SurvivingBreastCancer.org Receives Gilead Foundation Grant to Advance Metastatic Breast Cancer Support
- Surviving Breast Cancer
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Contact:
Laura Carfang
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOSTON, MA — SurvivingBreastCancer.org was named among the recipients of new grants from the Gilead Foundation. Totaling over $3 million to 53 organizations, this financial commitment aims to support people affected by metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The Gilead Foundation’s initiative will increase support for MBC education, care accessibility, and support services.
Healthcare systems are often unable to accommodate the MBC community’s need for holistic, patient-centered care. This grant from the Gilead Foundation validates the importance of community-based support systems in cancer care. Patients and caregivers alike in the SurvivingBreastCancer.org community have expressed that education, navigation, and emotional support are vital components of living with MBC.
As a grant recipient, SurvivingBreastCancer.org views this moment as an acknowledgement of the need for trust and lived experience in cancer care’s evolution. Community connection plays an essential role in navigating the most challenging aspects of post-diagnosis life. Financial support in this area is an empowering reminder that the sentiments of the MBC community are heard loud and clear.
What This Investment Means for the Metastatic Breast Cancer Community
While MBC treatments have advanced in recent years, more progress is needed. “The five-year relative survival rate for people with mBC is 29%, highlighting an urgent need for improved education and integrated support services to help patients navigate complex treatment decisions and improve outcomes,” the Gilead Foundation stated.
Additionally, people living with MBC are far more than mere statistics, and survival rates fail to capture human experiences. These unique individuals face unimaginable challenges and side effects on a daily basis — all while attempting to traverse an often-discombobulating and fragmented healthcare system.
With support from the Gilead Foundation, SurvivingBreastCancer.org will expand and strengthen its metastatic breast cancer programming through a focused, multi-pronged approach designed to address the real-world challenges people face after diagnosis.
Grant funding will be used to:
Expand metastatic breast cancer-specific education by developing accessible, evidence-informed content that helps individuals better understand treatment options, disease progression, and shared decision-making.
Strengthen patient navigation and health literacy support, ensuring individuals living with MBC can more confidently interpret medical information, prepare for appointments, and advocate for their care.
Increase access to emotional and psychosocial support, including peer connection opportunities and facilitated community spaces that reduce isolation and emotional burden.
Advance culturally responsive and inclusive programming, with an emphasis on meeting individuals where they are and addressing disparities related to language, access, and health literacy.
SurvivingBreastCancer.org’s Role as a Trusted Community Partner
Since 2017, SurvivingBreastCancer.org has addressed the overlooked aspects of cancer care through patient-centered education and community-driven programming. The organization has become a trusted resource for the MBC community, with initiatives informed by lived experiences. By prioritizing the needs of those impacted by MBC — including patients, caregivers, and advocates — SurvivingBreastCancer.org’s programs and educational resources are shaped by real people to address their challenges. These programs and support services continue to bridge the gap between clinical treatment and everyday life while remaining accessible, relevant, and compassionate.
“Investments like this grant from the Gilead Foundation move the field forward by validating community-based organizations as essential partners in cancer care,” said Laura Carfang, Ed.D., founder and executive director of SurvivingBreastCancer.org. “When we center the lived experiences of those impacted by metastatic breast cancer and invest in sustainable support systems, we don’t just improve care — we restore dignity, agency, and hope.”
The Gilead Foundation’s recognition of SurvivingBreastCancer.org also highlights the need to address disparities in access to information and support. Many individuals with MBC also face health literacy gaps, cultural and linguistic barriers, and limited access to trusted resources. SurvivingBreastCancer.org remains committed to inclusive, accessible education that meets people where they are and reflects the diversity of experiences within the breast cancer community.
Building Sustainable, Patient-Centered Metastatic Breast Cancer Care
SurvivingBreastCancer.org recognizes the Gilead Foundation’s commitment to advancing education, care, and support for people affected by metastatic breast cancer. As a grantee, SurvivingBreastCancer.org will transform this investment into tangible educational resources and community-driven programming.
This investment invites donors, partners, and media to recognize the vital role community-based organizations like SurvivingBreastCancer.org play in strengthening cancer care. By investing in education and sustainable support models, this grant helps ensure that people living with metastatic breast cancer are not only surviving but are informed, supported, and empowered.
Contact:
Laura Carfang
Founder and Executive Director