About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama

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.

Since 1996, the BCRFA has raised and invested nearly $4 million dollars of seed money to pave the way for the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center to receive sought-after and sustaining grant dollars. These funds have been instrumental in developing the following:

• $11.5 Million Dollar Grant Pilot funding that led to the receipt and renewal of the Breast Cancer SPORE Grant (Specialized Program of Research Excellence)
• Microarray Facility Helped create the UAB CCC Microarray Facility that can determine the genetic footprint of breast cancers
• $6.4 Million Dollar Grant Pre-clinical lab testing to prepare for a $6.4 million Promise Grant from the Komen Foundation to change the prognosis and treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
• Imaging Facility Helped fund the In Vivo Imaging facility which supports Three Distinct Research Studies in breast cancer
• Talent Funds to recruit and retain world-class breast cancer researchers

 

How We Raise Money

Community support for BCRFA comes from Event Sponsorships and Attendance, Specialty License Plate #86 as well as Corporate and Individual Donations.

By donating its proceeds to the UAB CCC, the BCRFA allows funds to remain in Alabama. The Foundation takes great pride in knowing the money it raises is used to discover tomorrow's therapies today.

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."

 

2013 Board of Directors Roster

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. Since 1996, the BCRFA has raised and invested nearly $3 million dollars of seed money to pave the way for the UAB Comprehensive Cancer.

 

2013 Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama Board of Director with UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Director, Dr. Ed Partridge & Dr. Shirley Salloway-Kahn

2013 Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama Board of Directors

Pictured Back Row (L to R):
Jill Carter, Cherri Ellis, Rosalind Griffin, Dianne Mooney, Brian Grainger, Jason Harpe, E. Camper O'Neal, Dolly O'Neal, Cathy Friedman, Anne-Michelle Barnett, Emily Bates

Pictures Front Row (L to R):
Jean Thompson, Dr. Jennifer DeLosSantos, Amy Gilmore Passey, Carol Sue Nelson, Kate Darden, Carol Myers, Kate Kiefer, Kim Comer 

 

2013 Board Officers

Carol Sure Nelson, BCRFA President
Attorney, Maynard Cooper & Gale

Kate DeWitt Darden, BCRFA Vice President
Community Advocate

Jason Harpe, BCRFA Treasurer
Partner, Carr, Riggs, & Ingram, LLC

Carol Myers, BCRFA Secretary
VP and Senior Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch

 

2013 Board of Directors

Jennifer Andress - Community Advocate

Anne-Michelle Barnett - Regional Loan Administrator, Commercial Real Estate
BBVA Compass

Emily Bates - Director of Marketing
Sirote & Permutt, PC

Jill Carter - Senior IT/Network Design
AT&T 

Dr. Jennifer F. De Los Santos - Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology
The Kirklin Clinic at Acton Road

Cherri Ellis - Senior Creative Services Manager
Charter Media

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

Amy Gilmore Passey - Community Advocate

Brian Grainger - Certified Public Accountant 
Horton, Lee, Burnett, Peacock, Cleveland, & Grainger, P.C.

Rosalind Griffin - Contract Supervisor
Alabama Power

Kate Kiefer - Associate Marketing Director
Southern Living (Retired)

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

Melinda Mathews - Attorney, Sirote & Permutt

Carole Marcus Pizitz - Community Advocate

E. Camper O'Neal - Senior Financial Advisor, Vice-President
Merrill Lynch

Dr. Sharon Spencer - Professor of Radiation Oncology
UAB Radiation Oncology Chair Office

Jean C. Thompson - Community Advocate

Mary Welden - Community Advocate

 

Directors Emeritus

Charles E. Baker

Susie H. Denson - Community Advocate

Cathy O. Friedman - City Ad Specialties, A Division of City Paper Co.

Dianne Mooney - Ex Officio, Executive Director and Founder (Retired)
Southern Living at Home

Dolly A. O’Neal - BCRFA Co-Founder, Community Advocate

Betsy L. Printz - Owner
Betsy Prince, Inc., Brookwood Village

Bruce Sokol - BCRFA Co-Founder, Financial Advisor
Raymond James Financial Services

Marion F. Walker – Attorney
Law Offices of Marion Walker