The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC)

The Client The National Breast Cancer Coalition* (NBCC) is a powerful voice, speaking for women and men across the country, demanding victory in the war against breast cancer. In 2003 it was named one of the twenty most influential groups in health policy based on a survey of congressional staff the only grassroots group and the only breast cancer organization to make that list. Since NBCC's founding in 1991, it has changed the world of breast cancer in public policy, science, industry and advocacy by creating new partnerships, collaborations, research funding opportunities and avenues for access to quality care. NBCC has grown to include hundreds of organizations, representing several million patients, professionals, women, their families and friends. Coalition members include cancer support, information and service groups, as well as women's health and provider organizations. Governed by a 26-person Board of Directors who represent the diversity of breast cancer groups nationally, the organization has a staff of 30 and a combined (501 (C)(3) and 501 (C)(4) budget of approximately $9 million. NBCC's mission is to eradicate breast cancer, the most common form of cancer among women in the United States (excluding skin cancer), by focusing the administration, U.S. Congress, research institutions and consumer advocates on breast cancer. NBCC encourages all those concerned about this disease to become advocates for action and change. The Coalition informs, trains and directs patients and others in effective advocacy efforts. Nationwide, women and men are increasing the awareness of breast cancer public policy by participating in legislative, scientific and regulatory decisions, promoting positive media coverage and actively working to raise public awareness. To achieve its mission, the National Breast Cancer Coalition has three primary goals: - Research: to promote research into the cause of and optimal treatments and cure for breast cancer through increased funding, improved coordination and distribution of research funds, and recruitment and training of scientists; - Access: to improve access to high-quality breast cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and care for all women particularly the underserved and uninsured-through legislation and change in the regulation and delivery of health care; - Influence: to increase the involvement and influence of those living with breast cancer and other breast cancer activists in the decision-making processes that impact all aspects of the disease. The extensive efforts of NBCC's nationwide advocacy network have resulted in meaningful progress in the fight against breast cancer. Overview of NBCC/NBCCF's major accomplishments since its inception in 1991: - Created and mobilized a powerful, effective and diverse network of trained grassroots activists, giving breast cancer a meaningful voice in Washington, D.C. and state capitals, in laboratories and health care institutions. - Increased federal funding for breast cancer research, including over $2.1 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program. - Conceived and spearheaded an unprecedented model of consumer involvement and innovative research at the DOD peer-reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program, which has attracted more than 29,000 proposals since its inception. - Urged the Clinton Administration to create a National Action Plan on Breast Cancer, a unique collaboration of government, science, private industry and consumers, and co-chaired the Plans implementation. - Channeled the outrage that low-income and uninsured women had access to screening but not treatment into a public policy strategy and successful fight for a system of care, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act. - Established an innovative Annual Advocacy Training Conference to empower thousands of advocates to push for quality care, research and health care access and better serve their communities. - Created Project LEAD®, an acclaimed science-based training program for breast cancer advocates, with over 1,300 graduates and a website for continuing education. - Developed Beyond the Headlines to bring the perspective of trained breast cancer activists to research studies and media reports, to cut through the rhetoric and provide unbiased breast cancer information and offer tools for understanding the complexities inherent in breast cancer issues. - Launched our Clinical Trials Initiative to make certain that the right research gets done correctly and quickly, that trained breast cancer survivors are included in trial design and accrual; and that policies encourage access to trials and mandate insurance coverage for participants. - Assisted groups nationwide and throughout the world to strengthen their ability to speak up and out about political, scientific and health care issues. - Created our Environmental Initiative to lead the fight for a national strategy to address the links between environmental factors and breast cancer. - Developed our Quality Care Initiative to put the power in the hands of women with the disease to make informed treatment decisions and promote systems change. Created the Guide to Quality Breast Cancer Care, a consumer guidebook that helps those affected by breast cancer to better understand what quality care is and how to get it. - Earned recognition as one of the top 25 most influential groups in national health policy in a University of Chicago study. - Created breakthrough programs to shape the future of breast cancer research, including a Strategic Consensus Conference on biomarkers. - Launched Personal Stories, Public Action & trade; and Get it Off Your Chest campaigns to put a face on breast cancer. During the last 12 months, NBCC has invested heavily in branding, positioning, marketing, outreach and communications. Recent initiatives include: - Market analysis to create positioning and branding for organization includes new logo, messaging and core organizational values. - Creation of new collateral materials to promote the organization and specific programs. - Redesign of organizations primary web property, StopBreastCancer.org. - Launch of patient-centered web property, KnowBreastCancer.org. - 31 Myths & Truths campaign for October, including significant enhancement of presence on social networking sites. - Star-studded public service announcement created; airings confirmed on CBS & FOX, and during the So You Think You Can Dance tour. - Webcasts offered regularly to general membership about health care reform and other topics. - Migration of constituent management and electronic communications to Convio. - Integration of text messaging communication services via Mobile Commons. *In order to conduct lobbying and educational efforts, NBCC is composed of two organizational arms, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, which lobbies Congress for improved public policies, and the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, which supports the Coalition's education programs. Frances M. Visco, President Fran Visco is the first president of NBCC, and she is a member of its Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Ms. Visco is an honors graduate of St. Joseph's University and of Villanova University School of Law, where she was an editor of the Villanova Law Review and a chair of the Women's Law Caucus. Ms. Visco was a partner in a Philadelphia law firm before leaving law to focus on NBCC's work. In 1993, President Clinton appointed Ms. Visco as one of three members of the President's Cancer Panel, and she was the first consumer to chair the Integration Panel of the Department of Defense Peer-Review Breast Cancer Research Program. She co-chaired the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and served on the National Cancer Policy Board. Ms. Visco has testified before congressional committees, has lectured throughout the United States and internationally on the politics of breast cancer and women's health advocacy issues, and has been a frequent guest on national television discussing women's health. She has been a member of Institute of Medicine panels and has served on other policy committees, including the steering committees of the Breast Cancer International Research Group and the Experts Advisory Panel for the Universal Health Insurance Program at the New America Foundation. Ms. Visco is a 21-year breast cancer survivor. She and her husband are residents of Philadelphia and the parents of a 22-year-old son. For more information on NBCC and its leadership, visit www.StopBreastCancer.org.