
National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC)
NBCC has been transforming the breast cancer landscape and working to fulfill its mission to end breast cancer, since its inception. NBCC links hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals into a dynamic, diverse coalition that gives breast cancer a meaningful voice in Washington, DC and state capitals, in laboratories and health care institutions, and local communities everywhere. Our member organizations range from small support groups to statewide and regional nonprofits to organizations with a national reach. They come together under our umbrella for public policy, education and training, and to develop new models of science and research.
We have separated ourselves from the pack with our unrelenting focus on our mission. We are determined to make breast cancer a priority for our government and the public. We insist on continued urgency to bring an end to breast cancer. We ask hard questions and reject popular thinking by standing up and challenging the status quo.
NBCC has increased funding for breast cancer research through its public policy efforts. Our activism launched and has generated more than 4 billion dollars for breast cancer research from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. No other organization has done more than NBCC to advance breast cancer research and public policy. We designed and influenced the passage of federal and state laws that expand access to health care for under-insured women. We accelerate progress in new treatment paradigms through our clinical trials project. We educate leaders and the public about evidence-based decision making in health care.
NBCC advances policies that foster innovative research and expand access to quality health care. Our Artemis Project is a unique collaboration of diverse scientists and advocates who are working on the development of a preventive breast cancer vaccine and designing action plans to end metastatic breast cancer. We are proud that the National Cancer Institute PREVENT Program approved NBCC’s Artemis vaccine proposal and will support the preclinical work leading to a Phase 1 trial.
We make certain that patients and other advocates play a meaningful role in policy and research through our unprecedented science training programs for lay advocates. NBCC has been a leader in supplying the education, tools and training that enable breast cancer survivors and other advocates to take leadership roles in decision making that affects breast cancer research, healthcare and public policy. NBCC has developed and implemented several beginner and advanced training programs in science that aim to empower patient and consumer advocates. Some of these training programs have been in existence for more than 25 years and are widely known within the breast cancer community as the premiere educational resource for advocates and survivors.
Finally, NBCC is often the go-to source for responses to emerging breast cancer research and controversies. Our executive team, board members, National Action Network, grassroots leaders, and key advocates are active on national and international committees; present at or attend national meetings; participate in grant reviews; maintain an active presence on social media about NBCC’s education campaigns; and comment in local and national publications, resulting in NBCC having extensive connections with breast cancer advocates and scientists across the nation.