The South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition was formed by a group of survivors concerned with the enormous social, medical and economic consequences of breast cancer.
Statistics... 98,000 men and women are living in New Jersey. In 2008 there were 45.900 new cases of breast cancer. 953 were invasive and insitu breast cancers and 4 cases were male breast cases. NJ now ranks 9th in occurrences.
The South Jersey Breast Cancer Plan of Action:
1. Provide information and education to individuals.
2. Increase public awareness through advocacy efforts lobbying for legislation.
3. Improve access to high quality breast cancer screening diagnosis, treatment and care for women in clinical trials who have this disease, through legislation and change in regulation.
4. Increase the involvement and influence of those living with breast cancer in the areas of legislation, regulatory process and all aspects of clinical designs.
Meetings
The 4th Monday of each month meetings will be held at the Virtua West Jersey Coorhees hospital on Carnie Blvd. The meeting are located in the John Young room. The time is 7pm.
Instrumental in getting the following bills passed in Congress...
Appropriations Annual Bill for FY 08 A The House and Senate Appropriations conferees approved $150 million in funding for the Department Of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. This is an increase of $10.5 million over last year 2007 appropriation.
Breast Cancer and the Enviroment- Passed 2008 This will study the possible link between breast cancer and the environment.
In 2007, President Bush signed the Reauthorization Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening which will provide for the Medicaid program to continue screening for low income or uninsured persons to be screened for those cancers.
Medicare Demonstration Program - Passed 2004 Oral anti cancer drugs will be covered in the program and Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer research program allocated $150 million for breast cancer research.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act - Passed June, 2001 Allows low income, uninsured and underinsured women Medicaid/Medicare coverage for treatment they need, once diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
Medicare Clinical Trial coverage Act - Passed 2000 Establishes a guarantee that patients who are Medicare beneficiaries are covered for routine care costs when they enroll in clinical trials.
Lobbying efforts endorsed by SJBCC
Guaranteed access to quality healthcare for all, regardless of their ability to pay. We will continue to support Environmental Issues, Genetic Discrimination Issues and continued Breast Cancer Research. We will continue to fight for existing programs that our working in our state, such as the CEED (Cancer Education and Early Detection Program)
Continuous Support for the Federal Medicaid/Medicare Program for Breast Cancer Screening & Treatment - In NJ the program is called NJ CEED. SJBCC strongly opposes breast cancer being "lumped" together in a health bill with other chronic illnesses.
Genetic Nondiscrimination Act - This would inhibit health insurers and employers from discriminating or denying coverage based on genetic information. We only endorse a bill that would include enforceable measures.
Fair Access to Clinical Trials - this would require clinical trails for serious and life threatening illnesses not only to be registered but to disseminate the outcome of the trial (good, bad or null)
The South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition is lobbying aggressively for legislation. Our mission is clear: to raise awareness of Breast Cancer through advocacy, action and change in political policy. Join us by completing our membership application - $20.00 annual membership.
Upcoming Events
Dance For A Cure
October 11, 2009
the South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition will celebrate their second annual “Dance For a Cure”. This breast cancer benefit will take place at the New Stardust Ballroom in Bellmawr, NJ. Our event will bring together members of the Tri-state business community to honor women and men who have battled
breast cancer. It will also feature showcases of semi-professional ballroom dancers, a group class for beginners and open dancing for all. Joyce Hanley, owner of the ballroom has graciously offered
the use of the ballroom and music for this special occasion. This year Victorian Charm Development have offered to participate in this prestigious event. We anticipate hosting some of the most prominent and influential companies in NJ. There will be a dinner buffet served catered by Katrina Caterers. One of the afternoon festivities will be a Silent Auction. Donations to our Silent Auction can include but are not limited to, gift certificates,
services, books, vacation homes, weekend retreats, sporting goods, craft items and any other creative contributions. Call 856-768-9028 to purchase tickets, or reserve your table now. The event is BYOB.
Annual NBCC Breast Cancer Advocacy Conference
The conference was held on May 2, 2009 to May 5, 2009. Lobby day is on May 5, 2009 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Register at www.stopbreastcancer.org or call 1-866-640-0969.
Over 600 advocates from the United States and 13 other countries attended the event. At the last conference the latest information of breast cancer research, quality care and access, and the politics of health care were discussed. The conference concludes with visits to congressional legislators.
Carolyn J Ochs Client Assistance Fund - Read her story here.
In April 2005, the SJBCC established a client assistance fund to assist people with financial needs that have incurred in relationship or arising from their breast cancer diagnosis. Since its inception we have awarded over $20,000.00 to person's for day care costs for their children, while receiving treatment, utility bills, gas cards for transportation to treatments. We do not pay for any medication or treatments. For a complete list of criteria,please call or office at 856-768-9028.
Upcoming Walks
Join us as we Make Strides Against Breast Cancer on 10/21 at Cooper River at Pennsauken, NJ and on 10/28 in Ocean City, NJ. Strides is a non-competitive 5K walk that raises awareness of breast cancer while earning money for the American Cancer Society. Nothing can compare the camaraderie that we share as we walk in honor of those members on our teams that are survivors and in memory of those we have loved and lost, such as one of our founding members, Carolyn Ochs. Remember HOPE starts with you and me!
WALK TO BENEFIT THE SOUTH JERSEY BREAST CANCER COALITION
The 8th grade class of the Berlin Community School is sponsoring a 5K (3.2 miles) walk on Mother’s Day, Sunday ,May 10th,2009 . The walk will start at 8:30am for runners and 9:00am for walkers. The school is located at Franklin Ave,Berlin,NJ The walk will begin and end at the soccer field near the school. The route will be well marked and we will stay in the developments avoiding busy roads. This is a great way to start your Mother’s Day! The walk is open to everyone so register yourself, your neighbors, your relatives and your co-workers. No pre-registration is required. You can register on site or by calling Tracy Kalberer at 856-768-2198.The cost is just $10.00 per person. Sponsor sheets are due on the day of the walk. All proceeds will go to the South Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition. The SJBCC is a registered charity ,with a 501c3 non-profit status. The Coalition protects the New Jersey communities we serve by fighting on several fronts through advocacy, service and education and providing help and hope to those in need.
Annual Membership
$20.00 payable to SJBCC. Pleases continue to support our programs and the work we do.
