Breast Cancer Family Foundation

The Breast Cancer Family Foundation (BCFF) was incorporated in 1999 as a 501(c)3 non-profit in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  With an initial focus on women facing breast cancer and their families or caregivers, the BCFF has developed into the primary resource for providing education on cancer awareness and prevention to the youth and families of Northeastern Wisconsin.  In 2007, Dr. Lora Warner from Planning and Evaluation Associates conducted a community study which confirmed Breast Cancer Family Foundation is the only provider of school-based educational programs on cancer - “a distinct area of strength for the Breast Cancer Family Foundation and a strong contribution to the community”.

Since September 2001 the Breast Cancer Family Foundation has presented educational programs to over 60,000 students in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. In addition, we reach thousands of adults each year through presentations at local businesses, civic groups as well as numerous other community organizations.  Our educational programs discuss all forms of cancer, emphasizing awareness, early detection methods, and healthy lifestyle behaviors.  Students learn healthy habits (nutrition, exercise, detection, etc.) they can adopt now to help reduce their risk of developing cancer later in life.

The Breast Cancer Family foundation’s mission is to “Inspire people in our community to lead cancer-free healthy lifestyles”.  This is achieved by providing cancer awareness and prevention presentations on all types of cancer to local schools, businesses, and community groups. 

The Foundation’s target audience is teens age 15-18 (typically the freshman health class).  At this age, teens are beginning to accept responsibility for more of their lifestyle decision making (i.e. what to eat, whether to exercise, etc.).  Presentations stress that the lifestyle choices made today can help decrease the chances of getting cancer later in life. Programs feature information on all types of cancer - early detection, treatment, prevention, risk reduction, and healthy lifestyle habits. Our presentations give them the information they need to make informed choices on healthy lifestyle behaviors which can impact their ability to decrease their chances of developing cancer later in life.

Students in Wisconsin are required to have only one semester of health during their four years of high school.  Unfortunately, because of time constraints, little time is allotted to cancer and the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle.  In addition, the continuous advances in technology/treatments make it difficult for teachers to keep current on the latest cancer information.  Breast Cancer Family Foundation helps to fill this gap with presentations that provide the latest information.