The BCRF 2016 Annual Report

Take a look back at the progress we’ve made over the past year.

We are proud to share our 2016 Annual Report with all of you. The report highlights the Foundation’s activities over the past year, including the work of our new grantees, the commitment of our corporate partners and the personal stories of some of our key donors.

A Letter from BCRF Leadership:

Evelyn H. Lauder established the Breast Cancer Research Foundation because she saw an urgent need for an organization exclusively dedicated to advancing research. Since then, BCRF’s global network of investigators has been deeply involved in every major breakthrough in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, metastasis and survivorship. This year alone we have awarded $57 million in grants to more than 250 scientists and clinicians at leading medical and academic institutions across 14 countries, making BCRF the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. We are tackling breast cancer on all fronts by funding research across the entire spectrum of the disease, including: 

• Uncovering the very roots of cancer by studying tumor biology 

• Understanding the role of genetic susceptibility 

• Reducing breast cancer risk through lifestyle and prevention strategies 

• Developing targeted treatments to outsmart cancer 

• Improving quality of life during and after treatment 

• Unravelling the mystery of metastasis 

With the scientific freedom provided by BCRF funding, well over half a billion dollars has fueled innovations and novel approaches to discovery. Investing in research produces tangible results—there are 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the country today. The number of deaths have dropped by 30 percent over the last 20 years. Progress is undeniable, but more needs to be done. With no known cure, more than 40,000 Americans will die this year from metastatic breast cancer. BCRF is confident that lifesaving discoveries lie in wait. Led by the vision of an esteemed board of directors comprised of trailblazers in business, media, and philanthropy, alongside a scientific advisory board with the best minds in science, we are closer than ever to fulfilling our mission: to be the end of breast cancer. 

Sincerely,

President and CEO Myra Biblowit

Co-Chairman Kinga Lampert

Co-Chairman William P. Lauder