Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) celebrates 30 years

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. (DBCC) began in 1991 as a small group of community volunteers, led by Maureen Lauterbach, who was committed to decreasing the mortality rate of breast cancer in Delaware.

In 1997, DBCC became a 501c (3) non-profit organization to serve and empower our community by raising awareness of breast health issues through community outreach and education in order to facilitate the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

DBCC’s vision is to create a community where every person diagnosed with breast cancer is a survivor, and fear and doubt are replaced with knowledge and hope.

DBCC’s works to support breast cancer survivors and their families in Delaware by offering a variety of survivorship resources including: financial aid, personalized support, health programs, activities, and events with other breast cancer survivors to foster healing and recovery. DBCC has developed and implemented programs tailored to the unique needs of different populations, including young women with breast cancer, African-American women, Latinas, lesbians, and women with disabilities.

This year the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) is celebrating connecting and supporting breast cancer survivors, and their families in communities across Delaware for 30 years.

 

 

With offices in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties, the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s programs are designed to reach diverse communities to deliver messages that address their unique concerns about breast cancer and early detection. Recognizing the barriers of language, culture, and economics, DBCC trains community advocates, provide support to those newly diagnosed through their Peer Mentor Program, as well as works to help educate and encourage women and men to take responsibility for their health through breast health presentations and community health fairs.

DBCC partners with the State of Delaware to manage the Women’s Health Screening Program. The program focuses on navigating patients with low incomes and those with little or no insurance to receive free or reduced-cost care at screening facilities across the state of Delaware. DBCC has referred thousands of uninsured adults for free and low-cost cancer screenings and has removed barriers to cancer screenings and treatment by providing certified healthcare interpretation, transportation, and support services.

Today, DBCC remains the only organization in the State of Delaware focused solely on breast health issues as they affect the women and men who live here. DBCC also is proud to serve our neighbors in the surrounding communities in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. DBCC has grown from a handful of volunteers to its current team of 17 employees.

As a member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, represented on its board of directors, DBCC works to support the national organization’s efforts to research the causes of breast cancer and pursue optimal treatments and cures.

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