IBC Awareness Day bill advances in Massachusetts

BOSTON (August 12, 2022) — A bill to establish a permanent Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Day took a major step forward with a unanimous vote of approval from the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

The bill, H. 3147, would designate a permanent day in October to recognize and promote education about inflammatory breast cancer. Rep. Sean Garballey (Arlington) has been leading the effort to advance the bill through the House. Rep. Garballey, who is also a member of the board of IBC-New England Region Inc., is working to get the bill reviewed by the Senate.

The effort was initiated by IBC-New England Region Inc. several years ago. A number of board members, providers, and women with IBC and their families have joined the effort to support the bill. The designation would not involve any cost to the state.

This designation will support and strengthen the efforts of patients, caregivers, and health care providers to educate and build awareness about this rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. Establishing a unique day to recognize IBC creates an opportunity for providers, cancer centers, and patient organizations to hold educational events for the public, women diagnosed with IBC and their families. These activities may include presenting and distributing information about IBC, services, and resources. Some groups may want to host expert speakers.

IBC is an aggressive form of breast cancer. Its symptoms are atypical and there is not generally a lump present. The cancer is virtually undetectable with standard mammography. The disease is the least understood type of breast cancer.

For more information on the IBC Awareness Day, contact Sue at 781-447-0848.

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Survivingbreastcancer.org launches monthly Zoom meetup for IBC in 2022

(December, 2021) — The nonprofit organization, survivingbreastcancer.org, is launching a monthly Zoom meeting on January 13, 2022, for women with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).

The networking/support group is free and open to anyone with a diagnosis of IBC.

The group will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (ET), and facilitated by Dr. Nancy Gaulin. The meetup will be held on the second Thursday of every month.

RSVP now for the January meeting. Each month, register online at survivingbreastcancer.org and a link will be sent to you.

Register here:

Thursday Night Thrivers IBC Meetup | SBC (survivingbreastcancer.org)

All of the online meetups organized by survivingbreastcancer.org aim to bring the community together. Join us the second Thursday of every month as we discuss inflammatory breast cancer, treatments, side effects, and gain valuable support. Our Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup is a “come as you are,” safe, and welcoming space. Our IBC meetups are peer-to-peer led by Susan Asci and professionally facilitated by Dr. Nancy Gaulin, Psy. D., MBA.

The mission of SurvivingBreastCancer.org (SBC), a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is to empower those diagnosed with breast cancer and their families from day one and beyond. SBC serves as an educational and virtual community platform- offering support from meeting patients and their families where they are on the continuum of a cancer diagnosis. SBC incorporates an integrative and collaborative approach to breast cancer, from risk reduction strategies and prevention, to treatment, survivorship, and living with a terminal diagnosis.

SBC offers a range of educational podcasts, webinars, writing workshops, blogs, and opportunities to meet and share ideas online. Their weekly e-newsletter has more than 10,000 subscribers. The site has visited by hundreds of thousands of breast cancer survivors each year since its founding in 2018.

The Zoom series is coordinated in collaboration with Susan Asci, 20-year IBC survivor and founder of the IBC Networking Group of Boston. Dr. Gaulin has facilitated this group for the past 10 years. The networking group of Boston holds face-to-face meetings quarterly in Milton and other towns around Boston.

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2021 winter: IBC networking group of Boston resumes indoor meetings

November 1, 2021 — The IBC networking group of Boston is resuming its indoor meeting schedule at the Church of Our Saviour in Milton.

If you have been diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and would like to talk with others to share information and support, contact the group coordinator and 20-year IBC survivor (Sue at 781-447-0848) about joining the schedule.

This winter we are resuming indoor meetings at the Church of Our Saviour in Milton, MA. (453 Adams Street, Milton). These meetings are Peer-led discussions.

Upcoming meetings at Church of Our Saviour will be held:

Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (canceled due to attendance)

Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

North of Boston meeting planned:

March 12, 2022, Saturday: Burlington Wegman’s second floor cafe, new time: 1-3 p.m. (53 Third Avenue, Burlington, MA)

There is no cost to attend. Interested participants need to RSVP by the Tuesday prior to the meeting so we know how many will attend. Also, if we need to reschedule the meeting due to weather and attendance, we can let you know. Please call Sue at 781-447-0848 if you wish to attend.