2024 has been a stellar year for The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation! At the time of this writing, we have been fortunate in supporting forty-four women in nineteen states who are battling breast cancer. This amounts to almost $315,000 in grants given since the beginning of the year. With more requests pending, the dollar amount given will only increase.

Thank You to our sponsors, supporters, and donors for enabling us to make this happen. We could not do it without your support and we are very grateful. You are a part of the care team for these strong women and they thank you.

Breast cancer survivors, champions all, continue to be a younger group of women. More than one-half the grants given this year went to women in their 30’s. This trend of diagnoses at a younger age is occurring in all forms of cancer. Several of the young grant recipients learned they had breast cancer while they were pregnant, thus requiring careful consideration as to what is right for the mom and the baby. Others learned their diagnosis within months of delivering their babies. In all cases, each of these young women faced the challenge with trepidation, yet still a positive attitude. They had a child to raise. Others, receiving their diagnosis prior to having children, have chosen to use their grants to freeze their eggs or their embryos, hopeful that when their journey is complete, they can have a family.

This younger group of survivors are more inclined to be open about their journey with breast cancer and share information and support with each other. Many of the grant recipients this year learned about the foundation from other young survivors. In so doing, they became wonderful ambassadors for the foundation spreading their message of support across the country.

But in life, there also come loss. This year we lost a determined and strong survivor. I met Tracy almost 10 years ago and was struck by her presence. I felt a responsibility to be completely honest in my conversation with her as she was being straightforward with me. I still remember her dark hair. She battled cancer in that same head on and determined way, never giving up. Her husband called her his “Princess Warrior”. The last time we communicated, a new drug was going to take that dark hair. She did not want pity, which is true of most survivors. Although Tracy is no longer with us, she left a legacy. Rather than flowers or donations to her place of worship, she asked that remembrance donations be made to the Foundation. Her positive spirit lives on as she continues to help others.

Thank you to all who continue to support the Foundation. You help us in our goal to be an important member of a survivor’s care team.

Happy Holidays to all and a prosperous, healthy, and Happy New Year.

B. Jane Barea
President