Organization Overview

www.bcrf.org

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) advances the world’s most promising research to eradicate breast cancer. Founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, BCRF has raised more than $480 million to date to support stellar investigators across the globe who are conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research.  Since BCRF’s inception, talented scientists have used BCRF grants to test new concepts and pilot innovative investigations, as well as to initiate much-needed correlative science activities not eligible for industry support or federal grants. BCRF not only offers established investigators the flexibility to pursue new inquiries and complementary research activities, but it is equally dedicated to training the next generation of innovators and leaders in the field. This year, BCRF invested $45 million in the work of more than 200 researchers at leading medical institutions across six continents, to support innovative studies aimed at breast cancer prevention and cure.  BCRF’s portfolio aims to advance knowledge on cancer biology, develop novel targeted therapies to yield greater patient benefits, and create new diagnostic and prognostic tools. Its talented investigators have made landmark achievements, uncovering crucial insights into the nature of breast cancer, and improving survival and quality of life. Following Evelyn Lauder’s death in 2011, BCRF established the Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund, dedicated to a multi-year global collaborative program to understand the molecular mechanisms of metastasis, cancer’s ability to spread from the breast to other parts of the body.  The Founder’s Fund is committing more than $25 million over the next three to five years to coordinate the efforts of leading clinical and laboratory sites across North America and Europe and will identify molecular abnormalities underlying metastasis, follow individual patients to see how their metastases change over time, and undertake comprehensive analyses of the effects of treatments which target the specific abnormalities. By spending 91 cents of every dollar on research and public awareness, BCRF remains one of the nation’s most fiscally responsible charities. We are the only breast cancer organization with an “A+” from CharityWatch, and have been awarded a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator 12 times since 2002.