#GivingTuesday
2020 has been an extraordinary year.
The global health pandemic has exacerbated the anxieties and isolation of the vulnerable and immunocompromised breast cancer community.
While there is no vaccine (yet) for COVID-19, and still no cure (yet) for cancer,
please consider Survivingbreastcancer.org this #GivingTuesday, December 1.
What the numbers say:
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In 2020, approximately 276,480 women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during the time of COVID-19.
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30% of all new women cancers will be breast cancer.
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There are 3.5 million+ people living with a breast cancer diagnosis in the U.S.
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On average, a women in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer ever 2 minutes.
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11% of women are diagnosed under the age of 40 and have specific and unique needs and concerns.
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6-10% of women are diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer, Stage IV, and while treatable, there is no cure.
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25-30% of women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer will develop metastatic breast cancer in their lifetime.
Why this matters:
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The 276,480 women diagnosed this year have most likely experienced delays in breast cancer treatment, life-saving therapies, and the opportunity to bring a loved one or friend to the hospitals as a result of COVID-19.
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As more and more women are getting diagnosed at a younger age, there is a gap in support and resources to address concerns such as fertility and family planning, going into medical induced menopause, speaking with young children about cancer, career planning, or transitioning back into the workforce after a breast cancer diagnosis.
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The trauma of a cancer diagnosis continues long after treatment ends. Women experience the fear of cancer coming back (recurrence), prolonged endocrine therapies for 5 to 10 years, and long term side effects from the toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation.
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Women living with metastatic disease have additional complexities such as being on life-long treatment plans, fear of cancer progression, pain management, and emotional and psychosocial distress.
What Survivingbreastcancer.org is doing
Community, Support and Resources play a critical role in survivorship. We partner with breast cancer survivors/thrivers and their families from day one and beyond to empower them to be self-advocates, provide them with access to information and timely educational advancements in breast cancer research, and forge strong connections and a sisterhood bond within the breast cancer community. When you donate to Survivingbreastcancer.org, you are providing:
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Access to educational content through weekly podcasts on "Breast Cancer Conversations".
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Opportunities to engage in weekly support groups .
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Community events in the form of weekly webinars and monthly book clubs.
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Hope and inspiration through weekly survivor stories, blog posts, hot topics and announcements found in our weekly newsletter and our weekly #FeatureFriday emails
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Engagement in research and clinical trial so we can better understand this disease and enhance quality of life for those diagnosed.
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Resource Guides on important topics such as nutrition, exercise and caregiving.
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Tailored resource pages and community specifically for those living with metastatic breast cancer.