ANNUAL REPORT 2 0 2 3 E D I T I O N
SurvivorLaurenDeMoss
*Light pink denotes new counties served in 2023
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SurvivorPhyllisJohnson
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Forge continues to grow In 2023, our direct impact on individuals impacted by breast cancer increased 173% over 2022. We also added new programs, new services and new staff to better serve Alabama’s breast cancer survivors
4,772
1,659
372 breast cancer patients & caregivers supported by Forge
845 free counseling sessions provided by Forge
# of times patients & caregivers attended Forge programs medical appointments attended with Forge's help
Financial value of 2023 tangible services and assistance
703 individuals received financial assistance in 2023
in mental health, nutrition & financial counseling
gas cards & Lyft rides in grocery cards & other resource assistance
hardship support
in
in
$27,573 $13,699 $35,580 $19,620
THE FIGURES FINANCIAL IMPACT
SERVICES
Forge offers strength by pairing clients with volunteer mentors to listen and support; provides resources such as health and wellness classes, professional mental health counseling, and gas cards for transportation to medical appointments; and works to build a community of survivors and volunteers to Forge a new future together
Individuals We Serve
Gas Cards
Calculated on mileage to and from upcoming breast cancer related appointments with annual cap
Grocery Cards
Gift cards for area grocery stores while in treatment with annual cap
Hardship Fund
Help with essential household bills while in or within one year of active treatment with annual cap
Mental Health Counseling
Free mental health counseling with licensed professionals for patients, survivors, and their families
Wigs
Free wigs to clients experiencing treatment-related hair loss
Lifestyle Programming
Forge offers a variety of programming including exercise, nutrition, art and support groups
Mastectomy Bra Fittings
Licensed Forge employee can provide bra and prosthesis fittings
Patients Survivors Pre-vivors Co-survivors Caregivers Families
SurvivorFabiolaValencia
HARDSHIP FUND
In December 2022, Forge launched a new program to combat the financial toxicity suffered by Alabama breast cancer patients The Hardship Fund was planned to launch in January 2023, but in one of the state’s coldest periods of the year and just a few weeks before Christmas, a client called us for help. Her home ran on gas and her propane tank was empty Her request was reviewed and approved by our survivor review committee. We were able to fill her propane tank for $795, allowing her to cook and heat her home for the rest of winter.
In 2023, we fulfilled 31 more individual requests for support, totaling $27,573 in financial assistance We helped breast cancer patients pay their rent, mortgage, car notes, and various utilities, allowing them to focus on healing rather than how to keep their lights on.
Our hardship fund is reserved for clients who are in or within one year of active treatment. Each request is reviewed by a threemember committee of survivor volunteers and each payment is made directly to the service provider
SurvivorErikaTodd
Designed to Inspire, Haute Pink is Forge’s premier fundraiser. On Oct. 12, Forge held its third annual Haute Pink, pairing local fashion designers with ten breast cancer survivors, and one cosurvivor.
To elevate the event, Forge moved the event to the Red Mountain Theatre The new venue was the perfect space to celebrate breast cancer patients, survivors and those who love them. More than $65,000 was raised with the help of our sponsors including The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Coca-Cola UNITED, Balch & Bingham, the Junior League of Birmingham, Oakworth Capital Bank, Cohn Plastic Surgery, Graycorp Logistics and Alabama Power.
Join us on October 17, 2024 to be part of the excitement!
OUR TEAM
Alaina Pineda
Janet Dees, R.N.
Jinida Holt
Meg Lovett
Anaiza Medina
Yadira Robayna
Angie Wood
Mary Bentley Barfield
Volunteer
Community Outreach Coordinator Hispanic Programs
Hispanic Client Services
Programs Director Staff
Lauren Roberts Executive Director VP of Strategic Initiatives Client Services Coordinator
Coordinator
Coordinator
Coordinator
Intern
OUR BOARD
In December 2023, Forge expanded its Board of Directors, growing the body by four seats, and electing a new President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Founding Board President Susan Sellers and Founding Board Secretary Robin DeMonia rolled off the board after serving the organization since its founding in 2016 We are grateful for their unwavering support.
Kerry Schrader, President Mixtroz
Javacia Harris Bowser, VP See Jane Write
Dorothy Pak, Secretary UAB Health
Jordan DeMoss, Treasurer UAB Health
JoAnna Brown Alabama Power
Ruby Fenton Wells Fargo
Scott Kelly Ogletree Deakins
Christy Parrozzo Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ala
Kelly Peace Regions
Dr. Charles Shumate Retired Breast Surgeon
Marie Sutton Birmingham Mayor’s Office
Vanessa Vargas Latino News
Cary Wahlheim Protective Life
Lauren Roberts, ex officio Forge
Susan Sellers Immediate Past President United Ability
Robin DeMonia Immediate Past Secretary Direct Communications
ADDITIONAL TEAM
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jordan DeMoss
UAB Health System
Kevin Flynn
Brookwood Baptist Health
Andrew Bell
Ascension St. Vincent’s
Christopher Nanni Community Foundation
Greater Birmingham
CLINICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Ellen Blackmon, MD
Vulcan Imaging Resources
Kris Boone, RT (R)(M)
Ascension St. Vincent’s
Kathryn Bowden, JD, MEd
Oasis Counseling
William C. Braswell, MD, FACS
Shelby Baptist Medical Center
Timothy Bullock, MD, FACS
Ascension St Vincent’s
John Carpenter, MD
UAB Health, retired
Beth Chandler, PT, CLT
Grandview Medical Center
Jennifer De Los Santos, MD
Grandview Medical Center
Kristi Denny, RT(R)(M), ARRT BN-CI
Grandview Medical Center
Nicholas Dionne-Odom, RN, ACHPN
UAB Health System
Madeline Harris, RN, MSN
UAB Health, retired
Jennifer Hicks, MSHA, MBA
UAB Health System
Louis Josof
Ascension St. Vincent’s
Katia Khoury, MD
UAB Health System
Rachael Lancaster, MD, FACS
UAB Health System
Marsha Newton, BS, LBSW
Princeton Baptist Medical Center
Luis F. Pineda, MD, MSHA
Cooking with Cancer, Inc
Laura Rutledge, RDN, CSO
Ascension St. Vincent’s
Carol Stephens, PC CLT-LANA
Brookwood Baptist
William A. Thompson III, MD,
FACS
Alabama Oncology
Sandra Tincher, MD
Brookwood Baptist
Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center 1321 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205 forgeon.org North Alalabama: 205-838-6159 | South Alabama: 251-320-3088 SUPPORTERS
