The Breast Cancer Fund

For our climbing projects, CFAC has decided to promote and support the efforts of the "Breast Cancer Fund (BCF). The BCF was founded in 1992 and works from the knowledge that breast cancer is not simply a personal tragedy, but a public health priority that demands action from all.

The BCF organizes fundraising climbs that have ranged from Mount Shasta to Mount McKinley. Be sure to visit their site to learn more about the Breast Cancer Fund's upcoming events.

Find our valuable partner on the Internet at: http://www.breastcancerfund.org.

The Breast Cancer Epidemic (from the BCF web site)

Breast cancer now strikes more women in the world than any other type of cancer. There are 1,050,346 women worldwide currently fighting breast cancer, and 372,969 women will die from the disease this year.

In the past 50 years, the lifetime risk of breast cancer has nearly tripled in the United States. In the 1940's, a woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer was 1 in 22. In the year 2003, the risk is 1 in 8.

In 2003, an estimated 211,300 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected in the United States. An estimated 40,000 will die from breast cancer in this year alone. In addition to invasive breast cancer, 55,700 new cases of in situ breast cancer (cancer that has not invaded surrounding tissue) are expected to occur during 2003. Approximately, 85 percent of these cases will be ductal carcinoma in situ.

For more information on breast cancer, visit http://www.breastcancerfund.org.

A Personal Connection

CFAC's vision in promoting cancer awareness through its climbs and public events shares the BCF's enthusiasm, spirit and common goal. It is in the fusion of climbing and cancer awareness that inspires CFAC to join the BCF in its fight against breast cancer.

In the Fall of 2003, a very close family member to CFAC was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has undergone a double mastectomy and is currently receiving chemotherapy. It was a natural choice for CFAC to promote the BCF because of this current personal experience with breast cancer.

CFAC will also promote prostate cancer awareness as Robert Chang's father was diagnosed with cancer of the prostate in January of 2004 and is currently undergoing treatment.