DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the third year in a row, donors can have their breast cancer donations and impact doubled thanks to the Milburn Foundation, Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Susan G. Komen®. The organizations are teaming up again to take on inflammatory breast cancer – an aggressive subtype of the disease that is hard to diagnose and treat. Through March 31, Milburn and IBC Research Foundation will match all donations to Komen up to $50,000, raising up to $250,000 in funds for research aimed at finding new ways of detecting and treating IBC.
“IBC is very dangerous because it’s hard to spot on a mammogram, doesn’t usually present with a lump, is easy to misdiagnose, and spreads quickly,” said Victoria Wolodzko, VP, Research and Community Health Programs Operations at Susan G. Komen. “Even worse, about 30 percent of women diagnosed with IBC will learn that their cancer has already spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body and is incurable. That’s why our partnership with Milburn Foundation and IBC Research Foundation is so vital, and we’re delighted to be working in partnership again to fund IBC research.”
The March matching gift campaign also kicks off a new three-year strategic partnership between the organizations. The group intends to develop a means to identify the most critical questions in IBC and IBC research, and continue to seek out and fund innovative research aimed at new approaches in diagnosing and treating IBC.
“Positive disruption is re-creating the status quo nearly everywhere,” said Bryon Davis, President of the Milburn Foundation. “Our cross-organizational team aims to re-create how research collaboration can drive faster innovation today, by seeking out discovery in new ways. Milburn applauds Komen and the IBC Research Foundation for standing together to drive true progress in this space. Milburn is a proud participant and supporter of this process.”
“There is high urgency for accelerating progress in IBC research,” said Ginny Mason, Executive Director of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation. “We are excited to continue to bring our expertise to the table as a part of this well-grounded strategic partnership. Collaborative action with inventive teammates like Susan G. Komen, the Milburn Foundation and the IBC Research Foundation increases the pace of progress for IBC research, benefiting the broader IBC community and more.
The partnership between the three organizations has raised nearly $1 million to date, thanks to two earlier matching gift campaigns in 2016 and 2017. Funds raised have made it possible to fund novel research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of IBC. Investing in research into aggressive and lethal breast cancers, including IBC, is critical to achieving Komen’s Bold Goal to reduce U.S. breast cancer deaths by 50 percent by 2026.
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 $956 million in research and provided more than $2.1 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs, serving millions of people in 60 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. That promise has become Komen’s promise to all people facing breast cancer. 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 is a private foundation that structures creative strategic partnerships with public charities and companies to drive philanthropic innovation for breast cancer research and more. The Milburn Foundation was born out of a father’s love for his daughter when she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Milburn is the proud recipient of the 2016 Susan G. Komen Reach Award (for fundraising innovation). Organizations interested in inventive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Venture Philanthropy, Impact Investing or Activist Philanthropy initiatives should contact us to learn more about how our donations can be coupled with a strategic partners’ objectives to amplify impact. Find out more or contact us 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).
