Program areas at VBCF
Increase access: Newly established in 2022, VBCF's Screening & Diagnostic Services Fund covers the cost of screening and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, and MRIs at not-for-profit hospitals for Virginians who do not have insurance or cannot afford the out-of-pocket cost in Southwest Virginia. VBCF funds provided 448 screening services for 222 unduplicated patients, resulting in 3 breast cancer diagnoses receiving timely treatment. Also launched in 2022, our Resource Coordination program has helped 75 Virginians identify and connect to non-medical resources needed before, during, and after treatment.
Advocate: VBCF pursues long-term policy change strategies to improve breast cancer public policy, coordinating state and federal action to educate our elected officials. We offer annual Scholarships to train volunteer advocates at national breast cancer conferences.We support healthcare access improvements, medication affordability, and paid medical leave. At the state level, VBCF has worked to introduce a state bill to ensure affordable access to diagnostic breast cancer care. At the national level, VBCF supports the Dept of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program that has brought $49.1 million to Virginia researchers since 1993, the 2022 Lymphedema Treatment Act passage and the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act.
Educate: VBCF serves as a reputable information and resource clearinghouse on breast cancer early detection, diagnosis, treatment, research, legislation and survivorship. VBCF.org includes resources to Find Help; Learn More about our programs; and Take Action with more than 31,000 unique views in 2022. Our Breast Cancer is More Than a Pink Ribbon educaional campaign distributed 33,000+ free English and Spanish Breast Health Basics brochures and door hanger cards in 2022. 235 Virginians received free newly diagnosed, metastic, caregiver, and/or survivorship Support kits. VBCF staff and volunteers attended local speaking engagements and hosted educational tables sharing breast health information with hundreds of attendees.