Spring 2008
Contents
Raising Awareness and Growing FORCE
Setting a Hereditary Cancer Research Agenda
Differences in Breast Cancer Risk Reduction
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
(to search past issues of our newsletter)
Raising Awareness and Growing FORCE
by Barara Pfeiffer
Question: How does an organization with one paid full-time staff member and a small office in Tampa provide life-saving information to thousands of people across the U.S. every day?
Answer: Through a dedicated and fast-growing Outreach community.
Starting with four groups launched at our 2007 conference, FORCE’s Outreach network quickly expanded to 26 groups. Forty-five coordinators now direct group efforts to leverage speaking, education and media opportunities.
In the last year, members shared their journeys with 150 students at Boston University Medical School, addressed a Master’s Level Genetics Counseling class at Fox Chase Center in Philadelphia, and spoke at a Limmud Day of Learning in San Diego. Our volunteers also reached out to other non-profits, hosting tables at Komen Races for the Cure, the LBBC Conference, and Run for Her . Members’ stories were featured on radio, the web, at synagogues, and in print articles from the Jewish Journal of Broward County to the Oregonian and Women’s Day.
We started our Outreach efforts to connect families who face hereditary breast and ovarian cancer with others in their situation. These face-to-face meetings remain an important part of our efforts, even as we’ve increased our focus to include media outreach, fundraising, and advocacy. Last year, we held over 75 meetings in coffee shops, hotels, and members’ homes, welcoming new members and staying in touch with old friends.
If reaching out to help others on behalf of our mission appeals to you, come to our 2008 Conference and meet our Outreach representatives at the roundtable networking breakfast. They’re looking forward to meeting you and signing up leaders for new groups!
View a list of our current Outreach groups at www.facingourrisk.org/support . Sign up today to make sure you receive information on activities in your area. Don’t see your city or state listed? Have time to volunteer? Please send email to barbarap@facingourrisk.org or stop by the volunteer table at our conference.
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