Message from Yonni Wattenmaker, Executive Director

Yonni Wattenmaker, Executive Director BOARD OF DIRECTORS Courtney Olsen, President Michelle Abadir-Hallock, MD Kim Augustine Amy Dates Carbone Sandra Caruso Karen Colella Rebecca Davis Sue Delepine Donna Hagberg, MD Mary K. Jeffery Lois Kelly Stephanie Latham Nina Lindia Dee Mayberry Justin Nelson Barbara Rodkin Nancy Rosen Meg Russell Lauren Schweibold Trish Shannon Magali Swanson Susan Weis Jane Gershon Weitzman Elisa Wilson Diane Zarrilli Molly Zola Sharon Phillips, Trustee Emeritus

MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD K.M. Steve Lo, MD, Chair Susan K. Boolbol, MD Patrick I. Borgen, MD Rachel Brem, MD Alison Estabrook, MD Alexandra Heerdt, MD Brigid Killelea, MD Gregory S. LaTrenta, MD Linda LaTrenta, MD Donna-Marie Manasseh, MD Monica Morrow, MD Elisa Port, MD David L. Rimm, MD, PhD Andrea Silber, MD Barbara A. Ward, MD Richard Zelkowitz, MD

ADVISORY COUNCIL Jane Batkin Susan Bevan Frannie Burns Kathy Clark Jill Coyle Carol Crapple Nat Day Patti Fast Lisa Fischer Brett Holey David Jones Karen Lowney Evan Margolin James McArdle Kenneth E. Mifflin Scott Mitchell Andrew Mitchell-Namdar Donna Moffly Betsy Donovan Nolan Berk Nowak Maureen Perry Jordan Rhodes Ellen Schapps Richman Carol Santora Margaret Sinclair William C. Sinclair Nancy and Turner Smith Marylou Williams Ramze Zakka

FOUNDERS Lucy Day (1944-2020) Susan Elia (1944-2017) Kenny King Howe Valerie Marchese Cecile McCaull Mary Waterman (1944-1997)

MESSAGE FROM YONNI WATTENMAKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

365 days. A year is how long it has been since I last wrote my column for this newsletter. In many ways, so much has changed. We began to venture beyond the safety of our homes. We unmasked. We hugged. We celebrated holidays with loved ones. We traveled. Kids went to camp, parents went to parties, and so much more. Doctors learned new skills, scientists discovered new treatments, patients were screened by better technology, and people were better educated about prevention and early detection, and flourished post-treatment. At BCA, we held Board meetings in person, welcomed 600 guests to our October 2021 annual luncheon and fashion show, brought back our 5K Run/Walk for Hope and our holiday boutique along with a series of other special events, allowing us to grant nearly $1.2mm for 2022. We also hosted a full roster of free educational programs, in partnership with talented and engaging speakers, via livestream, Vimeo and Zoom, to bring important information to audiences across the US and beyond.

As much as we hoped COVID would be in the rearview mirror by now, it is still a factor with which we must contend, and our economic situation has been volatile because of a variety of world circumstances. Despite all of that, breast cancer persists. I recently fielded advice and referrals for three newly diagnosed patients, in one week’s time. While not every week looks that way, one diagnosis is one too many. At BCA our goals remain steadfast. We want to educate as many people as we can with tips on prevention, the need for early detection, and new surgical and treatment options. We want to share your stories and build “WE WANT TO awareness of Breast EDUCATE AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE Cancer Alliance’s CAN WITH TIPS ON work to expand the PREVENTION, THE audiences we reach NEED FOR EARLY and, most imporDETECTION, AND NEW SURGICAL tantly, to raise the AND TREATMENT funds necessary OPTIONS.” for doctors and scientists to keep advancing the field, improving outcomes, and saving lives. October’s annual luncheon and

the GoForPink initiatives throughout the month are where most of the funding needed to further our mission are generated. The more support and involvement we have from YOU in those efforts, the more impact WE can make for ALL in the year ahead.

I thank you for what you have already done and look forward to partnering with you as we continue. See you in October! Sincerely,And yet once again, or perhaps still, we find ourselves in challenging times.