Breast Cancer Research Foundation Of Alabama

About the BCRFA

In December 1995, the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center introduced two people who had a shared experience with breast cancer. Dolly O’Neal, an 18-month breast cancer survivor, was one of those people. The other was Bruce Sokol, whose wife D. D. was undergoing breast cancer treatment at the time. Both shared an energy and desire to do something to fight this disease.

Norman Berk and Charlie Baker (both have wives that are breast cancer survivors) soon joined the fight and formed what is now, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. Thirteen weeks later, the Foundation hosted its first event, the Drive-Out Breast Cancer LPGA Pro-Am Golf Tournament, raising more than $75,000.

By donating its proceeds to the UAB CCC, the Foundation allows funds to remain in Alabama. The Foundation has provided funding for cutting-edge equipment and experimental therapies for the Tade Thuston Breast Cancer Research Lab, and also established the D.D. Sokol Lab, in memory of D.D. who lost her courageous battle with breast cancer in May 2000. The Foundation takes great pride in knowing the money it raises is used to discover tomorrow’s therapies today.

The Foundation board and its volunteers, many of whom are breast cancer survivors themselves have galvanized their resources in the ongoing effort to find a cure, which can be achieved through your support.

Our Mission: “To help find a cure for breast cancer by funding promising Breast Cancer Research and to motivate community awareness and funding for that research.”

2009-2010 Board of Directors Breast Cancer Research Foundation of AL

Pictured from L to R (seated)
Jean Thompson, Kate Kiefer, Dianne Mooney, Jason Harpe and Donna Clark

Pictured from L to R (standing)
Cindy Owen, Dolly O’Neal, Carol Myers, Carol Sue Nelson, Cathy Friedman, Dale McIntyre, Dr. Violeta Caceres, Kate Darden, Rosalind Griffin, Melinda Mathews, and Dr. Sharon Spencer

Not pictured:
Kimberly Mitchell, Dr. Andres Forero, Vikki Grodner, Susan Hughes, Denise Killebrew, Dr. Helen Krontiras-Anderson, Keli Lynch-Wright, Alan Register, Mary Steiner and Mary Welden

Director’s Emeritus Not pictured:
Charles Baker, Susie Denson, Betsy Printz, Bruce Sokol and Marion Walker

2010 Board of Directors Roster

BCRFA Officers

Dianne Mooney – Founder
Southern Living At HOME (retired)
President, BCRFA

Kate Kiefer - Associate Marketing Director
Southern Living
Vice President, BCRFA

Donna Clark – Comptroller
Russo Corporation
Treasurer, BCRFA

Kimberly F. Mitchell - Director of Account Services
Med Management, LLC
Secretary, BCRFA

BCRFA Board of Directors

Dr. Violeta B. Caceres - Optometrist

Kate DeWitt Darden - President
The Darden Group

Dr. Andres Forero - Associate Professor, Hematology/Oncology
Director, Clinical Studies Shared Facility
UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Kirklin Clinic

Cathy O. Friedman - CITY AD SPECIALTIES
A Division of City Paper Co.

Rosalind Griffin - Land Supervisor/Corporate Real Estate
Alabama Power

Vikki Grodner - Chief Marketing Officer
Sirote & Permutt

Jason Harpe - Partner
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLCt

Susan Hughes - Property Manager
CLK Multi Family Management

Denise Killebrew - Attorney
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz, PC

Dr. Helen Krontiras-Anderson - Associate Professor Surgery
Co-Director UAB Breast Health Center

Keli Lynch-Wright - Senior Publisher
Apartment Finders Publication

Melinda Mathews - Attorney
Sirote & Permutt

Dale McIntyre - Broker-Owner
Realty Choice

Carol Sue Nelson Mitchell - Attorney
Maynard Cooper & Gale

Carol Myers - VP and Senior Wealth Management Advisor
Merrill Lynch