Do you want to make a difference in the lives of people who have been impacted by breast cancer? Would you like to connect with others who are passionate about breast cancer education?
If you answered “YES” to one of these questions, please consider volunteering with the Breast Cancer Education Association! Since 2001, our organization has been educating the community by providing support and information about detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
As a grassroots organization, we rely on our amazing volunteers and supporters. Even if you have just a few hours, there are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to fit every schedule and skill set.
If you’re ready — raise your hand now and tell us what you are interested in!
BCEA Co-Founders Leadership Award: Nadia Janson
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We are thrilled to present the 2024 BCEA Co-Founders Leadership Award to a volunteer who exemplifies the strong leadership that helps BCEA thrive and succeed — Nadia Janson. Nadia's dedication, passion, and fearless leadership have been instrumental in guiding BCEA through times of change. Despite often staying "behind-the-scenes," Nadia has consistently stepped up to lead, serving as President, Board Member, and Volunteer Coordinator. Her enthusiasm and commitment inspire us all to do more and make a difference. Thank you, Nadia, for your extraordinary service and leadership.
Outstanding Support and Outreach Award: Dr. David Haynes
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Since its founding 24 years ago, BCEA has recognized individuals and groups for their outstanding support and outreach to the breast cancer community. This year, we honor Dr. David Haynes from the University of Minnesota. As an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Health Informatics, Dr. Haynes advances our knowledge of health and cancer disparities through spatial analysis. In the community, he is known for his work with the Breast Cancer Champions, using geomapping to strategically allocate resources. His dedication to equity and innovation is unparalleled, and we are privileged to honor him today.
Annette Lamers Making a Difference Award: The Breast Cancer Champions
We are proud to present the 2024 Annette Lamers Making a Difference Award to the Breast Cancer Champions. Established in 2013, the Champions have been a beacon of support, providing mobile mammography and community education. Collaborating with various organizations, they have screened hundreds of women and trained community peer educators. With continuous funding and support, the Champions have significantly increased enrollment of black women into breast cancer screening programs. We commend the Champions for their outstanding contributions and passion. Congratulations to Ethel Livingstone, Thelma Dukuly, Luella Williams, Carolyn Best, Sandra Brown, Natasha Hollowell, Denita Ngwu, Fowzia Abdullahi, Kris Farr, Qamar Baashane, Fatima Mohamed, Dr. Ora Hokes - Community Liaison, Benita Robinson - SAGE Liaison and Gay Lynn Richards - Coordinator.
Kelsey J. MacGibbon Emerging Healthcare Professional Scholarship
In its second year, the Kelsey J. MacGibbon Emerging Healthcare Professional Scholarship honors Kelsey's remarkable contributions to BCEA. This $1,000 scholarship supports educational expenses for aspiring healthcare professionals. This year, we are delighted to award the scholarship to two outstanding individuals:
Gustavo Galarraga: An MPH student at the University of Minnesota, Gustavo brings invaluable experience from working at an oncology hospital in Ecuador. He is part of a brigade offering free cancer screenings to low-income women. Gustavo aspires to develop programs that provide new opportunities for accessing health services.
Adrian Niu: A PhD student in health informatics, Adrian is developing an AI-powered chatbot for the Department of Veterans Affairs to support veterans with cancer. His goal is to bridge the gap in access to quality care and information, ensuring equitable healthcare for all.
The award was presented by her parents, John and Diane MacGibbon.
