The PA Breast Cancer Coalition recently awarded two $100,000 research grants to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Hillman Cancer Center. Julia Foldi, M.D., Ph.D., a medical oncologist at UPMC Hillman and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Pitt, Shandong Wu, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Radiology at Pitt and Wendie Berg, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.R., Distinguished Professor of Radiology at Magee-Womens Hospital, were presented with $100,000 grants during an event at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. To date, the PA Breast Cancer Coalition has contributed $1.5 million to UPMC cancer research.

Dr. Foldi studies behaviors of invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC), the second most common type of breast cancer. Her team will use PBCC funding to focus on determining why patients with ILC have a greater risk of late metastasis in the hopes of developing targeted therapies and possible recurrence prevention measures in the future.

Dr. Wu’s PBCC-funded research focuses on breast cancer screening techniques. In conjunction with previous PBCC research grant winner and co-principal investigator Dr. Wendie Berg, Dr. Wu studies contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM). This is a more effective modality than traditional mammography and includes injecting contrast or dye through an IV into the patient to view clearer images of the breast tissue. CEM is preferred by many patients over breast MRI; however, it produces a higher number of false positives. Drs. Wu and Berg hope to utilize artificial intelligence (A.I.) to reduce false positives in the future.  (read more on the blog!)

Next week is National Volunteer Week, but we are celebrating early! The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is grateful for youth volunteers from the Pennsylvania Chapter of Asha-Jyothi who recently visited PBCC headquarters in Lebanon to fill Friends Like Me breast cancer care packages. Asha-Jyothi, which means “ray of hope,” is an education and service organization. The PA chapter is based in Exton, Chester County.

PBCC Executive Director Jennifer Pensinger and Data and Administrative Coordinator Kate Wolf, who organizes our care package program, met with the volunteers to share more about the Coalition’s mission, programs, and services. 

The students also brought a $1,500 donation to the Coalition! Thank you, Asha-Jyothi! If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities or how to host a Friends Like Me Donation Drive, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Brittani Potts at Brittani@PABreastCancer.org or 717-769-2301.

The PBCC sends free Friends Like Me care packages to Pennsylvanians who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer and women facing stage IV metastatic breast cancer. To request a free care package, click here.

Casting for Recovery provides the opportunity for women who have been affected by breast cancer to gather in a natural setting and address quality of life and survivorship issues with other women in similar situations.

With a focus on wellness and empowerment, the 2 ½ day retreats are 100% free for participants. Retreats incorporate fly-fishing instruction and emotional support, ending with a ½ day of guided catch-and-release fly-fishing.

An Eastern PA retreat is scheduled for September 15-17th at Skytop Lodge, Skytop PA. Deadline to apply is July 4, 2024.