Category: blog

Extending Dry January? Here’s the Latest on Alcohol and Cancer

A Bold Suggestion: Should Alcohol Carry a Cancer Warning? In the past few weeks, we’ve seen some interesting headlines about alcohol. At the beginning of the year, Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recommended that alcohol start carrying a warning to people that imbibing alcohol can increase their risk of developing cancer, in addition to current…
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Advocates Brave the Cold to Champion Breast Cancer Legislation

Waiting in line for half an hour in 15-degree weather outside the General Assembly did not deter our VBCF advocates! Despite the bitter cold and a packed legislative building, nearly 30 dedicated volunteer advocates from across the Commonwealth made a significant impact during our 2025 State Breast Cancer Advocacy Day last week. Advocates traveled from…
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A portrait of Cynthia Louise Armstead, a distinguished older woman with short gray hair, wearing a black jacket and pearl jewelry. She is seated and holding a small item in her hands, with a warm and dignified expression. The background is a soft gradient of pink, purple, and blue hues. Bold text to the right reads, "IN MEMORY OF: CYNTHIA ARMSTEAD," with the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation logo, including a pink ribbon, placed below. The image conveys a sense of honor and remembrance.

In Memory of Cynthia Armstead

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…
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Together We Make a Difference: Honoring Our Community Partners

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…
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“October” Starts in August: VBCF’s Busy Breast Cancer Awareness Season

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…
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Overcoming the Storm: VBCF’s Pink 13.1 Raises Funds for Diagnostic Testing

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…
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Highlights from the Power of Pink Luncheon in Richmond

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…
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The Power of Pink in Roanoke: Raising Hope, Unity, and Funds for Virginians Facing Breast Cancer

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…
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Breast Cancer Diagnostics: Breaking Barriers for Better Care

by Dr. Priti Shah, Director of Breast Imaging for VCU Health & VBCF Board Member Fall is finally in the (cool, crisp) air.  Yellow school busses abound. Against the clear blue sky, leaves are turning vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold. Pumpkin orange is everywhere.  Yet for many, October evokes another color: pink, symbolizing…
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Understanding Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment: A Focus for Hispanic Heritage Month

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…
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