Washington, DC – Today, the White House honors National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) President Fran Visco with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian award in the United States.
“As a breast cancer survivor, [Visco] turned pain into purpose, changed the landscape of breast cancer advocacy, and has become a powerful symbol of hope for the nation,” the White House said in a statement.
A lifelong activist and more than 30-year breast cancer survivor, Visco has led the nonprofit NBCC since its founding in 1991, working tirelessly to end breast cancer and save lives through the power of action and advocacy.
Under Visco’s leadership, NBCC advocacy sparked the launch of the National Action Plan on Breast Cancer and the passage of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, ensuring uninsured women and women with low incomes have access to treatment, not just screening. She served on President’s Cancer Panel and National Cancer Policy Board.
Visco chairs the Integration Panel of the Department of Defense peer-reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program (DOD BCRP), a program launched in response to NBCC advocacy. To date, DOD BCRP has invested nearly $4.4 billion in new federal funding to innovative breast cancer research.
Visco is the visionary behind NBCC’s Artemis Project, a collaboration of advocates and scientists working together to answer questions vital to ending breast cancer. This work includes a preventative vaccine, on track for Phase I clinical trials in summer 2025.
“I am honored to receive this award and grateful to the White House for acknowledging NBCC’s work to change systems, support research and evidence-based care, and educate and empower breast cancer advocates,” said Visco. “That work will continue until we end this disease.”
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About the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC): NBCC is a collaboration of activists, survivors, researchers, policymakers, grassroots groups and national organizations that have come together as disruptive innovators for social change. We link hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals from across the country into a dynamic, diverse coalition giving breast cancer a meaningful voice in Washington, DC, and state capitals; in laboratories and health care institutions; and in local communities everywhere. To learn more and join the movement, visit stopbreastcancer.org
A self-described ‘Philly girl’ talks about winning the nation’s second highest civilian honor (Philadelphia Inquirer; January 9, 2025)
Presidential Citizens Medal recipient, honored for pioneering work in breast cancer, says she’s still a ‘Philly girl’ (KYW Newsradio; January 5, 2025)
Philadelphia breast cancer survivor Fran Visco awarded Presidential Citizens Medal (CBS News; January 3, 2025)
Philly breast-cancer fighter Fran Visco is among those honored with the Presidential Citizens Medal (Philadelphia Inquirer; January 2, 2025)
Credit: The White House
