Karin Decker Noss
About Karin
Karin Decker Noss was a dedicated board member and past president of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. A retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Karin served in the military for over 20 years.
When she was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer in July 1995, her life changed forever. Karin quickly dedicated her life to breast cancer advocacy – working tirelessly in both the legislative and medical communities and dedicating herself to furthering knowledge of scientific issues associated with breast cancer. She wanted people to know the truth about breast cancer.
Karin began serving on the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF) in 1997 and represented VBCF on the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) Board of Directors as well as numerous committees beginning in 1998. She was a graduate of both the Project LEAD and Project LEAD Clinical Trials programs. She served as president and committee chair on the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization Board and served the Y-ME National Capital Area Affiliate in several roles, including president. Karin also served on several peer review panels for both the Department of Defense (DoD) and California Breast Cancer Research Programs and was a member of the DoD Breast Cancer Research Program Integration Panel.
Karin lost her battle with breast cancer on February 16, 2008, but many will benefit from the work that she did and the trials in which she participated.
Purpose
The Karin Decker Noss Scholarship is provided to fund training for selected participants in medical research and legislative advocacy to carry on the work that Karin Decker Noss, a dedicated board member and former VBCF president began. This scholarship program aims to encourage increased knowledge and education related to breast cancer resulting in stronger breast cancer advocacy and more involvement in VBCF’s breast cancer advocacy program.
Award
Applicants must be volunteers who live in Virginia. A reimbursable scholarship is awarded to participants for receipts of registration fees, travel (personal car mileage, coach air or train fare), and standard lodging costs to attend approved conferences and educational courses. The costs covered may change at VBCF’s discretion.
The amount of each scholarship and the total number of scholarship awards made per year will depend on the number of applicants and funds available for a given year.
Eligible Events
Introductory:
- National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) Leadership Summit
- NBCC Project LEAD Institute
- Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer conferences
- Young Survival Coalition
Advanced: Applicants must have completed NBCC Project LEAD
Other breast cancer-related educational conferences with a strong advocacy component may be approved, but the recipient must apply to VBCF for approval prior to attending.
Process
To apply for the Noss Scholarship, please contact Kirsta Millar, VBCF Policy Manager: kirsta@vbcf.org or 804-285-1200 ext. 203. She can answer any questions you may have and share the application form.
Based on available funds, rolling applications will be accepted during the calendar year on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the start date of the conference. VBCF will notify the recipient within 10 business days of the submission.
Commitment
The recipient of the Karin Decker Noss Scholarship must agree to:
- Submit a reflection or educational article related to the conference attended for VBCF’s Blog or newsletter.
- Serve as an active member of the VBCF Advocacy Task Force for at least 12 months after the award is made.
- Attend VBCF’s advocacy days in the 12 months following conference participation, when applicable.
Questions? Contact Kirsta Millar, VBCF Policy Manager: kirsta@vbcf.org or 804-285-1200 ext. 203.
