Beyond the Ribbon Blog

VBCF mourns the passing of Cynthia Armstead, a dedicated and beloved member of our Hampton Roads Chapter. Cynthia’s commitment to our mission and her community was unwavering. She served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Hampton Roads Chapter for many years, beginning in 2007. Her steady leadership and tireless contributions played a vital role in…
Read more

When we say we have the best Community Partners in the Commonwealth – we are NOT exaggerating! This year, over 85 events supporting VBCF were held across the state. These events included month-long Breast Cancer Awareness promotions, walk/run events, school fundraisers, corporate initiatives, in-store promotions, golf tournaments, and community festivals. Together, our Community Partners have raised an…
Read more

That’s a wrap on another very busy October at VBCF. You may not be aware, but at VBCF “October” actually starts in August! In August, we usually see an increase in educational materials orders and presentation and resource table requests for September and October. This year, we had at least one educational event EVERY WEEK…
Read more

by Sarah Stephenson, Special Events Manager SWVA This year’s Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF) Pink 13.1 event was a little different than we planned, but thanks to the resilience of our community, it was still a great success! While the in-person event was canceled due to the extensive damages from Hurricane Helene, our dedicated participants…
Read more

VBCF’s inaugural 2024 Richmond Power of Pink Luncheon took place at The Jefferson Hotel on October 10, 2024, and was a day filled with energy, community, and enthusiasm in support of our mission. The event opened with a lively reception in the Rotunda, where attendees enjoyed seasonal pink mocktails. The luncheon followed in the Grand…
Read more

by Sarah Stephenson, Special Events Manager SWVA The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF) was thrilled to host this year’s Power of Pink Roanoke Luncheon at the beautiful Hotel Roanoke. The event was not only a wonderful opportunity to come together in support of breast cancer awareness and research but also a powerful moment of unity…
Read more

by Alma Dominguez, MSW Intern As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, it is essential to highlight not only the vibrant culture and contributions of the Hispanic community but also the health disparities that affect members of the community. A recent report from Breastcancer.org highlights recent research in breast cancer…
Read more

The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF) is proud to recognize Dr. Nadia Blanchet as the recipient of the 2024 Sherry Kohlenberg Achievement in Healthcare Award. This award is presented annually to honor a Virginian employed in the healthcare field who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to improving the lives of those affected by breast cancer. Dr.…
Read more

On September 13th, VBCF hosted our second annual Breast Health Provider Summit. We had presentations from multiple experts, educating providers, organizational partners, and advocates on a variety of hot topics related to breast cancer care.  The morning started with an icebreaker activity, where our audience got to know each other better and understand each other’s…
Read more

by Alma Dominguez, MSW Intern A recent study from JAMA Oncology has uncovered something deeply troubling that often gets overlooked: the mental health struggles of spouses who care for cancer patients. The research, based on extensive data from Danish national patient databases, shows that these caregivers face much higher risks of suicide attempts and deaths…
Read more

Are you or a loved one struggling with housing costs during or after cancer treatment? You are not alone. We understand the significant challenges that this journey can bring with it, especially when it comes to finances and staying on top of rent or mortgage, even if you are still able to keep working. Although…
Read more

We were shocked and saddened to learn of Gabriele Conn-Lewis’ recent passing. Gabriele served as a VBCF volunteer extraordinaire, beginning as a member of VBCF’s Peninsula Chapter in 2009. She was an engaging personality – thoughtful, passionate, and practical about the work she did. At the local level, she was a do-er, taking on increased activities…
Read more

VBCF supports LGBTQ+ breast cancer patients with updated resources, key insights from the ACS study, and celebrates inclusive care leaders. Join us in honoring Pride Month.

From resource fairs to volunteer projects, learn how VBCF has been actively engaging with communities across Virginia to promote breast health awareness this spring.