The Keep A Breast Foundation has awarded $100,000 in direct financial support to 200 breast cancer patients and survivors from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. This milestone represents the fifth consecutive year of the organization's Give Back Grant program, which aims to address racial inequities in breast cancer healthcare.
Since its inception in 2020, the program has distributed over $700,000 in micro-grants to more than 1,000 individuals, helping to alleviate financial burdens associated with medical treatment. Recipients can use the funds for essential expenses such as transportation, medical bills, childcare, and groceries.
The initiative, supported by corporate partners Curvy Couture and Smart&Sexy, uses a community-centered selection process with volunteers from the BIPOC survivor community. Applicants must be U.S. residents currently in treatment or breast cancer survivors who self-identify as BIPOC.
Founder Shaney Jo Darden emphasized the program's significance, noting that small acts of financial support can create meaningful change in survivors' lives. The grants not only provide immediate financial relief but also contribute to broader efforts to improve healthcare outcomes for marginalized communities.
Program Manager Marquita Goodluck, herself a past recipient, highlighted the personal impact of the initiative, describing the opportunity to support fellow survivors as profoundly rewarding. The program underscores the importance of targeted support in addressing systemic healthcare disparities.
