President's Corner
Pat Halpin-Murphy
President and Founder

I firmly believe that no woman should lose her battle with breast cancer because she has no insurance and cannot afford proper treatment.  Because of the efforts of the PBCC, we are fortunate to have the FREE Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program here in Pennsylvania.  Through the program, women with low to moderate income who are diagnosed with breast cancer or a pre-cancerous condition can get FREE quality care regardless of their lack of insurance.

My major concern, however, is the lack of public awareness that exists about the program.  The PBCC is working to change this situation.  We plan to host informational seminars throughout the state to explain the program and let healthcare providers and patients know how to access free treatment for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Since the PBCC was instrumental in creating this program here in PA, we have a responsibility to make sure that the women who need this coverage know about the program and are able to get their treatment covered.

Sister Study Seeks Participants

You may hold the key for researchers who are trying to better understand why women get breast cancer.  The National Institute of Environmental Health Service is conducting a landmark study calling for 50,000 women across the US and Puerto Rico ages 35-74 who do not  have breast cancer, but have a sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The study aims to learn how environment and genes may affect the chances of being diagnosed.  To learn more about the Sister Study, go to www.sisterstudy.org or call 1-877-474-7837.

Events Calendar

PBCC Welcomes Katie Creme, Summer Intern

Fundraiser of the Month
Reading Phillies Breast Cancer Awareness Day

On May 2oth, over 7000 fans gathered at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading for the third annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day to benefit the PBCC.  Players wore special pink jerseys which were raffled and auctioned off after the game.  Some of the guys even used pink bats!  $5208 was raised that day.  Thanks, Reading Phillies!

Visit our Grassroots Partners page for more photos of this and other events.

(PBCC staffer Tricia Grove auctions off the pink bases used during the Reading Phillies game.)

The PBCC's Income Tax Check-Off allows taxpayers to donate their state tax refunds to breast cancer research.  It is the most popular check-off on the PA tax form and has been very successful, raising over $2 million for research in this state.  However, the current law is set to expire later this year, which would put an end to this very simple way to raise money for cancer research.

Thankfully, Speaker of the House, Rep. Dennis O'Brien, at the request of the PBCC, introduced legislation that continues the Income Tax Check-Off for Breast Cancer Research.  We are so grateful to him for taking the initiative and doing what needs to be done.

But we still need YOU, as an advocate for the PBCC, to speak up in support of this legislation.  Please contact your legislator to say you support HB1531 which would extend the Income Tax Check-Off for Breast Cancer Research.  Click here for a list of legislators and their contact information.  And please remember to thank Speaker O'Brien for taking the lead on this important legislation.

Starting June 15th, the PBCC will provide FREE Friends Like Me™ Survivor Care Packages to breast cancer survivors across Pennsylvania.  These packages differ from our Friends Like Me™ Care Packages because they are designed to meet the needs of women who have moved beyond diagnosis, treatment and recovery from cancer and on to survivorship. 

Pat Halpin-Murphy received the "Making a Difference for Women" award from the Soroptimist International Club of West Shore.  The award is given to women who work tirelessly to improve the lives of women and girls, both personally and professionally.  The award came with a $1000 prize for the PBCC.  Congratulations Pat!