Check-off a donation on line 44 to the Colorado Breast and Women’s Reproductive Cancers Fund (BWRC Fund) on your 2008 Colorado Income Tax Form and help reduce mortality from breast and reproductive cancers by improving earlier detection through education and personal advocacy, and by expanding existing screening, treatment, and support programs. 

"For more information, download the BWRC Fund flyer

Why Check-off the BWRC Fund?

• Every year in Colorado, nearly 1,000 women are diagnosed with reproductive cancers and over 2,800 men and women are diagnosed with breast cancer.
• 17% of Coloradans are uninsured with many others carrying inadequate insurance coverage. 
• Breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers not only impact the men and women diagnosed but also affect their families, friends, communities, and places of work.                      

While some programs do exist to screen, treat, and support Coloradans with breast and reproductive cancers, they are insufficient.  Women must meet various age and income criteria to qualify for most assistance programs and some of the services are not available statewide.  There are no screening or treatment programs for ovarian cancer or men with breast cancer.  Education for both patients and medical providers is sorely needed because many are unaware of the services that are available. In addition, programs are needed to assist and support patients after treatment has ended. 

How Will My Donation Be Used?

Your donation will help create a competitive grant program through the Colorado Cancer Coalition in partnership with the Colorado Breast Cancer Task Force, Colorado Ovarian Cancer Project, and the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance. 

Samples of the types of grants that may be available:

• Expanded education and support throughout Colorado for survivors of ovarian, breast, cervical and uterine cancers so all patients are empowered to make educated decisions about their health care.  (This may include the creation of science-based education programs that focus on best practices and evidence-based medicine).
• Survivorshipplanning, education, networking, and program development for all these cancers
• Symptom education programs, especiallyfor ovarian cancer which is often mis-diagnosed and caught in very late stages, for both providers and consumers.
• Mobile mammography in rural areas where it no longer exists.

Nearly 800,000 Coloradans are uninsured and must rely on state and federal screening and treatment programs for breast and reproductive cancers.  Existing treatment programs are severely inadequate because many people who need these programs don’t qualify and ultimately “fall through the cracks.” 

The following populations will be addressed through the BWRC Fund grant program including:

• High risk and/or symptomatic young women under the age of 40
• Women aged 40-49 residing outside of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Denver Affiliate 12-county service area. (Komen provides funding for outreach, education, screening, treatment and treatment support to non-profit organizations in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, Park and Summit counties).
• Women between 40-64 years old (who don’t qualify for Women’s Wellness Connection programs). 
• Women with ovarian cancer symptoms or those needing treatment. (There are no programs that screen for or treat ovarian cancer). 
• Men diagnosed with breast cancer.  (About 15 men in Colorado are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.  Men are ineligible for all existing breast cancer screening or treatment programs).

What Else Can I Do?

Please help publicize the BWRC Fund by distributing the flyer.  Bring it with you to the office, email it to your friends and family, and post it on community bulletin boards.  Help spread the word and help improve the lives of many men and women! 

Although your dollars will help, the need is great and long-term solutions must be implemented by expanding screening and treatment programs to capture people who need assistance but don’t qualify for existing programs.  To get learn more or to get involved, please email coloradobwrcfund@gmail.com or contact Wendy Newman, BWRC Fund Project Director at 719-302-3758.

Top^

Colorado Cancer Coalition
c/o Colorado Foundation for Public Health and Environment
9457 South University Blvd. #513
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
303-692-2331