The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation provides hope and knowledge for those facing this deadly disease.

For the brave women and men on the front lines of the fight against breast cancer, there can be many different inspirations for joining the cause. There are those honoring their mothers, wives or sisters who succumbed to the disease. Some might be thinking about the hopes and dreams they have for their own lives, or are determined to find a cure for others.

All that Tracy Jacim has to do is glance at her 5-year-old daughter, Georgianna, and she has plenty of motivation.

“Breast cancer runs in my family,” she explains. “So I look at Georgie and I say to myself, ‘Imagine a world where I didn’t have to worry about that for her, where there were more choices and even cures so she could be healthy and live a long life.’”

The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF) is committed to making that vision a reality. Founded in 1993 by three Miami women, the organization has evolved into a statewide nonprofit focused on ending the suffering caused by breast cancer through advocacy, education and research.

The Central Florida office opened in 2018 with a strong business model: The space is generously donated by the Oviedo Mall and provides a built-in ability to do outreach and education with the public daily. It is the second office in the state, with more expected to follow.

Jacim, a former award-winning anchor and reporter at Fox 35 who worked in the television news industry for 20 years, joined this past April as the director of community empowerment for the Central Florida region.

Jacim had previous ties to the issue, having served on the board of directors for the Susan G. Komen Central Florida Affiliate for a decade. She has jumped into her new position with both feet, and her unbridled excitement is easy to recognize and contagious to those around her.

“My grandmother was a survivor, I have two cousins who are survivors and I had a great aunt who was not,” she says. “So it’s something I’ve always been passionate about. It’s interesting because as a journalist, so much of what you do is advocating, empowering and educating people to have the information they need to function in a democracy. This position is similar in the sense that it’s all about educating, empowering and advocating for people so they have the information they need to keep themselves healthy.

“The decision was a no-brainer for me. I’m using the contacts I had in the news industry and all of that passion and bringing it here. I couldn’t be happier or more impressed with this
organization.”

The mission of the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation breaks down into three main components. It advocates for patients by pushing for better laws, insurance regulation and research grants in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. It educates the general population about the importance of yearly checkups and healthy lifestyle choices. Finally, it funds scientific research devoted to finding more effective ways to diagnose, treat and cure breast cancer. FBCF also is currently accepting applications for funding for direct services like living expenses and mammograms. It’s a pilot program Jacim hopes to see expand.

To support these endeavors, the organization has a longstanding relationship with the Florida DMV and sells “End Breast Cancer” specialty license plates, as well as a partnership with a local thrift store, Pickups for Breast Cancer. Fundraising is also part of the effort, and those who donate can be assured that 100 percent of the money contributed stays in state to benefit Florida patients.

In fact, the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation recently received a perfect score from Charity Navigator, an independent organization that ranks nonprofits on their transparency and success in reaching people in need.

“We are the only breast cancer organization in the entire country to get a perfect score,” Jacim says. “We’re very proud of that. As a journalist I spent my whole life holding people accountable, so I take that seriously. It’s critical to be honest and have a good reputation … to do exactly what you promise to do.”

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the organization is currently running a social media campaign called #YourReasonWhy. People are urged to share a picture of their motivation to fight breast cancer on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, tagging the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation.

Many special events are planned throughout October and can be found at FloridaBreastCancer.org. One of those is the 2nd Annual Pink Day of Breast Cancer Awareness, to be held on Oct. 5 at the Central Florida regional office in the Oviedo Mall. The day will feature onsite experts, education, door prizes, giveaways and more.

The organization also recently joined the Orlando Sports Foundation—the team behind the Cure Bowl, a college football bowl game held every December—in hosting the Race 2 Cure 5K, a run and walk held at Fort Mellon Park in Sanford. Other corporate partners include Carrabba’s and Planet Smoothie, which will unveil a new specialty drink with FBCF in October called the Breast Berry Fairy.

Clearly, this month is an important time for the organization, but its efforts continue year-round. Jacim is confident in its ability to play a crucial role in the cause.

“I’m seeing Florida Breast Cancer Foundation growing and getting a stronger foothold in the community, and laying the groundwork to expand into other markets in the state,” she says. “That excites me, our staff and our amazing volunteers, because everyone here is 100 percent committed to helping as many people as possible.”

Florida Breast Cancer Foundation
1755 Oviedo Mall Blvd. | Oviedo
321-972-5534 | FloridaBreastCancer.org

This article originally appeared in Orlando Family Magazine’s October 2019 issue.