Breast Cancer Angels was founded in 2000
as a 501 (c) 3 to financially assist
women (and men) in treatment for breast
cancer. We started with 6 women sending
in $20 a month and we now have close to
400 “Angels” who send in from $20 a
month to several hundred dollars a
month. We have several fundraising
events a year and other individuals and
groups have fundraisers for us. We are a
volunteer organization. A corporate
sponsor pays our overhead. 100% of
all other donations go back out to women
in treatment.
We are currently assisting 70 women in 4
counties. There are over 50 children in
these families.
Since 2000 we have put over $950,000
back into the community. We are on track
to do over $250,000 in financial
assistance again in 2007.
In 2006 we were recognized on a national
level for making a difference in the
lives of women with breast cancer. See
our websitewww.breastcancerangels.org.
FOOD PROGRAM
Breast Cancer Angels provides Gift Cards
to the market of the clients choice,
dollar amount depends on family size and
need. Average is $250.00 per month. We
average $16,000 per month for these
needs.
HOUSING NEEDS
Breast Cancer Angels assists with
emergency housing costs. We will pay the
security deposit and first months rent
to assist women who have become homeless
due to breast cancer treatment. We are
the only group that assists (up to $500
a month) with housing for women in
treatment for long term metastatic
breast cancer.
CLOTHES AND OTHER NEEDS
Breast Cancer Angels also provides Gift
Cards to Wal-Mart or Target for the
needs of children in the home. We do
this throughout the year with more spent
in the fall for back to school clothes
and shoes, etc. and at Christmas for
toys and other gifts. We spend over
$12,000 a year on these items.
MEDICAL CO-PAYS & COBRA COSTS
We provide this aid as needed. We do not
want to see women lose their insurance
in the middle of treatment or not be
able to get their prescriptions filled.
HOME HEALTH CARE & FINAL EXPENSE
We will pay for short term home health
care when a client moves onto hospice
and needs home health care. We have also
assisted with final expenses.
SECOND OPINION FUND
Jerry & Patti Walsh established a Second
Opinion Fund with us, in memory of their
daughter, Dayna. We have assisted
several women in getting a second
opinion.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In 2006 we had a special Scholarship
Fund drive. We were able to financially
assist 5 young people, whose lives were
changed by their mother’s breast cancer,
go to college. Three of these young
people lost their mothers to breast
cancer in 2006, and two have mothers who
continue in treatment due to metastatic
breast cancer.
HOLIDAY PARTY FOR CLIENTS
Each year we have a Christmas Party for
our clients and their families. The
party is at Boomer’s in Fountain Valley.
All of the families attending go home
with a trunk full of gifts. We have our
Santa & Mrs. Claus (see
www.clausforacause.com) come
and pass out gifts to all the children,
and the moms get to visit with each
other and work on a Christmas craft. All
of the kids get wristbands and tokens so
they can have fun and just be kids. In
2006 we had over 160 people participate.
SOCIAL WORKER
Breast Cancer Angels has a paid social
worker (Kathy McCaleb) who helps our
clients find other resources and she
will make home visits to assess client
needs.
EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS
Breast Cancer Angels has begun to have
social brunches where our clients can
come and meet some of our Angels who
have volunteered to help in any way they
can. Sometimes it is as simple as
starting a friendship and calling them
on the phone to say hi, driving them to
an appointment or praying for them.
Our mission at Breast Cancer Angels is
“To complete the circle of care”. For
each client that might mean something
different.
We desperately need more “Angels”.
Please call or email me if you would
like more information.
