Breast Cancer Solutions

The mission of Breast Cancer Solutions (BCS) is to provide breast cancer patients with direct assistance, community referrals, and compassionate support. Our vision is a community with full access to breast cancer treatment.

The provision of direct financial assistance for living expenses and out of pocket medical costs combined with extensive support and community resource navigation mitigates significant barriers that hinder access to and completion of breast cancer treatment. Since 1998, BCS has assisted over 5,500 individuals at risk for delaying, stopping or being denied treatment.

In 1997, a woman experiencing homelessness contacted Orange County social services for help: She was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer while living in her car and could not complete the final step of her treatment, a bilateral mastectomy, because she lacked stable housing. There were no resources to provide immediate housing or financial relief; the social services team worked to secure emergency then permanent housing so she could receive treatment. More women in similar circumstances contacted the agency in need of help, so three members of the social work team, along with two community advocates, formed and founded Breast Cancer Solutions (BCS) in 1998, a safety net organization addressing financial barriers to breast cancer treatment.

Since 1998, BCS has assisted over 5,500 individuals in Southern California who may have otherwise delayed, stopped or been denied treatment due to financial barriers. Our program goal is to enable access to care for breast cancer patients facing financial hardship. Our agency is a community-based partner in the continuum of care; our clientele includes breast cancer patients who are already or become financially disadvantaged during treatment and in need of assistance accessing support resources. By partnering with complementary agencies, utilizing the unique skill sets of culturally competent and compassionate volunteers, and receiving the generous support from the community, we have maintained over 70% program ratio since inception.

Our top organizational and program needs include:

1. Corporate relationships/sponsorship for ongoing or event support.
2. New board members with diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
3. Pro-bono assistance in organizational branding/marketing (including, but not limited to online/social media presence and materials).
4. Volunteers to assist with client support services.
5. Gift cards for client financial assistance: Grocery stores (Ralphs, Trader Joes, Stater Bros., Vons); gas stations (Shell, Arco, Costco), and other stores that have markets and pharmacies (Wal-Mart, Target).

Breast Cancer Solutions serves breast cancer patients living in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. We serve 200-300 clients annually.

Since 2001, I have served Breast Cancer Solutions (BCS) as a volunteer, board member, and a staff member. It has been a true honor and a pleasure to serve our clients, work with an incredible staff and volunteer team, and work toward our vision of a community with full access to breast cancer treatment.

In 28 years of organizational growth and change, one guiding principle remains: Every client we serve has a name, a face, and a story. Our unique, combined approach of community-based navigation, financial assistance and mental health support ensures that our assistance is tailored to clients' specific needs. Our dedicated team delivers our program and services with compassion and professionalism. Over the past five years, our organization focused on program efficiency, board development, and diversification of funding. During the next five years, we will address long-term funding, succession planning, marketing and program evaluation.

The dedication of our board, compassion of our volunteers, integrity of our staff, and gratitude of our clients inspire me to continue my work on long-term sustainability, program effectiveness, and meeting the community need for our services.