Making an impact with BCRF.

For the past four years, we’ve been proud to partner with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and support the incredible work they do as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year, we’re especially excited to share that we’ve reached a $100,000 donation goal in support of lifesaving breast cancer research.

BCRF funds vital research by the best and brightest minds around the world. Their work has resulted in important breakthroughs in breast cancer prevention, treatment, genetics, biology and survivorship—and we’re honored to be a small part of it. 

We sat down with BCRF’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. El-Ashry, to hear more about her work, ways to get involved, and how our $100,000 has helped to advance research over the last four years.

1. Can you tell us about your role?

As Chief Scientific Officer at BCRF, I lead the research program and identify how the Foundation’s role in scientific discoveries translates into real-word impact.

BCRF is the world’s largest private funder of breast cancer research, and I work with our Scientific Advisory Board to select the world’s best investigators to work on the most promising and urgent research needs and manage all scientific aspects of BCRF’s multi-million-dollar grant portfolio. I also serve as a breast cancer expert and spokesperson with my BCRF colleagues to underscore our impact and the necessity for research.

When it comes to scientific vision, I help to ensure our funding model enables researchers to think big, follow promising leads, and break new ground. I work with the Scientific Leadership to encourage investigators to partner with fellow researchers around the world and quickly move their ideas from the lab to the patient. 

Though I spent over 30 years in academic research studying metastatic breast cancer, the work I’m doing at BCRF allows me to have a much bigger impact on a global scale by impacting the entire field of breast cancer research as a whole. The biggest reward of my role at BCRF is in the lives saved.

2. Can you tell us how our $100,000 total donation has helped fund breast cancer research over the years?

At BCRF, we seek out the best minds in science and medicine to help us unravel the complexities of cancer, and then we provide them with the funding and freedom to pursue their greatest ideas. With support from Rothy’s, we have invested in research that’s changing how we think about cancer. Rothy’s has helped BCRF fund the game changers in breast cancer research.

BCRF-supported scientists have been involved in every major advance in breast cancer research, and their discoveries have changed the trajectory of this disease forever. With support from Rothy’s and so many others, we now know more about the origins of cancer than ever before. We are uncovering the role genetics plays in breast cancer, and why certain cancers spread or return. And we can better predict a patient’s response to treatment, as well as help patients better manage treatment side effects and toxicities.

3. What are some ways that our community can get involved?

With the entire BCRF community, we are fueling the world’s most promising research. Together, we will bring the end of breast cancer into focus. Whether you create your own fundraiser, attend a signature event or share your story, there are countless ways to get involved with BCRF and support research. Check out bcrf.org/get-involved for more information.

4. If there was one message you want to share during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, what would it be?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity for thrivers and loved ones to honor friendship and family. It’s a month for promoting breast cancer awareness and the importance of research, early detection, and prevention. It’s also a critical month to galvanize communities around the world—bringing the disease front and center to our collective attention.

But for far too many people, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also a painful reminder of the more than 44,000 U.S. women and men we will lose—almost entirely to metastatic disease—this year. It’s a call to action to fund more research to save lives and improve outcomes.

Our hearts go out to all who are affected by breast cancer. We’re proud to have reached this milestone, but we know there’s much more to be done. We believe that the small, thoughtful actions of a group of people can make a big impact—and we hope you can join us in supporting the important work that the Breast Cancer Research Foundation continues to do. If you’re able, take a look at some ways you can get involved.