About Us

Our mission is to end breast cancer through the power of action and advocacy.

Founded in 1991, the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) is a collaboration of activists, survivors, researchers, policy-makers, 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 that gives breast cancer a meaningful voice in Washington, D.C., and state capitals; in laboratories and health care institutions; and in local communities everywhere.

From securing billions in funding to expanded health care access, NBCC is dedicated to real progress.

NBCC increases federal funding for breast cancer research through the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP), monitors how research funds are spent, expands access to quality health care for all and ensures that trained advocates influence all decision making that affects breast cancer. We lead collaborations of scientists and other stakeholders in research strategies to end breast cancer.

Our activism has generated more than 4 billion new dollars for breast cancer research. Our research initiatives and advocacy have helped bring about new models of research.

NBCC: A History of Revolutionizing the Breast Cancer Community

NBCC has been revolutionizing breast cancer since it was formed in 1991 to address the critical need for a coalition of breast cancer organizations to work together and end breast cancer through action and advocacy. This was a revolutionary vision at the time, and NBCC’s track record of success demonstrates the effectiveness of this strategy. Our bold, determined and strategic advocacy has changed the breast cancer landscape, and NBCC continues to shape crucial breast cancer public policy and research.

We use collective power to secure change and end breast cancer.

Our vision and advocacy led to the first-ever system of access to care for thousands of low-income women with breast and cervical cancer. And we’ve trained thousands of advocates who challenge the status quo and demand more wherever breast cancer decisions are made—from hospital boardrooms to Capitol Hill to research laboratories.

When we work together, every dollar we raise works harder. Every lesson we learn spreads faster. Every breakthrough we make goes further. And every effort brings us closer to our goal of knowing how to end breast cancer.

We invite all those who share our passion for the cause to join us as we push ourselves to:

  • Ask the tough questions.
  • Challenge scientists.
  • Tell the truth.
  • Lobby for research funding and access to care.
  • Push for what will save lives.

We have separated ourselves with our mission to end breast cancer through our:

  • Determination to make the disease a priority for our government
  • Sense of urgency and courage to ask hard questions
  • Thoughtfulness as we reject popular thinking
  • Integrity to stand up and challenge the status quo

We are forging new paths to meet the biggest challenges in ending breast cancer.

We are determined to end this disease and are committed to overcoming whatever barriers are in the way. So when people say, “This is impossible”—and they will say it—we say, “Bring it on!” We are up to the challenge.

To achieve our mission, NBCC is guided by three primary goals:

  • Research: Promote research into the cause of, and optimal preventive and treatment interventions for, breast cancer through increased federal funding, fostering of innovation and collaborative approaches and improved accountability.
  • Access: Improve access to quality breast cancer care for all women and men, from appropriate screening policies through diagnosis, treatment and care—particularly for the underserved and uninsured—through legislation and change in systems of delivery of health care.
  • Influence: Educate and empower women and men as advocates, increasing the involvement and influence of those living with breast cancer and other breast cancer activists wherever and whenever breast cancer decisions are made.

Meeting our goals will take our greatest efforts and will require a focus on the administration, U.S. Congress, research institutions and consumer advocates on breast cancer.

*To conduct lobbying and educational efforts, NBCC is composed of two organizational arms: The National Breast Cancer Coalition is a 501(c)(4) corporation whose purpose is to lobby Congress and the states for improved public policies to move toward the eradication of breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund is a 501(c)(3) corporation that supports the educational efforts of NBCC and advocates through activities that address administrative agencies, scientists and health care professionals. Together, the two arms of NBCC issue a call to action by offering diverse and substantive activities, programs, training and events designed to educate and empower individuals to fight effectively to end this disease.