Ibc Network Foundation

THE IBC NETWORK FOUNDATION FUNDS INFLAMATORY BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND GIVES PROACTIVE EDUCATION.

THE IBC NETWORK FOUNDATION IS INTENSELY FOCUSED ON FUNDING HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCH ON INFLAMMATORY AND TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER. INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER IS AN ORPHANED FORM OF BREAST CANCER DUE TO ITS RARENESS AND HIGH FATALITY RATE. TYPICALLY STRIKING YOUNGER WOMEN, AT A LATE-STAGE PRESENTATION, 30% OF THE WOMEN ARE ALSO DIAGNOSED WITH TRIPLE NEGATIVE. THIS COMBINATION IS HIGHLY DIFFICULT TO TREAT SUCCESSFULLY. IN 2023, IBC FUNDED ONE ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECT FOR $70,452 AT MD ANDERSON IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION.THIS YEAR, WE OFFERED A MATCHING GRANT OF $5,000 TO MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER FOR THEIR BOOT WALK FOR THE IBC PROGRAM FOR THEIR INSTITUTION'S FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE. ADDITIONALLY, WE OFFERED A MATCHING GRANT OF $3,000 TO DANA FARBER FOR THEIR JIMMY WALK TO SUPPORT THEIR PROGRAM FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR RESEARCH. IN 2023, IBC FUNDED $78,452 FOR RESEARCH.WE RESUMED PHYSICAL MEETINGS AND HOSTED MEETUPS ALL OVER THE US. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO HOST ZOOM CALLS TWICE A MONTH TO HELP PATIENTS LIVING WITH IBC BETTER CONNECT TO THE BEST POSSIBLE RESEARCH AND CARE OPTIONS. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE CONTINUED OUR PLANNED "ULTIMATE MEETS PROGRAM. IN THE FALL OF 2023, WE HOSTED AN ULTIMATE MEETUP IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, A WEEKEND-LONG EVENT. THE EVENT WAS WELL RECEIVED. OVER 45 GUESTS ATTENDED, AND WE STARTED THE EVENT WITH A LAB TOUR OF THE MORGAN WELCH INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER RESEARCH PROGRAM AND LAB ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. OVER THE WEEKEND, WE HAD A FULL PROGRAM OF PHYSICIANS, RESEARCHERS, CAREGIVERS, AND PATIENT TESTIMONIALS UNTIL THE WRAP-UP ON SUNDAY MORNING. WE HAVE CONTINUED A PODCAST CALLED "TALK IBC," INTERVIEWING PATIENTS, RESEARCHERS, MEDICAL PERSONNEL, COUNSELORS, AND OTHERS WHO WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION TO THOSE INTERESTED IN OUR MISSION.WE ARE ESPECIALLY PROUD TO HAVE GRADUATED 20 MORE ADVOCATES VIA THE COURSE FOR THE IBC LEARNING ACADEMY. THIS COURSE WAS WRITTEN IN COOPERATION WITH MD ANDERSON'S MORGAN WELCH CLINIC FOR INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER. OUR GOAL IS TO REACH A DIVERSE TARGET AUDIENCE OF PATIENTS AND PROFESSIONALS PASSIONATE ABOUT IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THOSE AFFECTED BY IBC. TRAINED ADVOCATES WILL BE EMPOWERED TO PROMOTE THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF IBC PATIENTS BY IMPROVING ACCESS TO SPECIALTY CARE, INCREASING EDUCATION AROUND CLINICAL TRIALS, AND PARTICIPATING IN LOBBYING. ADVOCATES MAY ALSO SERVE ON DECISION-MAKING BOARDS OF LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, COMMITTEES, AND INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARDS. WE HAVE HAD OVER 70 PEOPLE COMPLETE THE COURSE. ONE OUTSTANDING EVENT OF 2023 WAS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE IBC NETWORK FOUNDATION FOUNDER, TERRY L ARNOLD, TO SERVE ON THE PANEL DISCUSSION WHEN IBC WAS PRESENTED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THE MAIN STAGE OF THE SAN ANTONIO BREAST CANCER SYMPOSIUM. THE PANEL WAS ADDED PER THE REQUEST OF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, THE FIRST TIME IN THE CONFERENCE'S 45-YEAR HISTORY.