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Four ways you can help fight breast cancer and make a real difference.
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Join us to Walk Across Southeastern CT on October 3, 2009. Challenge yourself to walk the distance. Challenge your friends to join you. Choose the signature marathon or the new half marathon or quarter marathon.
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TBBCF depends on volunteers to support overall Foundation business and administration, as well as the Walk Across Southeastern CT. If you are interested in a rewarding experience contact tbbcf@sbcglobal.net.
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Contribute to TBBCF to support a walker, honor someone special or remember a loved one. Your gift will fund research to find a cure with 100% of gross fundraising dollars directed to breast cancer research.
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Participate in the 2009 sponsorship program by providing a monetary investment to underwrite Foundation expenses or providing an in-kind donation of goods or services. TBBCF relies on sponsors to help us meet our promise of directing 100% of gross fundraising dollars to research.
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Spread the word. Introduce your friends and family to TBBCF, a local group making a real difference in funding breast cancer research. Whether you walk, volunteer, sponsor, or donate, tell your friends and family
to join your cause.
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It Just Keeps Getting Better
To complement the signature 26.2-mile marathon, the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF) introduces a quarter marathon and half marathon to the 2009 Walk Across Southeastern CT. Starting at Saybrook Point and ending at Camp Harkness in Waterford, the walk will be held Saturday, October 3, 2009.
TBBCF strives to improve the Walk Across Southeastern CT by listening to participants and evaluating the success of the event. By eliminating the relay options and implementing the quarter and half marathons, the intent is to simplify the event but still provide variety to continue to increase participation in the walk and ultimately raise more funds for research.
The 2009 Walk Across Southeastern CT
- A quarter marathon (6.55 miles). Each participant must raise at least $200.
- A half marathon (13.1 miles). Each participant must raise at least $250.
- A marathon (26.2 miles). Each participant must raise at least $500.
As a Walk Across Southeastern CT participant you will not only get fit or stay fit, but you will unify for a common cause and purpose while you raise critical funds for breast cancer research. TBBCF supports your efforts by providing resources to help you succeed including training schedules, organized volunteer-led group walks, walker orientations and fundraising support.
So challenge yourself to walk the distance. Challenge your friends and family to join you. There's an option for everyone to participate. Register today for the 2009 Walk Across Southeastern CT on Saturday, October 3.
Walking can make a difference in your life and the life of someone fighting breast cancer. Join us in the fight. Remember every penny raised by Walk Across Southeastern CT participants is directed to TBBCF and breast cancer research!
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Message from the President
by Howard Brensilver
It's hard to believe that TBBCF is three years old. It began with a vision by Norma Logan who, although battling stage four breast cancer, was able to see beyond her own mortality. It was her desire that resulted in the formation of this unique organization that directs 100% of fundraising to breast cancer research. And so Norma's vision has been our mantra.
In these first three years, we have accomplished a great deal. Our signature event, the Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut, has been remarkable. We have had increases each year in the number of walkers and dollars raised. Thank you to the walkers who make the commitment, raise the donations and have what we hope to be a life changing experience walking. Our sponsors and donors have been wonderful. They have supported our mission with generosity. We are grateful to them. As a result, TBBCF has provided $1.1 million to many promising researchers at major medical centers.
This wonderful achievement is due in large part to the efforts of a committed group of volunteers. Not only does TBBCF have a Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Committee, it also has a group called Foundation Leaders. These leaders have taken on the task of making "things happen." It is their efforts along with many additional volunteers that drive our success.
This year promises to be even better. With the addition of the half marathon and quarter marathon, we hope to have more walkers and continue to increase annual donations. We anticipate many repeat walkers to join us again this year and expect to attract many new participants. So whether you plan to walk for the first time or the fourth time, convince your friends, relatives and coworkers to join you.
This year marks a transition for the organization. For the past three years, we have been blessed to have our co-founder and first president, Sandy Maniscalco, assume the role of Executive Director. Sandy has done a remarkable job always keeping our mission first and foremost. She has worked tirelessly with a dedication like no other. This year, she is "retiring" as Executive Director, but will remain a member of the Board of Directors and Foundation Leaders. With much appreciation and admiration, we thank Sandy.
I am pleased to announce that our search committee has found our new Executive Director. Lynda McCrea is a Waterford native, who after living in Massachusetts, returned to the Mystic area with her husband and two sons. She has extensive non-profit experience. Prior to starting with TBBCF, she was the Executive Director of Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality (MASH), an organization providing shelter and assistance to local needy families. Lynda has a strong commitment to our mission. I look forward to her leadership and know she will continue to grow all the great things we have so far accomplished.
I hope to see all of you on October 3rd!
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An Update from the Scientific Advisory Committee
by John LaMattina
Through the efforts of dozens of volunteers and hundreds of walkers, TBBCF has raised over $1.1 million over the past three years. These funds have gone to supporting breast cancer research both in terms of understanding the fundamental cause of this dreaded disease and also trying to provide better care by improving upon existing medications and treatments. TBBCF has sought to fund research at the top institutions in the Northeast focusing on young scientists with exciting cutting edge ideas.
One of the first scientists funded in 2006 was Dr. Erica Mayer of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Mayer is studying a class of agents known as angiogenesis inhibitors such as Avastin and Sutent. These agents act by preventing tumors from growing blood vessels and in doing so result in the destruction of the tumor as it cannot get the nutrients it needs to sustain its existence. However, angiogenesis agents also cause adverse cardiovascular side effects, such as severe blood pressure elevation, which impact a cancer patient's long-term survival. With the financial support of the TBBCF, Dr. Mayer was able to develop the methodology to test her hypothesis as to why antiangiogenesis agents cause these adverse effects and she has been able to begin clinical trials in breast cancer patients to see if her theories are correct. If successful, her work will enable the development of treatment paradigms to help cancer patients benefit from this important class of drugs without experiencing severe side effects.
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The work of another 2006 grant recipient, Dr. Jongjoo Lee at The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, is equally compelling. Dr. Lee is using his support from the TBBCF to study the potential to activate a cancer patient's immune system to attack the cancer.
Simply put, he is synthesizing exploiting tumor-associated antigens to induce an appreciable immune response leading to the formation of antibodies in the patient that will selectively target and eradicate circulating cancer cells. Dr. Lee has now synthesized these potential vaccines and, in fact, has filed patents around this exciting discovery. In preclinical studies, these vaccines are giving promising results and it is hoped that one of these will be sufficiently potent to advance into clinical trials against breast cancer.
Dr. Samit Chatterjee is a molecular biologist at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories and a 2006 funded scientist. He is trying to prevent breast cancer progression by blocking the migration and metastasis of cancer cells. His approach focuses on understanding which genes are fundamental to this process. With the grant from the TBBCF, he has been able to:
- narrow down the genes that are most likely to be key in cancer cell migration;
- develop fluorescent assays that help to quantify cancer cell migration;
- develop a novel cell culture which mimics breast cancer tissue thereby facilitating the genetic components necessary for cancer cell invasion of the breast;
- uncover a previously unknown mechanistic link between a gene that causes cells to grow uncontrollably and a gene that enables cancer cell invasion - a hallmark of advanced breast cancer.
Dr. Chatterjee is now studying these findings in mice with the hope that by manipulating these genes in animals he can provide further support for his early findings.
Dr. Hanna Irie has completed the first year of TBBCF funded breast cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In this relatively brief period of time, she has discovered a gene which appears to play a role in the survival of tumors. Scientists have endeavored to understand why tumor cells resist death processes that are triggered in normal cells. Dr. Irie has found that a gene called PTK6 acts as a "protector" for tumor cells and lowering levels of this gene decreases tumor cell survival. She is now studying her hypotheses using mouse tumor models to demonstrate the relevance of her ideas in an in vivo system.
These are but four scientists that TBBCF has been able to support. Although the research being funded is at an early stage, these are among the most exciting research ideas that are now being pursued in the search for a cure.
Please click here to view a complete list of those funded.
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Introducing Another Impressive Group of Researchers
The Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF) is pleased to announce that this past year in 2008, the Foundation raised $400,000 allowing it to extend four $100,000 research grants to four promising individuals; Shannon T. Bailey, Ph.D. from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Carl Uli Bialucha, Ph.D. from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Ozgur Kutuk, M.D., Ph.D. from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Qing Zhang, Ph.D. from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To date, TBBCF has directed $1.1 million to 11 breast cancer researchers.
The 2008 grant recipients were selected from a group of 17 exceptional candidates. Selections were based on scientific quality of proposals, benefits to breast cancer research and contribution to the good and betterment of the Foundation.
- Shannon T. Bailey, Ph.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dr. Bailey's current research focuses on how the estrogen receptor influences the cell death process.
- Carl Uli Bialucha, Ph.D., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Dr. Bialucha's current project centers on discovering and validating novel breast cancer genes that his group believes will point towards novel therapeutic targets or serve as prognostic indicators in the clinic.
- Ozgur Kutuk, M.D., Ph.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Resistance to chemotherapy is a major problem in the fight against breast cancer. Dr. Kutuk's current research involves exploring the pathways of cell death activated by chemotherapeutics in breast cancer cells and the regulation of these pathways by Bcl-2 proteins.
- Qing Zhang, Ph.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dr. Zhang's research focuses on understanding how mutation of tumor suppressors causes cancer. His focus is on EglN2, one important player of von Hippel Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor pathway.
Congratulations to the outstanding grant recipients!
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Thank You to our 2008 Supporters
Sponsors play a critical role in helping to achieve the goals of TBBCF by providing financial support to cover administrative costs and event expenses. In addition, many individuals and organizations support us with donations of goods and services to help off-set expenses. Numerous individuals and groups also host fundraising events and special promotions on our behalf and direct proceeds to TBBCF. The success of the Foundation is dependent on the charity of all of these supporters. Thank you for continuing to invest in our mission.
2008 Donations
A Time for You
AK Dasher
Attawan Beach Association
BJ's Wholesale Club
Barraza
Big Y
Bob's Furniture
Café Routier
Coca-Cola of Southeastern NE
Coffee's Country Market
Comina
CVS Pharmacy
DATTCO
David E. Moskow, DMD
Deep River Snacks
Elegance Nails
Emerson & Cook Book Company
Essex Television Group
Everlastings
Fat Betty
Foodworks
Garde Arts Center
Garden Specialties
James Harris Music
Jonathan Edwards Winery
Karen Cummins
Laura Fitzpatrick Nager
Lee Elci Morning Show on 104.7 WXLM
Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale
Linda Wainright
Lowe Carting and Recycling
M/M Robb Linde
Marylin Dunphy
Mermaid's Cove
Mohegan Sun
Morning Glories Floral Design & Pottery
Mystical Toys
Nyman Jewelers
Old Saybrook Police Department
Oska
Pasta Vita
Penny Lane Pub
Pentangle
Pier One Imports
PIKME
Puritan & Genesta Natural Foods
RA Georgetti
Riverwalk
Rob Rivers the Salon and Spa
Sally Budds
Saybrook Country Barn
Scott's Orchard Farm Market
Shear Madness
Shoreline Healing Arts
Silver Lining
Simply Majestic
Stash's Café
Susan Tracey
Take the Cake
The Mixed Bag
Threads
You've Got To Be Beading
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2008 Fundraisers
| Feb 5 | Connecticut College Women Basketball "Think Pink" Game |
| Mar 15 | "Ski for a Cure" at Mt. Sundown, organized by Old Saybrook High School senior Michelle Ruth and generating $1000 for TBBCF |
| May-Nov | PIKME Pink Cherry Tree Collection directed 30% of sales to TBBCF |
| May 18 | TBBCF Bake Sale at St. John's Church in Old Saybrook |
| May 23 | "Walk to Cure Cancer" at Old Saybrook High School, organized by seniors Mary Sirico and Stephanie Turi and raising $4000 for TBBCF |
| Jun 3 | Fox Hopyard Ladies Invitational Golf Tournament |
| Jun 19 | Fashion Show and Auction at Old Lyme Congregational Church, presented by Lyme-Old Lyme High School senior Anneke Sharp |
| Jul 9 | Black Hall Country Club Ladies Golf Tournament |
| Jul 12 | Sailfest Fireworks Party at Blu-Prints Unlimited Inc. |
| Jul 24 | Old Lyme Country Club Ladies Golf Tournament |
| Sep 20 & 27 | Scrap Pink at the Scrapbook Clubhouse in Westbrook generating $1000 for TBBCF |
| Sep 25-28 | Girls Night: The Musical, Garde Arts Center in New London, sponsored by Blu-Prints Unlimited |
| Sep 29 | Old Saybrook Middle School School "Finding Solutions To Cancer as We Find Solutions in Math" with 200 student walkers raising $10,000 for TBBCF |
| Oct 07-08 | The Bowerbird of Old Lyme gift-wrap program generating over $5300 for TBBCF |
| Oct 08 | No. Haven Women Volleyball Team and Community Fundraiser raising over $2600 for TBBCF |
| Oct 11 | East Lyme Middle School "Finding Solutions To Cancer as We Find Solutions in Math" with 415 student walkers raising over $40,000 for TBBCF |
| Oct 24 | Waterford High School DECA Club "Think Pink Day" generating over $1200 for TBBCF |
| Dec 3 | Winter Celebration & Fashion Show presented by The White Dress by the Shore, Stonington Design + Paperie and Something Blue Special Events in Clinton raising over $1400 for TBBCF |
Special Offers
- bellaPerlina of Madison, has designed a bracelet and lariat in support of breast cancer. bellaPerlina is donating 30% of sales from these pieces to TBBCF. To see these designs and to shop online visit: www.bellaperlinajewelry.com
- BJ's Wholesale Club is offering four great reasons to join or renew your membership. Get $10 off the $45 annual fee, receive an additional three months of free membership, receive a free second membership card and BJ's will donate $5 of your membership fee to TBBCF. For more information visit: www.tbbcf.org
- Lowe Carting and Recycling of New London, is renting a pink TBBCF dumpster and each time it is rented in the next year, $25 will be donated to the Foundation. To rent the pink dumpster visit: www.442lowe.com
- Deep River Snacks of Old Lyme, is a gourmet snack company donating a percentage of proceeds from the sale of its new 40% Reduced Fat Kettle Cooked Lightly Salted Kettle Chips to TBBCF. For more information visit: www.deepriversnacks.com
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2008 Walk Across Southeastern CT Sponsors
Donors
Let us not overlook the generosity of friends and family who sponsor the Walk Across Southeastern CT participants and those who contribute directly to TBBCF. Your support fuels the promising research grant recipients who are in search for a cure for breast cancer.
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2009 Sponsors
The 2009 sponsorship benefits have been bolstered to provide our partners with more value for the investment. Be a sponsor by providing a monetary investment to underwrite Foundation expenses or providing an in-kind donation of goods or services. Or collaborate with TBBCF to create a customized sponsorship. For more information on sponsorship opportunities and to see the in-kind donation wish list, visit www.tbbcf.org or contact us at tbbcf@sbcglobal.net.
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Going the Extra Mile - Meet the 27th Mile Club
| In this issue of Logan's Promise, we are pleased to introduce the 27th Mile Club featuring TBBCF supporters who have gone the extra mile. They give 100% of themselves so that TBBCF can give 100% of fundraising to breast cancer research. They have raised the bar for the rest of us. The first members of the 27th Mile Club are Jean Logan, Marcie Brensilver, Geralyn McPhail, Pat Todd, the late Deb Mullin, and Sava Insurance. |
Jean Logan, sister-in-law to our late founder, Norma Logan, is a TBBCF founding member. Jean has filled numerous roles for the organization since its inception. In 2006 and 2007, Jean participated in the Walk Across Southeastern CT and volunteered as a Walker Registration Co-Captain and as a Training Walk Leader. Jean is
also a member of the TBBCF Board of Directors and is the Accounts Receivable Manager for the Foundation, a significant year-round volunteer role.
Jean's generosity goes well beyond her volunteerism and fundraising in that she and her husband Steven are also three-time Walk Across Southeastern CT Gold Sponsors (2006, 2007, 2008). The Logan Family also provided a $5,000 start-up donation in 2006. One of Jean's goals is to help keep "Logan's Promise" the legacy of her late sister-in-law, Norma.
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Marcie Brensilver (pictured on right), is a 19-year breast cancer survivor and top fundraiser for 2006 (over $7,000), second in 2007 (over $9,000) and second in 2008 (over $9,000). In addition to being a fundraising diva, Marcie and her husband, Howie, have provided major support to the Foundation. Marcie is one of the founding members who has filled numerous roles for the organization. In 2006 and 2007 she served as Chair of the Stash's Café Band Bash. And for the past three walk seasons she has been a Training Walk Leader and Co-Chair of the Sponsor Recruitment Committee.
Marcie is well-known in Southeastern Connecticut for her community service and her volunteer efforts counseling other breast cancer survivors. She is involved in fundraising for four non-profit organizations, as well as caring for her 99-year-old friend who is a 40-plus year cancer survivor. If you have a competitive spirit, Marcie is a formidable fundraiser and tough to beat!
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In the spring of 2007, Deborah Mullin (pictured front row, far right), a Sava Insurance employee and breast cancer survivor led her company in getting involved with TBBCF and participating in the Walk Across Southeastern CT. Deb and her coworkers volunteered at Pit Stops throughout the walk. And one of Sava's owners, Donna Yother, along with her daughters, walked the marathon.
In 2008, Deb was one of the first walkers to register for the walk. But sadly, Deb's cancer came back a short time later forcing her to drop out as a walker. As her illness progressed, the women in her office became more determined to support TBBCF to honor Deb and to show their love and support for her as she was fighting for her life. Sava Insurance, as a 2008 Sponsor, had 100% company participation in the 2008 Walk as the Sava Insurance Sole Sisters.
Deb passed away on February 3, 2009. Deb's legacy will live on. Sava Insurance is more determined than ever to be involved with TBBCF and to do what they can to support TBBCF to honor the memory of Deb.
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Geralyn McPhail (pictured on left) is sister to our late founder, Norma Logan, and a two-year breast cancer survivor. Geralyn is a TBBCF founding member who has filled numerous roles for the organization. In 2006 and 2007, Geralyn participated in the Walk Across Southeastern CT and volunteered as a Co-Captain for Pit Stops and as a Training Walk Leader. In 2008, she served on the Sponsor Recruitment Team and continued to be a Training Walk Leader, plus she mentored the new Pit Stop Team Captain. Geralyn is also a member of the Board Directors and is the Matching Gift Manager for the Foundation, a significant year-round volunteer role.
Geralyn spends every day working to keep "Logan's Promise" alive. Above all, we admire Geralyn's courage and dedication to keeping us true to our promise to Norma and the Foundation she started.
Patricia Todd, owner of Blu-Prints Unlimited Inc. (BPU), completed the 2007 and 2008 marathon, is a two-time Bronze Sponsor (2007, 2008), and along with her team at BPU has become an extension of the TBBCF volunteer team. Pat and BPU not only provide great ideas and cost efficient print solutions but also provide individual contributions and a personal touch.
Pat promotes the Walk Across Southeastern CT at BPU and other businesses in her network. Plus, Pat hosts a Sailfest Fireworks Party from which BPU directs proceeds to TBBCF. BPU also includes TBBCF in an annual fundraising event at the Garde Arts Center where TBBCF is invited to promote the Foundation and the walk.
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TBBCF is a nonprofit group dedicated to providing critical funding to researchers in search of a cure for breast cancer. Our pledge is to direct 100 percent of total gross fundraising dollars toward breast cancer research.
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