About Us
Our Mission
Breast Cancer Survivors is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation formed in 1998 to help people undergoing breast cancer treatment who are in need of financial assistance and support, especially financial assistance to meet their everyday needs. Although there are many sources of support for people with breast cancer, this one area has been woefully neglected. We rely on volunteers, grants, donations, and fund raising activities to support our goals, which are to.
- Assist Breast Cancer patients in need when current income and resources are insufficient to meet their basic financial necessities
- Provide interim financial safety net which serves to assist them while they are undergoing treatment or surgery
- Advocate for these Breast Cancer patients when they can benefit from referrals to other organizations which provide further types of cancer support services
Our assistance helped keep these people in their homes so that treatment could continue with as little additional stress as possible. This is crucial. Surviving breast cancer treatment is sufficiently challenging without having to worry about a roof over your head or where your next meal is going to come from, or how you are going to feed your children.
- BCS funds were spent for rent/mortgage - 100%, utilities - 30%, food - 20%, medical care - 10%, and car payment - 10% (many of our clients needed help with more than one living expense, such as rent and utilities).
- Over 90% of the women we have helped are still alive, which is an extremely high percentage given the at risk nature of the population.
Our research indicates that there are thousands of people who could utilize our services. Your help is needed if we are to fill the gap in this crucial service. Become a volunteer or board member, sponsor our activities, participate in a fund-raising event or make a donation today!
Our Board
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Heather Gilbert, Board Chair and Treasurer Heather is a two-time breast cancer survivor and a founding board member of BCS. As Board Chair, Heather is responsible for overseeing grant submissions and reporting, running the board meetings, and representing BCS in the community. She also spends many hours providing client case management, and of course, providing all financial oversight to the organization. Heather is a card-carrying member of the Lake Forest Bagels and Brew Morning Crew, and enjoys dragon boating, walking and is currently exploring a new volunteer role in pet therapy at local hospitals. |
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Anna Bell, Executive Director Anna started her involvement with BCS as a board member, and now serves as Executive Director. She became our E.D. in June 2007, and is working to increase program funding and manage the organization. Anna has much experience in non-profit managment and development, including grant writing, and has managed several small non-profits and program launches in the past. Anna and her husband live in Irvine. |
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Anne Breuer Anne is the world traveler of the BCS board. Anne develops creative ways to promote BCS in the community. In 2003, Anne co-chaired our “At the Beach” event that helped us raise over $20,000! Anne enjoys gardening and lives in Lake Forest with her husband, pooches (Puffy and Tizzy), and many kitties. |
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Jeanette Morrow, Board Member Jeannette Morrow has been a dedicated Board Member of BCS for many years, and helps by case managing clients, working at events, and helping with fundraisers. Jeannette, a breast cancer survivor herself, is actively involved with many Orange County breast cancer organizations, including Y-Me. We were proud to honor Jeannette with the Tammy Fowler Memorial Volunteer Spirit Awared in 2005 for her continued dedication to BCS. She is a hair stylist and lives in Huntington Beach with her husband. |
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Bonnie Oakden, Volunteer Services Bonnie is one of our busiest board members as Director of Volunteer Services! She is responsible for recruiting and training all of our volunteers, including our client case managers. Bonnie is a NICU nurse and lives in Lake Forest with her husband and dog, Calvin. She is an avid walker and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. |
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Margaret Pisciotti, Client Services Margaret has been on the BCS board for several years and is a breast cancer survivor. Margaret recruits and trains new case managers in addition to managing her own clients. Margaret was the recipient of the 2004 Tammy Fowler Memorial Volunteer Spirit Award, an award given to one BCS volunteer each year. Margaret lives in Santa Ana with her husband. |
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Ken Deck, Medical Advisor Ken Deck is the BCS medical advisory and board member. He joined BCS in 2005, and we are all very thankful for his dedication to our organization! Ken is a surgical oncologist at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center. He lives in south Orange County with his wife, Karen. |
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Becky Ryan, Grants Becky Ryan is our incredible, wonderful Grants Chair! Becky found BCS and got involved to help with grant writing and other activities. She coordinates all grant-writing and submission, which is a very tedious job. We love her passion for helping others (Becky also volunteers for Kids Konnected)! She lives in Aliso Viejo with her husband and daughter. |
