FEBRUARY 26, 2024 – Karen Hale, a member of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) Board of Directors since 2018, has been named co-chair and is poised to lead the organization—the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world—as it marks three decades of progress in breast cancer prevention and care. Succeeding Kinga Lampert, who served in the role for 10 years, Hale officially takes the helm as of February 26, 2024 alongside BCRF Board Co-chair William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

This year alone, BCRF is funding $60.2 million in grants to more than 250 scientists at leading medical and academic institutions across 15 countries.

“Even as BCRF marks 30 years of advancing every major breakthrough in breast cancer research, we remain steadfast in our mission to ultimately eradicate the disease and end its life-threatening power,” said BCRF President and CEO Donna McKay. “We know Karen’s increased leadership will be invaluable to our forward momentum. I have no doubt that, with Karen and William driving the philanthropic and strategic vision of BCRF, we will absolutely speed the delivery of better treatment options and improve our ability to prevent the disease entirely for the millions of patients around the world that are depending on us.”

Stepping into the role of BCRF’s Board co-chair, Hale continues to exemplify one of the deepest tenets of philanthropy: supporting mission-driven organizations with a meaningful track record of genuine impact.

Hale and her husband, Rob, are among the most preeminent philanthropists in the country with a wide, diverse range of giving, all with the goal of advancing mission-based organizations. With a long history of supporting premier medical research institutions including Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and funding dozens of community-based nonprofit organizations, the Hales have been quietly advancing missions as broad as curing cancer and as specific as programs to help disadvantaged youth through lacrosse.

BCRF holds a special meaning for Hale: Her mother has been living with metastatic disease for the last 4 years, nearly 20 years after being initially treated for breast cancer. Hale credits the targeted therapy Herceptin, made possible by BCRF-funded research, for extending her mother’s life.

“Our mission is not just important to me but is a matter of improving public health and our impact is truly global in scope. I have spent years working with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, especially in our fundraising efforts in the New England region. My unique lens as a member of the Board of Directors has given me the opportunity to witness the brilliance and direct impact of BCRF’s funding and the organization’s unparalleled commitment to eradicating breast cancer,” said Hale.” I am deeply grateful for the faith the Board has shown in electing me to this position and I look forward to working more closely with William as co-chair and the entire BCRF team.”

Breast cancer research is at a critical inflection point as incidence is on the rise, health inequities remain gravely stark, and metastatic disease continues to take lives. And yet, the power of research remains evident: improvements in treatment and screening have resulted in a 43% percent decline in deaths over the last three decades since BCRF’s founding.

“I am honored to welcome Karen to join me as co-chair of BCRF.  I have deep respect and admiration for her longstanding commitment to elevating and funding lifesaving research.  I look forward to partnering with Karen to help prevent and cure breast cancer,” said William P. Lauder.

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About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Research is the key to stopping it in its tracks. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. We invest in the best minds in science—from those investigating prevention to metastasis—and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration. Our approach accelerates the entire field and moves us closer to the answers we urgently need. We can’t stop now. Join us in fueling the world’s most promising research. With you, we will be the end of breast cancer. Learn more and get involved at BCRF.org.

Music icon Gloria Gaynor knows a thing or two about survival. Her hit song, “I Will Survive,” became even more meaningful to her 15 years ago when she was facing down a divorce from her husband and manager, financial hardship, and a high-risk surgery to relieve decades of chronic spinal pain. But even as she struggled to overcome these challenges, Gaynor remained focused on her passion not just for music but also for raising breast cancer awareness and funds for research to end the disease.

“This is a cause so dear to my heart because it impacts women all over the world,” Gaynor said. “Research is the reason we will survive.”

Gaynor first connected with BCRF in 2016 when then-sixth grader Mia Smith of Long Island, NY, held her second annual “Making Cents Out of Breast Cancer” fundraising campaign—a project inspired by her mom, Lisa, who had been treated for breast cancer. Gaynor, a friend of the Smith family, matched donations to BCRF that Mia had collected at school and treated Mia and her schoolmates to a performance of “I Will Survive.” 

In 2022, Gaynor was the featured entertainer at BCRF’s annual Boston Hot Pink Party, a fundraising event that honors Boston-based supporters. A record-breaking evening, the event raised more than $2.1 million for breast cancer research which supported BCRF investigators based in New England. 

Now, the disco and gospel queen is debuting a new fragrance, Survive, with $5 of every bottle sold going to BCRF. Inspired by her hit song, Survive is a blend of floral and gourmand notes, including golden muguet, cattelya orchid, and water jasmine, with a sweet dry-down of vanilla nectar and liquid amber musk. As a bonus, the first 500 people who order the fragrance will get a hand-autographed keepsake card from Gaynor. To order your bottle, click here.

Gaynor fans also won’t want to miss her inspiring new documentary, Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive, which opens in theaters on February 13 only. The film charts her rise to stardom, her faith in God, and how the many challenges she’s faced have influenced her career.

“All of those struggles make us stronger and help us to get to where we want to be,” Gaynor says in the movie’s trailer. To get tickets for Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive, visit the Fathom Events website. 

Play for P.I.N.K. (PFP), one of BCRF’s largest donors, recently announced a $5.75 million donation to the Foundation—PFP’S  largest contribution to date. With this new gift, the organization has now donated over $80 million dollars to support BCRF’s mission to fund lifesaving breast cancer research.  

“When BCRF became our sole beneficiary nearly 28 years ago, we could never have imagined the impact we would have together,” said PFP President Laura Lassman. “I’ve seen the power of research unfold before me. This year’s unprecedented gift leaves me deeply energized by the continued passion and commitment of our volunteers and fundraisers around the country to achieve our shared goal: a world without breast cancer.”

Lassman founded PFP in 1990 to show her support for a close friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She organized a golf tournament at Alpine Country Club in New Jersey, which was intended to be a one-time event but became an annual fundraiser. Inspired by her community’s eagerness to raise money for breast cancer research, Lassman encouraged her friends and supporters to hold additional tournaments at other clubs in the area. Over the years, PFP expanded dramatically and now supports tens of thousands of participants in 30 states to raise funds for research through sporting and lifestyle events.

BCRF became PFP’s sole beneficiary in 1996 after Lassman was introduced to the late Evelyn H. Lauder, BCRF’s Founder. Thanks to underwriting from The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign—the organization’s Title Sponsor—PFP is able to donate 100 percent of its proceeds to the Foundation.

To learn how you can get involved, visit playforpink.org.

New York, NY – Sept 27, 2023 – The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) announced its $60.2 million commitment to fund breast cancer research in 2023-2024, supporting more than 250 scientists at leading academic and medical institutions across 14 countries. BCRF-funded research spans the entire spectrum of the disease—from studying the very roots of cancer to how it spreads throughout the body. Marking its 30^th year, BCRF now stands as the largest private funder of breast cancer research—and metastatic breast cancer research—in the world.

“For 30 years, BCRF has led the charge in moving research forward,” said BCRF President & CEO Donna McKay. “Since BCRF’s founding in 1993, the scientists we support have been thinking big, taking risks, and consequently, breaking new ground. BCRF empowers the world’s most brilliant investigators to test bold new ideas. Their innovations become the basis of breakthroughs to come—advances that now arrive at ever-increasing speed. We are grateful to our supporters for making another year of groundbreaking research possible.”

“We’ve seen tremendous progress over the last three decades,” said BCRF Chief Scientific Officer Dorraya El-Ashry, PhD. “Even as we’ve made significant, lifesaving advances in understanding and treating breast cancer, it is still the leading cause of cancer incidence and cancer death in women around the world. We must continue to lead the charge in improving treatments while tackling prevention, all while seeking to ensure an equitable future for all patients to reap lifesaving benefits. At BCRF, we remain committed to cultivating a community of scientists to lead the charge on both fronts—curing and preventing breast cancer.”

Learn more about our research projects by tuning in to BCRF’s official podcast, Investigating Breast Cancer, available on all platforms, for one-on-one interviews with the world’s leading breast cancer experts. And keep up with the latest developments in breast cancer research on BCRF’s blog, The Progress Report.

BCRF funds a diverse array of researchers working across the entire spectrum of breast cancer, including in the following major focus areas:

HARNESSING THE POWER OF BIG DATA

BCRF will continue to expand our Global Data Hub, a first-of-its-kind centralized collection of breast cancer research data. The wide variety of datasets it contains, when shared with others and when coupled with state-of-the art technologies such as artificial intelligence, will dramatically expedite new studies and amplify the impact of all BCRF investments, including leading-edge investigations into metastasis.

BCRF REMAINS COMMITED TO ENSURING EQUITABLE PROGRESS

While deaths from breast cancer have declined by 43 percent over the last 30 years, the same has not held true across all U.S. populations. Most alarmingly, Black women are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. We are committed to addressing disparities by taking a multi-pronged approach to study the root causes of this inequity—this includes supporting a myriad of studies that examine factors from genetic and biological to environmental that impact the disparity gap. BCRF also launched a partnership with The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation to advance our shared goal of reducing breast cancer disparities. Our Health Equity Initiative seeks to improve outcomes by addressing the complex questions regarding how multiple biological and social factors interact to influence breast cancer risk and outcomes for Black women.  

BCRF IS THE LARGEST PRIVATE FUNDER OF METASTATIC RESEARCH WORLDWIDE

Each year, BCRF significantly invests in research for metastatic breast cancer (MBC), funding 83 projects this year. Studies include those to understand the basic biology of how a breast cancer cell spreads throughout the body, discover biomarkers that can predict which cancers are most likely to spread, and develop new therapies to treat and prevent metastasis.

BCRF’s AURORA projects, supported by the Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund, is the largest international effort dedicated exclusively to MBC research. This collaborative, multi-year global initiative, which studies the molecular basis of metastasis, is already yielding important and actionable insights—building blocks for the next innovations against MBC. Preliminary results from the most comprehensive molecular analysis of metastatic breast cancer have revealed changes in molecular subtypes, genomic landscape, and the immune microenvironment in metastatic tumors compared to matched primary tumors.

STUDYING THE ROOT OF ALL CANCER CELLS

Research in tumor biology is the foundation of nearly all breast cancer research and makes up more than half of BCRF’s research grants portfolio, totaling 155 projects studying cancer initiation genes and pathways, tumor growth drivers, and biomarkers. BCRF’s sustained support of research into the fundamental biology of cancer underpins the strides we’ve made in precision medicine and targeted therapies.

UNDERSTANDING INHERITED RISK OF CANCER

BCRF continues to invest in research studying genetic ancestry, family history, and more to better predict risk, with 47 projects funded this year. Studies go beyond the well-known breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, to understand the impact of lesser-known genes (i.e., PALB2, CHEK2, and ATM) as well as investigating how common gene mutations that alone are non-pathogenic but when combined influence inherited breast cancer risk. In addition, BCRF researchers are identifying prevention and screening strategies for individuals at high risk.

THE NEXT FRONTIER OF PREVENTION

The only way to reduce breast cancer incidence is to prevent the disease from taking root. BCRF is funding 47 projects to advance our understanding of risk factors and develop interventions to migrate the risk. Researchers are investigating how factors such as obesity and environmental exposures may impact risk, while searching for lifestyle intervention strategies to reduce risk and prevent breast cancer. Building on the success of Phase I of BCRF’s Precision Prevention Initiative (PPI), we’ve launched the project’s Phase II. To make tailored prevention strategies the new standard of care, PPI Phase II will drive inquiries into risk assessment and stratification; biomarkers that may indicate risk and prognosis; and preventative interventions beyond prophylactic surgery.

SEARCHING FOR THE MOST EFFECTIVE, TREATMENTS

BCRF investigators are leading the field in the search for new therapeutic strategies for breast cancer with 139 projects this year. BCRF investigators are seeking to improve existing therapies and advance new ones. As advances in precision medicine move us into an era where therapies are less toxic, more targeted, and more personalized, BCRF supports the refinement of technologies like liquid biopsy, immunotherapy, and antibody-drug conjugates—each of which may allow clinicians to de-escalate treatment without sacrificing efficacy.

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE DURING AND AFTER BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

There are nearly 4 million people in the U.S. with a history of breast cancer with an estimated 168,000 people living with metastatic disease. BCRF is funding 40 projects seeking answers to the variety of physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges faced during and after treatment, so that patients are not only living longer, but are able to live full and productive lives.

“We are thrilled to name Donna McKay as the new President and CEO of BCRF,” said Kinga Lampert, co-chair of the BCRF Board of Directors. “Her proven track record in successfully expanding resources to drive impact for renowned nonprofit organizations gives us tremendous confidence as she leads BCRF into its next chapter when the promise of cancer research has never been greater.”

At PHR McKay led a global team to significantly diversify funding and expand its network of supporters, doubling its budget and securing a landmark $9 million challenge grant. Her work to forge PHR’s medical and scientific partnerships led to a vastly increased legion of academic and industry researchers to advance its mission.

She was previously the director of institutional advancement and special projects at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) where she played a critical role in transforming the organization as it responded to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. McKay steps into the role that had been held by former President and CEO Myra Biblowit who retired from the organization after 22 years.

“On behalf of the entire board, I extend my deepest appreciation to Myra for her transformative leadership that has taken BCRF to extraordinary heights,” said William P. Lauder, executive chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies and co-chair of the BCRF Board of Directors. “Myra’s partnership with my mother, BCRF’s Founder Evelyn H. Lauder, and her continued devotion to Evelyn’s legacy have assured BCRF’s growth and prominence as the dominant force in the cure for breast cancer. We salute Myra’s tireless dedication to our shared mission and wish her all our best in retirement.”

BCRF is currently supporting 255 scientists at leading academic and medical institutions in 14 countries who are working across the entire spectrum of breast cancer. “I’ve committed my career to working on behalf of mission-driven organizations and it’s an honor to join BCRF at this critical moment when research is advancing at unprecedented rates. I’m humbled and eager to do my part in helping accelerate progress on behalf of all those impacted by breast cancer,’ said McKay.

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About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation 

Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Research is the key to stopping it in its tracks. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. We invest in the best minds in science—from those investigating prevention to metastasis—and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration. Our approach accelerates the entire field and moves us closer to the answers we urgently need. We can’t stop now. Join us in fueling the world’s most promising research. With you, we will bring the end of breast cancer into focus. Learn more and get involved at BCRF.org. 

BCRF is proud to have once again been selected as a charity partner for the TCS New York City Marathon. This year’s race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 3, and BCRF has 30 charity entries. We are honored to have Team BCRF runners participate in this monumental race to support breast cancer research.

For those interested in applying to be on Team BCRF in the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, please fill out this application form and take note of the conditions below.

Each participant is required to raise a minimum of $3,000 for BCRF and pay their race entry fee. We will provide each runner with a Team BCRF shirt, additional swag, and one-on-one support to help with their fundraising leading up to the race.

All applications must be received by April 21, 2024 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The names of selected runners will be announced no later than April 30, 2024.

For any additional questions, please email Christine Ward at cward@bcrf.org.

New York, NY – Sept 30, 2022 – The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) announced its $52.7 million commitment to fund breast cancer research in 2022-23, supporting 255 scientists at leading academic and medical institutions across 14 countries. BCRF-funded research spans the entire spectrum of the disease—from studying the most basic biology of a cancer cell to developing innovative treatments and improving quality of life.

“Research is advancing at unprecedented rates, and BCRF is uniquely positioned to further accelerate progress,” said BCRF President & CEO Myra Biblowit. “Our investigators—among the best minds in science—are poised to herald targeted therapies, precision prevention, and an era of more equitable outcomes. We remain tremendously grateful for our dedicated donors, partners, supporters, and volunteers who, each year, ensure lifesaving breakthroughs.”

“We have reached a critical inflection point as a global community,” said BCRF Chief Scientific Officer Dorraya El-Ashry, PhD. “Even as we’ve made significant, lifesaving strides in understanding and treating breast cancer, it is still the leading cause of cancer incidence and cancer death in women around the world. We must reduce breast cancer incidence by tackling prevention with the same personalized approach that has led to dramatic declines in breast cancer deaths here in the U.S. At BCRF, we are cultivating a community of scientists to lead the charge on both fronts—curing and preventing breast cancer.”

Learn more about our research projects by tuning in to BCRF’s official podcast, Investigating Breast Cancer, available on all platforms, for one-on-one interviews with the world’s leading breast cancer experts. And keep up with the latest developments in breast cancer research on BCRF’s blog, The Progress Report.

BCRF funds a diverse array of researchers working across the entire spectrum of breast cancer, including in the following major focus areas:

BCRF REMAINS COMMITTED TO ENSURING EQUITABLE PROGRESS

While deaths from breast cancer have declined by 43 percent over the last 30 years, the same has not held true across all U.S. populations. Most alarmingly, Black women are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women—a gap that increased from 40 percent last year and stands to further widen as a result of screening delays during the pandemic. We are committed to addressing disparities by taking a multi-pronged approach to studying root causes of this inequity. A few key approaches include:

• Understanding the genetic components and biology of breast cancer in Black women, such as the increased likelihood that Black women are more likely to have BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, as well as other inherited susceptibility genes, which could inform screening and prevention decisions.
• Finding targeted treatments for triple-negative breast cancer, a form of the disease for which there are few targeted therapies and that disproportionately impacts young Black women.
• Identifying how social determinants of health coalesce to impact breast cancer outcomes—factors such as limited access to affordable, high-quality healthcare and other resources, can, in turn, lead to increased incidence of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity; and how the biology of these conditions influences breast cancer risk and worsens outcomes.

This October marks the 30th Anniversary of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign, founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1992. The Estée Lauder Companies is our leading corporate partner and recipient of this year’s Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award. We are proud to share that The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, will donate $15 million to BCRF—the largest corporate donation in BCRF history—to fund innovative research addressing breast cancer disparities. The gift ($3 million per year, for five years) will further our shared goal of reducing breast cancer disparities and improving outcomes by addressing the complex questions regarding how multiple biological and social factors combine to influence breast cancer risk and outcomes for Black women. Learn more here.

BCRF IS THE LARGEST PRIVATE FUNDER OF METASTATIC RESEARCH WORLDWIDE

Each year, BCRF significantly invests in research for metastatic breast cancer (MBC), which comprises approximately 41 percent of BCRF’s research portfolio, funding 84 projects this year alone. Studies include those to understand the basic biology of how a breast cancer cell spreads throughout the body, discover biomarkers that can predict which cancers are most likely to spread, and develop new therapies to treat and prevent metastasis.

BCRF’s AURORA projects, supported by the Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund, is the largest international effort dedicated exclusively to MBC research. Preliminary results from the most comprehensive molecular analysis of metastatic breast cancer have revealed changes in molecular subtypes, genomic landscape, and the immune microenvironment in metastatic tumors compared to matched primary tumors.

STUDYING THE ROOT OF ALL CANCER CELLS

Research in tumor biology is the foundation of nearly all breast cancer research and makes up more than half of BCRF’s research grants portfolio, totaling 147 projects studying cancer initiation genes and pathways, tumor growth drivers, and biomarkers. BCRF’s sustained support of research into the fundamental biology of cancer underpins the strides we’ve made in precision medicine and targeted therapies.

UNDERSTANDING INHERITED RISK OF CANCER

BCRF continues to invest in research studying genetic ancestry, family history, and more to better predict risk, with 49 projects funded this year. Studies go beyond the well-known breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1and BRCA2, to understand the impact of lesser-known genes (i.e., PALB2, CHEK2, and ATM) as well as investigating how common gene mutations that alone are non-pathogenic but when combined influence inherited breast cancer risk. In addition, BCRF researchers are identifying prevention and screening strategies for individuals at high risk.

HIGHLIGHTING LIFESTYLE AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Breast cancer has become the most common cancer in the world, surpassing lung cancer for the first time in 2020. The only way to reduce breast cancer incidence is to prevent the disease from taking root. BCRF is funding 39 projects to advance our understanding of risk factors. Researchers are investigating how factors such as obesity and environmental exposures may impact risk, while searching for lifestyle intervention strategies to reduce risk and prevent breast cancer. In its fourth year, BCRF’s Precision Prevention Initiative aims to accelerate personalized approaches for risk assessment that will identify those at greatest risk of breast cancer. Projects include applications of machine learning for precise interpretation of screening mammograms, artificial intelligence to identify markers of risk for breast cancer and characterizing premalignant lesions to identify those with a high likelihood of becoming invasive, aggressive disease.

SEARCHING FOR THE MOST EFFECTIVE, TREATMENTS

BCRF investigators are leading the field in the search for new therapeutic strategies for breast cancer. Nearly 138 BCRF projects seek to improve existing therapies and advance new ones. In the last year, BCRF’s Drug Research Collaborative launched several exciting studies exploring ways to improve response to CDK4/6 inhibitors in metastatic estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer, including studies to identify mechanisms of resistance, explore the anti-tumor and pro-immune effects of these agents, and reveal genetic mediators that diminish the effectiveness of this class of therapies.

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE DURING AND AFTER BREAST CANCER TREATMENT

There are more than 4 million people in the U.S. with a history of breast cancer with an estimated 168,000 people living with metastatic disease. BCRF is funding 33 projects seeking answers to the variety of physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges faced during and after treatment, so that patients are not only living longer, but are able to live full and productive lives.

In 1992, Evelyn H. Lauder co-created the Pink Ribbon and launched The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign (the Campaign), inspiring a global movement around its mission to help create a breast cancer–free world for all. One year later, she founded BCRF, a non-profit organization solely dedicated to advancing the world’s most promising research to eradicate breast cancer. Today, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) is BCRF’s leading corporate partner. The Campaign remains steadfast in driving real progress to help find a cure for this disease.

Propelled by ELC’s support, BCRF is now the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. Through collective efforts of employees, consumers, and partners, the Campaign supports more than 60 organizations worldwide. Together, The Breast Cancer Campaign and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation (ELCCF) have funded more than $108 million for lifesaving global research, education, and medical services—with more than $86 million funding medical research grants through BCRF.

We are also proud to share that ELCCF will donate $15 million to BCRF—the single largest corporate donation in BCRF history—to accelerate innovative research addressing breast cancer disparities. The gift ($3 million per year for five years) will further our shared goal of reducing breast cancer disparities and improving outcomes by addressing complex questions regarding how multiple biological and social factors coalesce to influence breast cancer risk and outcomes for Black women. 

This groundbreaking support comes as The Campaign honors the 30th anniversary of its continued commitment to help end breast cancer for all. Over that time, breast cancer awareness and education in the U.S. and other countries have drastically risen—empowering women to take control of their health. Importantly, U.S. breast cancer mortality has declined by 42 percent over the last 30 years.

But this progress has not been experienced equally across all populations, including right here in the U.S. At every age, Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than any other race or ethnic group, and mortality remains 41 percent higher than in white women. The Campaign and BCRF have been working toward a more equitable future for breast cancer outcomes for years, and ELCCF’s new commitment will undoubtedly accelerate our shared vision.

In recognition of ELC’s positive social impact and unwavering dedication to a world without breast cancer, we’re honored to present The Company with BCRF’s Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award at our Annual Symposium and Awards Luncheon in New York City on October 27.

ELC’s commitment to breast cancer research, spanning three decades, has been transformative. Together, fueling research across the entire spectrum of the disease—from tumor biology, lifestyle and genetics, survivorship, treatment, and metastasis—we have made an indelible mark in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer.

Oct 26, 2022 (New York, NY)—The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) announced the launch of its Global Data Hub, an innovative, centralized collection of breast cancer research data that will dramatically expedite new studies and amplify the impact of all BCRF investments.

No single data point, or even database, will be the end of breast cancer. The power of data is in the aggregate—when results from several genetic, molecular, and clinical studies are combined to make scientific conclusions. Big data takes this one step further: By amassing large datasets and coupling them with artificial intelligence, researchers can pursue ideas they never could have explored in isolation.

Yet, research often yields mountains of data that are underutilized, and discoveries are hiding in this untapped information. As a visionary leader in breast cancer research, BCRF stands to revolutionize the field once again.

In the current research environment, scientists access breast cancer data by navigating disparate databases. Genetic tests, tissue biobanks, electronic health records, and molecular data are all spread across multiple sites. Many datasets are difficult to find, and those that are accessible are not breast cancer–specific. Data access and sharing methodologies for breast cancer research are in desperate need of a user experience upgrade to maximize their true potential.

BCRF—long a convener by design—is uniquely poised to launch the first Global Data Hub dedicated to breast cancer research. The Foundation’s unparalleled global network of leading researchers, deep experience coordinating international research consortia, and existing partnership with the University of Pittsburgh—a leader in supercomputing—is the ideal collection of expertise to build this centralized hub. This modern, cloud-based research portal will facilitate “one-stop shopping” for laboratory- and patient-derived data in the field.

“Data sharing and interconnectivity are desperately needed in research, and the BCRF Global Data Hub will, for the first time, provide the infrastructure and community to make it happen in the field of breast cancer. This hub is the next step in our longstanding commitment to innovation and fostering collaboration, and will break down barriers.,” said BCRF Chief Scientific Officer Dorraya El-Ashry, PhD. “We aren’t just propelling research forward—we’re paving a new future for science.”

BCRF’s Approach to Collaboration and Innovation in Data Sharing

The BCRF Global Data Hub will include all relevant BCRF-supported datasets from its investigators around the world, and this integration will begin in 2022. In the outyears, data will be invited from and made available to the wider breast cancer community to ultimately impact all breast cancer research.

“Our tiered approach to launch will ensure sustainable growth of the Hub,” said BCRF Scientific Director Judy Garber, MD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “By enabling more than 250 of the world’s best breast cancer scientists to access and potentially upload data, the impact of each research project—and the BCRF investment in that project—will move beyond a single endeavor and rapidly enable broad expansion of its impact on scientific discovery. When access further extends to all breast cancer researchers, the possibilities will be endless.”

One of BCRF’s biggest datasets to date is the world’s largest repository of matched primary and metastatic tumor data, collected by the AURORA projects to illuminate the metastatic process. Based in Europe and the U.S., AURORA is supported by BCRF’s Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund for Metastatic Breast Cancer Research. Ensuring that the world’s leading minds in breast cancer have access to this data, through the Global Data Hub, will be vital to advancing our understanding of metastasis. 

“When we launched AURORA, we were so hopeful about its potential,” said Adrian Lee, PhD, professor of pharmacology and chemical biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and director of the Institute for Precision Medicine at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “Now, 10 years later, our initial hopes seem so modest; the Global Data Hub holds the promise to radically augment the impact of each patient’s contribution to this study.”

A Ready-Made Partnership: BCRF and the University of Pittsburgh

The computing power behind the BCRF Global Data Hub lies with Chief Research Informatics Officer Jonathan Silverstein, MD, and his team at the Pitt School of Medicine.

“We’ve been developing this model with great success over the years, and we’re excited to see how the Data Hub will revolutionize the resources available to breast cancer scientists,” said Dr. Silverstein.

Dr. Silverstein and his team at Pitt are pioneers in data coordination and sharing—with vast experience coupling clinical and biological repositories with cutting-edge high-performance computing. The team already manages the AURORA US data, and as a partner for the BCRF Data Hub, they will design and manage the Hub’s overall technical approach and coordinate data security to ensure the highest regulatory and data privacy standards.

BCRF Founding Scientific Director Larry Norton, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, shared his thoughts on the sheer potential of the Data Hub. “Looking at the heavenly bodies in the night sky all the ancients could do was wonder. Modern astronomy started with that wonder, but it was the collection of massive amounts of data and its organization in libraries that allowed the great scientists of yesteryear to solve the mysteries of physics. We are now embarking on a similar journey, gathering biologic data and making it usable to the great scientists of today so that we may, finally, solve the mysteries of cancer.”

Visit the Global Data Hub.

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About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Research is the key to stopping it in its tracks. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. We invest in the best minds in science—and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration—to examine every aspect of the disease from prevention to metastasis. Our approach accelerates the entire field and moves us closer to the answers we urgently need. We can’t stop now. Join us in fueling the world’s most promising research. With you, we will be the end of breast cancer. Learn more and get involved at BCRF.org.

About the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

As one of the nation’s leading academic centers for biomedical research, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine integrates advanced technology with basic science across a broad range of disciplines in a continuous quest to harness the power of new knowledge and improve the human condition. Driven mainly by the School of Medicine and its affiliates, Pitt has ranked among the top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1998. In rankings released by the National Science Foundation, Pitt is in the upper echelon of all American universities in total federal science and engineering research and development support.

Likewise, the School of Medicine is equally committed to advancing the quality and strength of its medical and graduate education programs, for which it is recognized as an innovative leader, and to training highly skilled, compassionate clinicians and creative scientists well-equipped to engage in world-class research. The School of Medicine is the academic partner of UPMC, which has collaborated with the University to raise the standard of medical excellence in Pittsburgh and to position health care as a driving force behind the region’s economy. For more information about the School of Medicine, see medschool.pitt.edu.

When a researcher completes their training and transitions to an independent faculty position, they must juggle equipping and staffing a new laboratory, performing experiments, recruiting junior members of their team, and acquiring funding—all with the ever-looming pressure to prove themselves scientifically in a relatively short time frame. For physician-scientists, one of their biggest hurdles is carving out protected time to perform research while also caring for patients.

It is a trying time, and for those who successfully navigate being an early-career investigator, the hard work is not over. Mid-career researchers are often trapped in funding limbo: They are no longer eligible for early-career funding opportunities, but the larger grants are regularly given to more senior scientists.

While BCRF’s annual grants program supports investigators who are proven, established leaders in the breast cancer field, we are committed to ensuring the continuity of that intellectual pool by also helping to build tomorrow’s leaders. BCRF partners with the nation’s leading cancer research societies to support the development of early- and mid-career investigators. The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) help BCRF identify up-and-coming scientists. In turn, BCRF underwrites two- to five-year awards with these organizations to help new researchers secure their place in the breast cancer research community.

In the 2021-2022 grant year, AACR announced two new investigators who will be funded for two years through the BCRF-AACR Career Development Award for Translational Breast Cancer Research. The awards were given with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Kimberley Lee, MD, MHS is based at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, and her award will be dedicated to addressing racial disparities for patients with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. She will identify barriers to successful initiation and completion of endocrine therapy among Black patients.

Joshua Saldivar, PhD of Oregon Health and Science University is working to understand how cancer stem cells, which can contribute to tumor recurrence and metastasis, emerge in breast cancer. His work will focus on the role of a protein called ATR, which could be used to help target these cells with new treatments and improve survival.

In the field of radiation oncology, this year’s ASTRO-BCRF Career Development Award to End Breast Cancer was given to Chelain Goodman, MD, PhD at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Goodman’s grant will test the use of circulating tumor cells as a surrogate biomarker to predict the effectiveness of radiation in breast cancer.

This year, BCRF and Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation recognized 20 years of partnership in training the next generation of clinical breast cancer researchers. For the first time, all four of these awards were given to diverse researchers whose work centers on cancer disparities. Read more about the grantees and their projects here.

BCRF is proud to support the next generation of breast cancer researchers.