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. Harvey, Executive Director |
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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.
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Marilyn Kinyo, Director of Partnership Development |
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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.
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Alex Aznar, Special Events and Marketing Manager |
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| 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.
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Kayla Rivera, Executive Assistant |
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| 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. |
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Douglas Runkle, Chief Operating Officer
(Bio coming soon)
Arthur Granito, Chief Financial Officer
(Bio coming soon)
Katie Schock, Grant Writer
(Bio coming soon)
LeighAnn Faour, Accountant
(Bio coming soon)
Board of Directors
Diana Holman-Gregor; Vice President
Linda Kamp Anderson; Secretary/Treasurer
Theo Cox; Board Member
