Coalition of Blacks Against Breast Cancer

The Coalition of Blacks Against Breast Cancer is an Arizona 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide high-quality reliable information and support to black breast cancer patients and to educate the Black community about breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and screening. Our vision is that every person of African descent who is a breast cancer survivor will have access to high-quality information, and support, and resources to assist in their breast cancer journey. Furthermore,

How We Got Started
The idea for an initiative focused on the unique circumstances Black patients face pathologically, culturally, and physically came about in early 2009. Mayo Clinic employees, Dr. Michele Halyard and Marion Kelly, were discussing the need within the Black community for high-quality information on breast cancer. They knew the medical differences, like tumor biology, coupled with cultural issues, such as a hesitation to openly discuss illness, was leading to higher mortality rates. As active members of the Phoenix Chapter of the Links, Inc., and Sigma Pi Phi, Gamma Mu Boule, Dr. Halyard and Mr. Kelly enlisted the support of the local chapters. The first outreach was an educational program in October 2009 that was attended by 100 women and men, who all agreed that more education and outreach were needed. The next meeting, consisting of about 75 leaders of the Black community, established that a formal effort should be launched. The CBBC was introduced in 2010 and since January 2011 has held annual events and monthly meetings of survivors and those interested in and affected by breast cancer.

Why Focus on Black Breast Cancer Issues?
Nationally, the survival for breast cancer in Black women lags behind other ethnics group. The CBBC is an organization dedicated specifically to targeting Black women and men with breast cancer. Our goal is to provide accurate and current information related to cancer diagnosis and treatment, or prevention and screening through this website, social channels, monthly meetings, outreach, and educational programming.