Breast Cancer Alliance, one of the most respected and influential breast cancer organizations in the United States, announced the 2024 recipients of its grants supporting innovative research, breast surgery fellowships and education and outreach, all to help improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer. Since its founding, BCA has awarded nearly $36 million in grants across the United States..
“Breast Cancer Alliance’s core mission is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detection, treatment and cure,” said Yonni Wattenmaker, executive director, Breast Cancer Alliance. “The 2024 grant recipients have shown remarkable dedication to, and investments in, early-stage research, the training of exceptional breast surgeons, and the removal of barriers of access to education and care for underserved patients.”
BCA is driven to change the course of breast cancer through its three pronged, highly-focused mission: Provide research grants focused solely on funding pre-clinical research that drives breakthrough treatments; award fellowships for breast oncology surgeons who improve outcomes; support the underserved in the region surrounding its headquarters with screening services, as early diagnoses make a significant and positive impact on survival rates and outcomes.
“We are so incredibly grateful to the individuals, organizations and corporations who believe in our mission and have provided us with the financial support that make these grants possible,” said Karen Colella, president, BCA Board of Directors. “As a small, private foundation, BCA holds itself to the highest standards with sourcing and distributing its funding. We are proud to have received and maintained GuideStar’s Platinum rating and Charity Navigator’s Four Star Charity rating, making us one the highest-rated nonprofits associated with breast cancer research and treatment.”
BCA’s 2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS:
Young Investor Grant Recipients
This grant is meant for those at an early stage in their research career to help provide seed funding for the research required to apply for larger, longer term grants, often with the NIH.
Igor Bado, PhD, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, Deciphering mechanisms and impact of miRNAome alterations in bone metastasis.
Steven Corsello, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, Exploiting FOXA1 synthesis lethality to treat breast cancer.
Andrew Davis, MD, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, Improving outcomes with Traztuzamab Deruxtecan through innovative phase 1 trial with neratinib/biomarker analysis, Supported by Jane and Stuart Weitzman in memory of Irma Wallin
Sarah Olsen, PhD, Harvard University, Boston, MA, Mechanistic and functional characterization of DOTIL and Menin-ML chromatin complexes in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer.
Polina Vaitsenfeld, PhD, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, Immune modulation of tumor microenvironment in breast cancer by targeting CD40 with immune checkpoints/tumor antigens.
Emma Watson, PhD, University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, Aneuploidy associated metabolic vulnerabilities in breast cancer, Deborah G. Black Memorial Research Grant
Exceptional Project Grant Recipients
This award recognizes creative, unique and innovative research by clinical doctors and research scientists at institutions throughout the contiguous United States.
Pooja Advani, PhD, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, Targeting de novo lipogenesis to enhance immunotherapy in triple negative breast cancer.
Andrew Elia, PhD, Harvard University, Boston, MA, Targeting DNA replication defects in homologous recombination-deficient breast cancer.
Thordur Oskarssun, PhD, Moffit Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, Targeting novel mediators of chemotherapy resistance in dormant breast cancer.
Breast Surgery Fellowship Recipients
These fellowships are awarded to Society of Surgical Oncology-accredited institutions located in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Solange Bayard, MD, MS, New York, NY, Gabelli Family Foundation Fellowship
Mt. Sinai, Erika King, MD, New York, NY, Supported by Kubtec
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Larissa M. Pamen, MD, New Brunswick, NJ, Rodkin Family Breast Surgery Fellowship
Yale University, Sarah K. Merkel, MD, New Haven, CT, Gary and Stacia Smith Grant
Screening and Support Services Grant Recipients
The grants are awarded to providers that provide patient navigation or conduct screening and diagnostic breast cancer services for the underserved, including mammograms, biopsies, ultrasounds and MRIs.
Cancer Support Community of NY and CT at Gilda’s Club, White Plains, NY
Cancer Support Team, Purchase, NY
Danbury Hospital/New Milford Hospital, New Milford, CT, Paula L. Banwell Memorial Grant
Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich
Hartford Hospital, Hartford
Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain
Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center, Middletown
Norma F. Pfriem Breast Cancer Center/Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, Mitchell Family
Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk
Open Door Family Medical Center, Port Chester, NY
Stamford Hospital, Stamford
St. Vincent’s Hospital, Bridgeport
White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY
More information about these grants and BCA’s can be found at https://breastcanceralliance.org/what-we-fund
