VBCF Welcomes New Staff Member & Expands to Southwest VA

Please join us in welcoming Catherine Warren, the newest team member on VBCF’s staff! Catherine came on board on July 1st as VBCF’s Senior Director of Southwest Virginia, based in Roanoke. She will extend and strengthen VBCF’s reach into this region, offering education and advocacy program services and development.

Based on the latest breast cancer data, Southwest Virginia is an area of startling need, with late-stage diagnosis trending upward at twice the rate as that of the state of Virginia. Combined with too few health care providers in the region, a higher than average poverty rate, and a high percentage of residents above age 65 as well as access to care barriers such as distance, a lack of transportation providers, limited broadband internet access, and lower health literacy, the region is one in need of breast health support.

With the recent closure of the Susan G. Komen Virginia Blue Ridge Affiliate, there was no longer a local organization offering grant funds to local health care providers to support screening, diagnostic, and treatment assistance. VBCF will expand our existing work in this region and beyond in the coming months to cover the gap left behind and strengthen our work to help ALL Virginians get the care they need regardless of where they live.

Catherine is a native of Roanoke and has 15+ years of nonprofit development and management experience. Prior to this position, she was the Executive Director of the Virginia Blue Ridge Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for 7 years. She has also held positions with the Jefferson College of Health Sciences and the National MS Society. Catherine has a B.S. in Business Administration from Washington and Lee University and a Certificate in Professional Leadership from the Batten Leadership Institute at Hollins University. In her free time, she enjoys being with her husband, 2 little girls, and 2 dogs. VBCF is pleased to welcome her to our team and excited to offer a strengthened hands-on approach to Southwest Virginia.

VBCF IN THE NEWS: Breast cancer organization expands into Southwest Virginia, filling gaps left by Komen

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