DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the next 30 days, Susan G. Komen, the Milburn Foundation and the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation (IBCRF) are joining forces to give donors a chance to double their donation and help fuel research into one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. Through the end of the month, Milburn and IBCRF will match all donations to Komen up to $50,000, raising up to $100,000 in funds for research aimed at finding new ways of detecting and treating inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).
“IBC is often difficult to diagnose because it does not usually present with a lump. Its main symptoms are redness, swelling or a rash, and many physicians aren’t familiar with this less common type of breast cancer,” said Victoria Wolodzko, VP of Research and Community Health Program Operations at Komen. “This is particularly alarming because it means women with IBC are being diagnosed at advanced stages, when there are not as many treatment options and odds of survival are lower.”
Research breakthroughs for aggressive forms of breast cancer, including IBC, are central to Komen’s Bold Goal of reducing the current number of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 50 percent by 2026.
“Our partnership with the Milburn Foundation and IBCRF will allow us to fund research that could lead to more effective treatments for IBC, pushing us closer to achieving our Bold Goal, and ultimately ending this disease,” Wolodzko added.
This is the second year that Komen and the Milburn Foundation have teamed up, raising more than $409,000 in March of 2016 (more than eight times the matching gift goal). In addition, Komen, Milburn and IBCRF teamed up last fall to announce funding for two grants aimed at developing new ways of diagnosing and treating IBC.
“We are ardent supporters of Susan G. Komen’s Bold Goal,” said Bryon Davis, President of the Milburn Foundation. “This fund-raising initiative and the IBC research grant collaboration, actively demonstrate how a private foundation like ours can unite leading partners against a common enemy – breast cancer.”
“Komen is a true leader in the breast cancer space and their dedication to openness, authentic team work and new approaches is a testament to the partnership’s success,” Davis continued. “IBCRF’s deep expertise is integrated in a way that is seamless and amplifies the benefits for all.”
“Tackling the challenge of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) requires determination and collaboration,” said Ginny Mason, RN, IBC Survivor and Executive Director of IBCRF.
“Research has been the focus of our mission from day one, and we're delighted to continue working with the Milburn Foundation and Komen,” Mason shared. “We see this matching gift campaign as both an IBC educational opportunity and a way to engage support for research of aggressive breast cancers like IBC.”
The largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research outside of the federal government, Komen has invested $8.9 million into research focused on IBC to date – part of the organization’s $920 million research portfolio. Read more about Komen’s research programs.
About Susan G. Komen®
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit outside of the federal government while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen has set a Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $920 million in research and provided more than $2 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at ww5.komen.org/social.
About The Milburn Foundation
The Milburn Foundation structures creative partnerships with public charities and companies to drive philanthropic innovation for targeted causes. Large or small companies interested in inventive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) solutions may have an opportunity to double or triple their impact through our programs. The Milburn Foundation is the proud recipient of the 2016 Susan G. Komen Reach Award (for fundraising innovation) and we are delighted to join the ranks of Conde Nast and other notable organizations who previously won this award. Find out more by visiting TheMilburnFoundation.org.
About IBC Research Foundation
Since 1999 the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation (IBCRF) has been leading the way in improving the lives of those touched by inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) through the power of action and advocacy. This is accomplished by tenaciously fostering innovative research, creatively educating stakeholders, and tirelessly advocating for both current patients and IBC survivors.
As a web-based non-profit, IBCRF relies on its dedicated volunteers across the country. Guided by the Medical Advisory Board, a group of extraordinary oncology professionals, IBCRF has funded patient-focused IBC research resulting in new discoveries as well as clinical trials. Learn more at www.ibcresearch.org or call 1-877-stop ibc. On social media? Join us on Facebook and Twitter (@IBCResearch).
