Three Key Stats You Should Know About Young Women with Breast Cancer and How You Can Help Them

There are more than 250,000 women living in the United States today who were diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 or younger (U.S. Census). These women represent 5-7% of all breast cancer patients diagnosed, annually, in the United States.

This year alone:

1. Approximately 26,393 women under age 45 will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. (National Cancer Institute).
2. Of that group, almost 3,000 of them will die of the disease this year.
3. 1,000 will be under the age of 40 (American Cancer Society).

The biological and psychosocial needs of young women with breast cancer often differ from older, postmenopausal women. For example, a breast cancer diagnosis early in a woman’s adult life can derail her career path, affect her ability to bear children, impact relationships and for many, lead to premature death. This population often feels isolated and alone because they can’t find other young women to connect with in their community.

Facing Breast Cancer Together:

Young Survival Coalition (YSC), the premier organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, is the voice for thousands of young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.  YSC works with survivors, co-survivors, and the medical and research communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer age 40 and under.

Having served these women since 1998, YSC provides the most comprehensive programmatic offerings to meet the unique needs of all young women affected by breast cancer.  Understanding how important it is for a young woman to have targeted resources and information, as well as be supported by her peers and have access to relevant experiences and insights of others, YSC focuses on issues specific to women at every stage of diagnosis, implementing a specialized track of programming geared towards women with metastatic disease, a particularly underserved group. In addition to providing national programs, YSC also has a large grassroots network of volunteer groups across the country where young women connect through support and networking opportunities. Furthermore, YSC has financial support programs in place to ensure that all young women have access to its services regardless of economic circumstances.

Support Young Women with Breast Cancer

Donations from individuals make a powerful statement of support for young women with breast cancer and help ensure no young woman faces breast cancer alone.

• $1,200 could pay for two young women to travel to YSC’s annual conference for young women affected by breast cancer.
• $500 could fund a Young Empowered Survivor (YES) educational program.
• $250 could allow YSC to train 4 survivors to serve as peer supporters.
• $100 could provide a Newly Diagnosed Navigator to six women when they need it most.

To learn more about YSC and to support their work, visit www.youngsurvival.org.

Support Young Survival Coalition (YSC) through workplace giving:

As a donor, you can support YSC by donating to them through your employer’s workplace giving program (CFC# 11518 if you’re a military or federal employee participating in the Combined Federal Campaign). Payroll pledges made through employer-sponsored charitable giving programs represent a cost-effective and nearly effortless way to support your favorite charities.

As YSC’s workplace giving partner, America’s Charities can help your company design and implement a program centered on supporting their work – through workplace giving campaigns, employee fundraising, cause-focused signature programs, volunteerism, donation drives, matching gifts, Dollars-for-Doers, In-Kind Giving and other employee engagement and philanthropic initiatives. Click here to request a demo and learn how we can help you do this.