Highmark grants $112K to breast cancer coalition

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition was awarded a $112,891 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware’s BluePrints for the Community.

The pandemic did not spare the coalition, which suffered significant financial losses due to canceled fundraisers over the past year, resulting in staff furloughs and cutbacks.

“While COVID-19 has halted many aspects of our lives, the resolve of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition has not stopped. Our commitment to supporting breast cancer survivors is stronger than ever,” said Francesca Vogel, DBCC executive director.

BluePrints for the Community, housed by the Delaware Community Foundation, has contributed more than $17 million to the community since its inception in 2007. It was established to serve Delawareans with emphasis on, but not limited to, the needs of the uninsured and underserved, and to reduce healthcare disparities in minority population and address social determinants of health.

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition recognizes that pandemic realities have unduly impacted underserved and minority communities in receiving the breast cancer screening and survivorship support they so critically need. In addition to fears of contracting COVID-19, preventative screenings and diagnosis have been delayed. Due to immunocompromised health, breast cancer survivors are facing pandemic-related job and income loss, increased concerns over untreated breast cancer growth, disrupted family lives and stress from increased isolation. To learn more about DBCC, go to debreastcancer.org.