Resources

Breast cancer originates in your breast tissue. It occurs when breast cells mutate, creating a mass of tissue (a tumor). Like other cancers, breast cancer can invade and grow into the tissue surrounding your breast. It can also travel to other parts of your body and form additional tumors. When this happens, it’s called metastasis.

Learn more about breast cancer by visiting the links below:

National Comprehensive Cancer Network


Dense Breasts Canada

 

My Breast Screening

Support Services

 

There are many worthwhile agencies which exist to support people experiencing breast cancer. While Breast Cancer Canada exists to fund research across the country, there are many other organizations that provide guidance with the many practical, emotional, social and financial needs which arise.

The following is a curated list of other organizations, including Canadian organizations, as well as some American and online resources. If you notice outdated information on our site, please contact social@breastcancerprogress.ca to let us know.

Canadian Breast Cancer Network
Patient-directed organization created to voice the views and concerns of breast cancer patients through education, advocacy activities, and the promotion of information sharing. 

Canadian Breast Cancer Network – Young Women 
This resource may be of particular interest as it provides information on topics relevant to young women including coping, relationships, fertility, and practical topics such as career and financial guidance.

Young Adult Cancer Canada
Focuses on providing customized support programs to help young adults with cancer deal with their cancer experience through web-based peer support as well as in-person retreats and conferences.

after Breast Cancer
Provides financial assistance for acquiring mastectomy necessities and resources that contribute to quality of life after breast cancer.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Advocacy Canada
Website which collects and provides information on advocacy initiatives across Canada, connects advocates and strengthens their efforts, and addresses areas where MBC patients are under-served. Priority areas include clinical trial access, research spending and drug access.

Look Good Feel Better
Complimentary beauty workshops to give women the tools and techniques to feel beautiful and retain their identity and sense of self and femininity. 

National Cancer Institute
The American federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training. The site has comprehensive cancer-related educational material as well as information on current research and trials.

Breastcancer.org
Comprehensive website including a lot of educational material and articles, as well as an online community with first-person stories, a message board, and a podcast.

CaringBridge
A free, advertising-free, platform with simple tools for patients and family caregivers to share health updates, and for their communities to offer support and encouragement. Users can create a free website to stay connected to family and friends without having to inform them all individually.

FORCE
Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered improves the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers by creating awareness, supplying information and support, advocating for and supporting research. This includes cancer survivors, but also people at high risk for developing cancer. Their many varied programs include peer support via message board, toll-free helpline and in person volunteering.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s Young Women’s Initiative
Provides age-appropriate resources tailored for the unique medical and psychosocial needs of those diagnosed with breast cancer before age 45. Includes videos, news, profiles, blog, articles, and opportunity to connect with others, share resources and receive peer support through emails, text messages and a closed Facebook group. This is also an excellent resource for women with metastatic breast cancer.

Metavivor
Organization dedicated to research and awareness of metastatic breast cancer, as well as support for “METAvivors” – those living with metastatic breast cancer.

SurvivingBreastCancer.org
A community-based platform which includes community, education and resources designed to empower those affected by breast cancer as they navigate a breast cancer diagnosis. It includes, amongst other things, a podcast and survivor stories section.

Wildfire Magazine
A magazine written by, and for, young women with breast cancer. On the website, you can read a complimentary sample issue, read their blog ‘Hot Flashes’ or submit your own articles about personal experiences with breast cancer for possible publication. You can also subscribe to the magazine either or digitally or in print, and read archives of past issues as a subscriber.

Young Survival Coalition
Includes local networking groups, a vibrant online community, and a conference program dedicated exclusively to young adults with breast cancer and their caregivers.

How to

Support an Event

Make a contribution to a fundraiser being held in support of Breast Cancer Canada. You can search for the organization or person you wish to support; or click on the event name to make a general donation to the Raise More initiative of your choice.

How to

Sponsor

Thinking about becoming a corporate partner of Breast Cancer Canada? Amazing. We work with all types of organizations. We’ll help you deliver results which are measurable. National or local.

A partnership with Breast Cancer Canada is a win-win. It improves employee engagement, boosts morale, fosters a tighter culture. It raises your organization’s profile and demonstrates your support for breast cancer research. To customers. To employees. To suppliers. Most of all – it makes a positive impact for those affected directly by breast cancer.

We’ll raise money for life-saving breast cancer research, together.

Let’s talk about building your program!

Contact Charlene Politano today to get started.
Email: cpolitano@breastcancerprogress.ca
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 or 416-352-8567

To make an online corporate donation, please click here.

If you would like to explore other ways to give, we invite you to learn more.

How to

Fundraise

Join the Raise More Challenge

The more money we raise, the sooner we can end breast cancer. The more time researchers have in the lab. The more technology they can use. The more support we can get. Advancements in early detection and personalized treatment are in reach, and with your help to raise funds, we can find a cure sooner.

There are many ways to fundraise – whether you want to create a competition or tournament, fundraise with your team, challenge your colleagues, host a pink party, have a bake sale or cook-off, the idea is to raise more for breast cancer research.

Breast Cancer Canada will empower you with all the tools you need for a successful fundraiser, and if you need more information, contact Dawn Hamilton at: dhamilton@breastcancerprogress.ca  

I am a

Corporate Donor

Support life-saving breast cancer research. A corporate donation is a simple and efficient way to demonstrate your corporate support.

To make a one-time or reoccurring corporate donation online, please click here.

Learn more about

How to Sponsor

Thinking about becoming a corporate partner of Breast Cancer Canada? Amazing. work with all types of organizations. We’ll help you deliver results which are measurable. National or local.

A partnership with Breast Cancer Canada is a win-win. It improves employee engagement, boosts morale, fosters a tighter culture. It raises your organization’s profile and demonstrates your support for breast cancer research. To customers. To employees. To suppliers. Most of all – it makes a positive impact for those affected directly by breast cancer.

We’ll raise money for life-saving breast cancer research, together.

Let’s talk about building your program!

Contact Dawn Hamilton today to get started.
Email: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 

To make an online corporate donation, please click here.

I am a

Legacy Donor

Over the last 30 years, many generous donors have left a legacy to Breast Cancer Canada in efforts to advance breast cancer research.

No matter what the form of your gift, you will be remembered by your legacy which will live on through each of the lives you touch with your gift.

Learn more about

Legacy donor

Leave a legacy. Plan for a future gift.

  • Leave a gift in your will
  • Donating a life insurance policy
  • Donate a TFSA, RRSP, or RRIF

Support Breast Cancer Canada with a future gift to create a better future for breast cancer patients. Your gift helps to save lives through early detection and improve outcomes with better treatments.

or more information, please contact: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca


LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

This is often called a bequest. It’s the simplest way to make a legacy gift. A gift in your will has no effect on your current income and your estate receives a charitable donation tax receipt. Here’s a sample of simple bequest wording : “To pay the sum of $_________ OR _______% of the residue of my estate to Breast Cancer Canada.”


DONATING A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

Life insurance is a way to provide financial security for your family. If the needs of your family are already taken care of, a life insurance policy is a smart way to donate to charity including tax savings for your estate. Speak to your financial advisors for your personalized advice and learn how a gift of life insurance can work for you. Here’s the top-line on ways of leaving gifts of life insurance:


Bequeath your policy to Breast Cancer Canada for the future:

  • Name Breast Cancer Canada as the beneficiary of your policy. BCC will receive your insurance proceeds tax-free. Your estate will receive a donation receipt.


Transfer ownership of a paid-up policy to Breast Cancer Canada now:

  • Want to gift us your existing, paid-up policy right now? Make Breast Cancer Canada the beneficiary and owner of your policy. You will receive a donation receipt for the fair market value of the policy. BCC may redeem the policy now, or hold it and receive the face value in the future – however your gift can be put to best use.


Transfer ownership of a policy on which premiums are still owing to BCC now:

  • Premiums still owing? You can still opt to transfer your policy ownership to BCC. You’ll receive a donation receipt for the policy’s fair market value. Want to make it an ongoing gift? Transfer the ownership to BCC, and still continue to pay the premiums owing. You’ll receive donation receipts for those payments too.


DONATE A TFSA, RRSP, RRIF

Register a significant difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer. Donate the proceeds of a registered account: Tax-free savings account (TFSA); Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP); Registered retirement income fund (RRIF). It’s a smart way to make a major contribution. Without reducing your current assets. Without subjecting the funds to probate fees. While reducing taxes on your estate through a donation receipt.

Making a gift like this is easy. Designate Breast Cancer Canada as the beneficiary of your registered account.  You benefit from the full use of your account(s) during your lifetime. We receive any remaining funds after your passing.

For more information, contact: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca

I am a

Individual Donor

When you support Breast Cancer Canada, you are helping to improve and save lives through better treatments and early detection of breast cancer.

Learn more about

Gifting securities

Donating securities is becoming more popular, and supports Breast Cancer Canada just like cash donations. Gifts of publicly traded securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) are an easy, tax-effective way to make a contribution towards life-saving research that helps with early detection, better treatments, and ultimately  Securities can be of any size and given immediately, or you can bequeath them to Breast Cancer Canada in your will. Just like a cash donation, you’ll get a donation tax credit for your gift of securities.

Today, most securities are held electronically and are easily transferred from your brokerage account to our BCC brokerage account. Your Financial Advisor can make all the arrangements.

For more information, contact: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca

Send e-cards in memory or honour

Bravery is beautiful. That’s why we encourage you to make a donation in honour of a loved one’s own experience with breast cancer. With your donation, we’ll send a email to acknowledge the dedication to the individual or family.

Make a donation with  eCard by dedicating your donation:

Let’s get started

Corporate matching

Multiply the impact of your donation

Fact: thousands of companies will match donations made by employees.

It’s true, and it’s very generous. Want to know if your company will match your donation to BCC? Use the search tool below. It also has access to all the forms, guidelines, and instructions you need to submit a company-matchable gift donation today.

Search Tool

Monthly Giving

Support life-saving breast cancer research every month of the year.

 

When you make a monthly contribution to Breast Cancer Canada, you provide stable funding for year-round campaigning and allow us to continue to support research projects across Canada.

 

To join, simply pre-authorize a monthly deduction from your credit card.

  1. Online:  Donate Now
  2. By Phone: Sign up as a monthly donor by calling Toll Free: 1-800-567-8767
  3. By Mail


Breast Cancer Canada, National Office
415 Exmouth Street Unit # 101
Sarnia, ON N7T 8A4

You will need to provide us the credit card type, number and expiry date, and the amount you would like to give each month.

How to

Volunteer

Volunteers are Breast Cancer Canada’s most important resource, and the backbone of our organization. From helping build our PROgress research to helping breast cancer patients, to supporting events, special fundraising projects and administrative tasks, our volunteers are dedicated to making a positive, life-changing impact.

We ensure our volunteers have the best possible experience and apply the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement.

You can help us end breast cancer by:

  • Volunteering with one of our fundraising campaigns. Or a BCC signature event
  • Helping with local community events where you live
  • Joining our PROgress research at a local hub
  • Assisting us with virtual office tasks

Learn more about our volunteer driven Regional Hubs.

Regional Hubs are an integral part of Breast Canada Canada. We connect communities and those committed to our mission to make the goal local. Together, we can save lives through advancing breast cancer research, coast to coast.

Connect to learn more about what is happening in your area: volunteer@breastcancerprogress.ca