Oct. 21, 2024: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Help the National Breast Center Foundation Bust It!

Monday Morning Magic from Inkandescent® PR + Publishing Co. — It was an incredible honor to be part of the 9th annual Walk to Bust Cancer 2024 on Sunday, Oct. 20. Sponsored by the Alexandria, VA-based National Breast Center Foundation, founded by Dr. David Weintritt, “the Walk celebrates survivorship, lifts those in the battle, and honors those we’ve lost,” Executive Director Martha Carucci says.
“We are dedicated to improving the survivability of breast cancer for everyone,” Martha notes. “The Foundation works to ensure that no person goes without a mammogram and any additional diagnostic testing. All of this furthers our commitment to reducing the mortality rate of breast cancer in medically underserved populations. Participation and support helped over 200 women last year receive mammograms and testing they otherwise may not have received.”

National Breast Center Foundation Executive Director Martha Carucci
To make that possible: More than 1,200 supporters turned out at 9am to take a 1.3 mile lap around Fort Hunt Park. “A goal of this year’s event was to raise $250,000 to help underserved women have access to life-saving mammograms,” Martha shares. On the morning of the walk, a sponsor handed her a $50,000 check. “We are now close to having raised $300,000 for the Foundation — that is a milestone.”
Money and manpower is what is needed to make a difference for women, Dr. Weintritt insists.
“The National Breast Center Foundation exists to improve the lives of women by removing barriers that prevent them from getting proper screening, diagnosis, and education about breast cancer,” he says. “Northern Virginia has the highest incidence and mortality from breast cancer in the nation. Women in our region also have one of the highest rates of late-stage breast cancer. Something has to happen to address this crisis. I believe that education, access, and technology are the answers.”
While tools exist today that improve the diagnostics and treatment of breast cancer, too many women either aren’t offered these options or don’t have access to the places they are provided, he adds.

National Breast Center Foundation founder Dr. David Weintritt
“In my experience, roughly 80% of even affluent, educated women in our area never hear about important options that are proven useful in treating breast cancer,” he says. “You can imagine how poor this number is for the underinsured. There are women in our community at risk for breast cancer that are not being properly screened. There are women in our community with breast lumps who are afraid to go to the doctor because they can’t afford a simple test that will answer their concerns. The National Breast Center team knows how to solve these problems, and every day, women in our clinics benefit from this unique approach. Through the National Breast Center Foundation, I want to touch more lives and improve the availability and quality of care for breast cancer.”
The Foundation is building a team of providers to run the foundation program, networking with associations for community health clinics to use their experience in resolving issues related to access to care and researching screening technology, including automated whole breast ultrasound, which has unlimited potential to screen patients without using any radiation and is painless and noninvasive. As soon as we achieve our financial goals, all these resources will begin making a difference. There are so many other ways the foundation will benefit our community, but today, the statistics tell us all we need to hear. Our women are dying from breast cancer too frequently because they aren’t getting the care they need. With your help, we will turn the tide.”
Although you may have missed the Walk, it’s never too late to donate to this important cause: walktobustcancer.org
Here’s another great resource: BREM Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer
- Each year, more than 250,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer
- 1 in 10 breast cancers occur in women under age 45
- For many women, an annual mammogram is not enough to maximize their chances of catching an early, curable breast cancer
- Learn your personal risk factors for breast cancer by using BREM’s digital breast health quiz, CheckMate
Until next Monday: May you join forces with your sisters to Bust Breast Cancer. — Hope Katz Gibbs, founder and president, Inkandescent® Inc. Inkandescent.us
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