BCRF Announces Two New Board Members

Jerome Bettis and William S. Karol join the Foundation’s esteemed board.

BCRF is proud to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors. Jerome Bettis and William S. Karol recently joined the Foundation’s esteemed board, which is co-chaired by Kinga Lampert and William P. Lauder.

Jerome Bettis is a Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame running back who serves as an ESPN NFL analyst. Affectionately nicknamed “The Bus,” Jerome was the sixth all-time leading rusher during his 13-year career.

While philanthropic work has always been a priority for Jerome, his appointment to the BCRF Board of Directors stems from his personal connection to the cause. His mother Gladys was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.

Her treatment course coincided with his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Her last round of chemotherapy took place the week before.

“She was so strong, such a trooper,” Jerome said. “I was so proud of how she handled the whole thing. That’s where my strength comes from—my mom.”

Today Gladys is in remission. Since her treatment ended, Jerome and Gladys have hosted events to raise funds and awareness about breast cancer treatment and research. As one of the newest members of the Board of Directors, he’s proud to support game-changing research to help more families like his.

“One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and if we can prevent that—help save a life—then it’s all worth it,” he said. “More knowledge means more hope, a better chance of defeating breast cancer once and for all. We can beat this thing, but not without medical research.”

William (Bill) S. Karol founded the investment firm KODA in 1989, where he still serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. Bill serves on several corporate boards, and was active in the Young Presidents’ Orgnaization Inc., holding several positions, including Chairman of the New England Chapter and chairman of multiple international events.

Bill and his wife, Sinesia, are Boston-based philanthropists who have been actively involved with BCRF for almost a decade. They have Co-Chaired the BCRF Boston Hot Pink Party since 2016 and Sinesia joined BCRF’s Advisory Board in July 2018. As a family, they are engaged with several charitable organizations and fundraising events, but breast cancer research remains a cause close to their hearts since Bill lost his first wife, Darcie, to the disease.

“Breast cancer interrupts and destroys so many women’s lives and has been devastating to my family and me. I can’t think of a better way to solve this problem than to be involved with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation,” Bill said.

Bill previously served on the Board of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) for over 14 years. During that time, he created a research fund in honor of his late wife. He continues to serve as the DFCI Co-Chair of the Men’s Collaborative to Cure Women’s Cancer and was Co-Chair of the Basic Science Visiting Committee.

“The way breast cancer is treated today is so different than it was even 10 years ago. That’s due to research that has uncovered so many breakthroughs,” Bill said. “BCRF has provided funds to some of the most important advances being used today. I look forward to helping BCRF in any way I can to achieve its mission.”