Thanks to the dedicated team at the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, significant progress is being made in the fight against the disease, and those facing a diagnosis don’t have to go it alone.

Whether it’s the small full-time staff that consistently achieves beyond its means or the many volunteers who give so freely of their own time, there’s no doubt that the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF) comprises special people dedicated to making life easier for those battling breast cancer. Their efforts are never overlooked by President/CEO Tracy Jacim, who has been with the organization for five years and is constantly inspired by what they can accomplish together.

“I always tell my team, you have to have a passion for the cause, because there’s probably easier ways to make a living,” she says. “We only have seven employees statewide on our paid staff, and an amazing volunteer base that continues to grow. We all owe it to the cause and the foundation to be passionate. You have to go above and beyond, because that’s literally the business model—folks who want to go above and beyond.”

That approach has served the FBCF well since its founding more than three decades ago in Miami. The nonprofit, which also has a second location in Central Florida at the Oviedo Mall, is a 4-Star Exceptionally Rated Charity by Charity Navigator that aims to end breast cancer through research, education and advocacy.

Its progress in the past few years alone has been quite impressive. During that time, its donations have doubled through programs like the End Breast Cancer specialty license plates in conjunction with the Florida DMV, with $25 of each purchase going to the foundation. That has allowed the FBCF to allocate $800,000 per year for innovative, scientific research grants and to increase its annual funding for education grants to $150,000, which helps support initiatives like the MASS program. It stands for Mammograms After Sunday/Spiritual Service, and it focuses on early detection in underserved and underinsured communities.

The organization has also started a Direct Services Program for patients currently in treatment that helps them to focus on their recovery without concern for other expenses. FBCF now funds $400,000 in direct service grants.

“We believe if you’re in treatment, you shouldn’t have to worry about not being able to pay your mortgage or your rent or childcare,” Jacim says. “We also fund mammograms and medical items that are often necessary but not covered by insurance. At the same time, we advocate at the legislative level and try to get those things changed; to try to get the insurance companies to make more sense and not burden folks with all of the red tape.”

Those currently in treatment, as well as survivors, can also benefit from the Live, Laugh, Learn virtual support group, which meets regularly to offer a safe haven for people to talk about their experiences. It is moderated by board member Valencia Robinson, a survivor herself, and often includes special guest speakers.

“It’s an opportunity for people to share their experiences, to cry if they need to, to laugh together, to get direction and support, and to not feel alone,” Jacim says. “I’m so warmed by the fact that we have our regulars who never miss it. It continues to grow and we’re looking to open it up to caregivers and family in the next year, because when you get a diagnosis, it impacts not just you but everyone around you as well.”

October is, of course, an important time for the FBCF since it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and two of its signature events will again be held on the same day. The Race 2 Cure, a 5K and tribute walk, is scheduled for Oct. 19 at the Oviedo Mall and will be followed by the seventh annual Pink Day of Breast Cancer Awareness.

“It’s really a fantastic day that begins at 7 a.m. and goes all the way to 3 p.m., and we invite everyone to come out,” Jacim says. “Pickups for Breast Cancer will be there with one of their big trucks for people to donate gently used clothing. You can talk to the researchers who sit on our board of directors, you can find out ways you can volunteer and help, you can meet some of the folks who sponsor us, you can get a mammogram. It’s a good way for us to give back to the folks who support us.”

Two years ago at the event, a young woman and a volunteer for the foundation named Sami Pickens was scheduled to speak, but was too weak from her ongoing chemotherapy treatments. Five months pregnant at the time, she managed to attend anyway and insisted on being pushed around the track in her wheelchair.

Pickens eventually gave birth to a beautiful girl before losing her battle with breast cancer.

“The race and the Pink Day are about camaraderie and celebration, but we’ve also had people show up who are not survivors, but who are in the middle of it and are completely lost,” Jacim says. “They break down in tears and desperately need direction. There’s a very real, somber element to what we do, too. I think it’s important to remember the responsibility that we feel—it really drives all of our decisions.

“People like Sami remind us why we’re doing this. We try to be the light for people in the darkness, but always with the understanding that this can be life and death for many folks who are coming to us, so we have to give 150%.”

Florida Breast Cancer Foundation
Oviedo
(321) 972-5534
FloridaBreastCancer.org