website Manager
Garret studied communications at Penn State. He has many functions within Cancer Recovery Foundation Group of Charities. However, his key role in support of The Breast Cancer Charities of America is maintaining the website. The combination of having an eye for layout and the ability to develop those concepts on the web make him an important asset to the BCCA team.
After dating for 7 years, Garret married his high school sweetheart. He enjoys playing baseball, hunting, fishing, hanging out with the guys, and golfing every chance he gets.
Austin Kulp, Creative Manager
Austin started working for Cancer Recovery Foundation Group of Charities in 2008 while attending Penn State. After graduating from Penn State 2009 with a Bachelors Degree in Communications, Austin started working full time as the Creative Manager for BCCA.
“Assisting those who have been affected by cancer is a great passion of mine. I have witnessed first hand the adversity that the cancer journey can bring. I am proud to say that I work for a great organization, that not only works to finding a cure but also assists with the day to day cancer journey needs.”
Austin enjoys playing sports, working out, cooking, and spending time with his family.
For PR and Media Inquires please contact:
Serrato+Co.
Gabriel Serrato
Gabriel@SerratoandCo.com
310.940.3400
or Mozell Miley-Bailey
homagepr@gmail.com
Board of Directors
Diana Holman-Gregor; Vice President
Linda Kamp Anderson; Secretary/Treasurer
Theo Cox; Board Member
