Annual Report 2016
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ANNUAL REPORT 2016 TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO LIVING BEYOND BREAST CANCER WAS FOUNDED TO SUPPORT WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER AS THEY NAVIGATED THEIR LIVES BEYOND TREATMENT. Quickly, LBBC realized women needed support and information from the moment of diagnosis and throughout their lives. LBBC began as an organization that hosted two annual conferences, one in the spring and one in the fall, to address medical, emotional and practical concerns. Attendance at conferences grew quickly because women were hungry for information, connection and support. Fast forward 25 years: The world has changed and so has LBBC. Information travels more quickly in ways we couldn’t have imagined in 1991. LBBC has adapted to the changes and now provides information in many different formats, taking advantage of technology to advance our mission. But we have stayed true to our core mission: to connect people impacted by breast cancer with trusted information and a community of support. Our two pillars, “trusted information” and “community of support,” are more critical today because it is often hard to tell what information is accurate and relevant for you. LBBC takes away the guess- work. Everything we produce is medically reviewed, and much of it relies on feedback from you, our community of friends and supporters who have been there. We make sure it is easy to find the information that is specific to your stage of disease and subtype. We also have easy ways for young women to find each other to get peer-to-peer support. You’ll learn more about all our resources as you read this annual report. I have been proud to lead LBBC since 1996 and to guide the organization through the many changes we have experienced over the last two decades. My dedicated staff, a few of whom have been with LBBC for nearly 20 years, and my conscientious and focused board of directors have helped tens of thousands of people and their loved ones move beyond those frightening words, “you have breast cancer.” We’ve given them information to help them understand their disease, and a community that is always ready to provide support. I wish our work was complete but it is not. Thank you for your generous support and for your belief in our work. I welcome the opportunity to talk to you. Please reach out to me: [email protected]. In gratitude, Jean A. Sachs, MSS, MLSP Chief Executive Officer Reflections CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SUPPORTING WOMEN impacted by breast cancer is a huge milestone. I’m very proud of the national impact of LBBC. We’ve grown from a small organization founded in Philadelphia to reaching over 500,000 people each year across the country. I CAN’T TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE without recognizing those who have worked so hard to make LBBC what it is today - a financially strong and well-managed charity. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the outgoing Board Chair, Barbara Yorke, and for Jean, her management team and the rest of the staff. MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS as board chair all have one thing in common – hearing the personal stories of those who have been touched by LBBC and learning how important and meaningful our work is on an individual level. WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER, I was lucky to have access to some of the top doctors in the country and lots of support from family, friends and coworkers. I know that not everyone has the same level of support, and even when you do, it helps to talk to people who have walked in your shoes. LBBC FILLS A UNIQUE SPACE. We provide information that is reliable, accurate and accessible. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve and lead this amazing organization. It has been an honor to work with our passionate staff, our dedicated volunteers and my fellow directors. I LOOK FORWARD TO LBBC’S FUTURE AND THE CHALLENGES AHEAD. I am particularly excited about LBBC’s prospects for bigger and bolder partnerships that will extend our reach and expand our national presence. Our best to you, Barbara J. Yorke, Chair, 2014-2016 Laura A. Kowal, Chair, 2017-2018 3 ABOUT LIVING BEYOND BREAST CANCER OUR HISTORY LBBC HAS BEEN A LEADER IN EDUCATING AND SUPPORTING WOMEN AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY BREAST CANCER FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS. When our organization was founded in Philadelphia in 1991, we initially provided information, connection and support to individuals once primary treatment ended. As the need for specialized services increased, we expanded to assist all stages of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. We address the needs of those who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, in recovery, living with a history of breast cancer or living with metastatic (stage IV) disease. We meet people where they are with information and programs that are relevant to specific diagnoses and phases of life. We also tailor content to specific and frequently underserved populations, including African-Americans, Latinas, the LGBTQ community, low- income women and women who speak languages other than English. OUR MISSION IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE with trusted breast cancer information and a community of support. IN 2016, LBBC SERVED OVER 540,000 individuals THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS. OUR VISION OUR STRATEGIC PLAN is a world where challenges us no one impacted to reach by breast cancer 1,000,000 FEELS UNINFORMED BY 2019. OR ALONE. 4 25 Years & COUNTING IN 2016, LBBC CELEBRATED OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY with new initiatives, unique events and special campaigns. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped us celebrate in style. 25TH ANNIVERSARY CIRCLE For our silver anniversary, we created a new community of donors: the 25th Anniversary Circle. This philanthropic community of individuals have made contributions to recognize LBBC’s 25 years and to fuel the organization’s next phase of growth. The response to the 25th Anniversary Circle campaign was gratifying. In just a few months, 23 individuals stepped forward and donated $270,000. Each one of them has a unique connection THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY to LBBC and was honored to be part of this group of leaders. However, our work is not over CIRCLE CAMPAIGN and we continue to seek supporters who will help us reach our goal of doubling what has been has raised raised to date. Go to page 23 of this report to view the list of 25th Anniversary Circle supporters. $270,000 TO DATE WITH YOU, FOR YOU. In 2016, we introduced the new LBBC tagline: With you, for you. This statement speaks directly to the work we do and services we provide. We want our supporters to know that we will be there with them throughout their journey and that the programs we provide are created specifically for them. AD CAMPAIGN Our 2016 ad campaign included print, radio and television ads featuring those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer sharing their stories and discussing how they benefited from LBBC’s programs and services. IN TOTAL, 375,000 people viewed the 2016 campaign We saw a 60% INCREASE IN ENGAGEMENT in the Philadelphia area after the ad campaign aired 5 AS PART OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, 97 DIY EVENTS raised over $107,000 IN SUPPORT OF OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. 25 DIY EVENTS FOR 25 YEARS As part of our year-long celebration, we encouraged individuals, groups and businesses to host events to benefit LBBC. Our goal was 25 events in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the response was overwhelmingly positive and we far exceeded that goal. THE PADDLE RALLY, our longest running annual DIY event, marked its 20th year supporting LBBC and raised over $26,600. Lesley Glenn, part of our Hear My Voice outreach volunteer program, organized the 2nd annual CLIMB FOR THE CURE at Echo Mountain in California and raised over $5,000. BARRE CODE MILWAUKEE hosted Brawlin’ Against Breast Cancer in Milwaukee, WI, raising $500. We also challenged our supporters around the country to host 25 REACH & RAISE ON THE ROAD YOGA EVENTS over one weekend in September, and they stepped up, hosting 30 events. Yoga classes were held from Alaska to Santiago, Chile, and many places in between. Whether mountain climbing or yoga, all these events raise much needed funds to support LBBC, increase awareness of LBBC’s programs and services and create connection in local communities. 6 25th ANNIVERSARY BALL LIVING BEYOND BREAST CANCER CAPPED OFF A YEAR OF CELEBRATING A QUARTER CENTURY OF MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THOSE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY BUTTERFLY BALL. The event, held on November 12 in Philadelphia, drew more than 700 attendees and surpassed our fundraising goal, raising more than $930,000 — a new record. Jennifer Simmons, MD, received our Founders Award, in recognition of her sustained commitment to furthering LBBC’s mission. Jenny Burkholder, Ayanna Z. Kalasunas* and Judy Weinstein received our Going Beyond Award, which recognizes those who have used their personal experience with breast cancer to help and to inspire others. Andi and Abe Morris received the inaugural Impact Award in recognition of their passion, sustained commitment and generosity to LBBC for more than two decades. This award will be named the Andrea and Abraham Morris Impact Award going forward, and will only be awarded to those who truly live up to their example. We offer a very special thanks to our presenting gala sponsor: THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY BUTTERFLY BALL surpassed our fundraising goal, raising more than $930,000 Inaugural Impact Award winners, Founders Award recipient Jennifer Going Beyond awardees Andi and Abe Morris Simmons, MD, with her husband Jenny Burkholder, Ayanna Z.