In 2025, the PA Breast Cancer Coalition will award $500,000 to five outstanding breast cancer researchers, receiving grants of $100,000 each:

• Renato Iozzo, MD, PhD - $100,000 
  Thomas Jefferson University
  Area of research: metastatic breast cancer
• Gail Matters, PhD - $100,000
  Penn State Cancer Institute
  Area of research: detection of breast cancer bone metastasis 
• Chan Shen, PhD - $100,000
  Penn State Cancer Institute
  Area of research: impact of breast density notification 
• Yiannis Verginadis, PhD - $100,000
  University of Pennsylvania
  Area of research: treatments through proton radiation therapy 
• Shandong Wu, PhD - $100,000
  University of Pittsburgh
  Area of research: utilizing A.I. to predict recurrence

Look for more information on their exciting work including behind-the-scenes lab tours and interviews below and in upcoming editions of PinkLink!

Congratulations, 2025 research grant winners!

Supporting basic research is critical to developing targeted treatments and cures for breast cancer.

Last week, the PA Breast Cancer Coalition awarded two grants of $100,000 each to Dr. Gail Matters and Dr. Chan Shen of Penn State Cancer Institute. Dr. Matters plans to use PBCC funding to advance the detection of stage IV metastatic breast cancer that has spread to the bone, and Dr. Shen will focus her efforts on the impact of breast density notification legislation, such as Pennsylvania's Breast Density Notification Act of 2013.

Thank you to PA Senator Patty Kim and PA Representative Tom Mehaffie for joining us to honor these outstanding researchers working to find a cure for breast cancer now... so our daughters don't have to.

Congratulations, Dr. Matters and Dr. Shen!

In the years leading up to her breast cancer diagnosis, Sue Quackenbush of Chester County had faced the unimaginable. She lost both of her sons tragically - her oldest son Eric in 2015 to suicide and, 10 months later, her youngest son Michael who was serving as a Marine.

As a Gold Star Mother, Sue supports and advocates for other mothers whose children have made the ultimate sacrifice, ensuring they know they are not alone. But she says alone is exactly how she felt when she first heard the news. Sue found a lump and her fears were confirmed after a visit to the breast surgeon. While her cancer was aggressive, it was found at an early stage. Sue learned that she would need a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation... and she would need to be out of work for 6 months.

PA Breast Cancer Coalition Director of Patient Advocacy Dolores Magro was able to send Sue financial resources as well as information on Pennsylvania's Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program (BCCPT) to assist while she went without insurance. She also received a free Friends Like Me care package...