Elekta Raises $53,000 to Support
Individuals with Breast Cancer
Sandy B. Muller Breast Cancer
Foundation received funds, which will help those diagnosed with the disease
MIAMI
and ATLANTA, October 5 – Elekta activities at the American Society for Radiation
Oncology (ASTRO) 53rd Annual Meeting raised a total of $53,000 for the
Miami-based Sandy B. Muller Breast Cancer Foundation. In addition to
contributing the proceeds from ticket sales for the Elekta Charity Bash on
October 1, Elekta made a donation for each ASTRO attendee who had their badge
swiped at the Elekta exhibit. During the Annual Meeting, Elekta focused on how
the company supports individuals with breast cancer through the breast cancer
continuum, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up.
"Our goal is to provide peace of
mind through financial assistance to women and men recently diagnosed with
breast cancer, who need funds for basic living expenses while they are going
through treatment and often unable to work,” says Foundation founder, Sandy B.
Muller. “We encourage breast cancer patients to continue treatment free from
worry of financial ruin and distress for themselves and their children. We share
Elekta's vision to improve patient lives during their cancer journey, and we are
grateful that our patients will benefit from these charitable activities.”
Breast cancer is the most frequent
cancer among women, with an estimated 1.3 million new cancers diagnosed in 2008.
Of all cancers, breast cancer is the second most common in the world. To
recognize the significance of this disease, countries across the globe have
designated October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
About Elekta
Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical
solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops
sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for
radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy, as well as workflow enhancing
software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the boundaries
of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient
solutions that offer confidence to both healthcare providers and patients,
Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives.
Today, Elekta solutions in
oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals worldwide. Elekta
employs around 3,300 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located
in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the
ticker EKTAb. Website:
www.elekta.com.
It's All Relative
Dear JABBERS:
I was having a stressful week. Just the
usual stuff. Then saw my friend Vera
yesterday and realized my bad week
wasn't so bad. It really is all
relative. I haven't seen Vera in a while
because she's been sick. She showed up
at my house with a peach colored scarf
around her head. We sat down and I told
her how sorry I am for all she's been
through lately. Her response was not
what I expected. Her eyes lit up and she
smiled! She couldn't wait to tell me all
about how amazing her doctors are, and
how even though the chemo knocks her
out, she's excited to get the double
mastectomy and hysterectomy behind her,
then finish school (only 20 hours to
graduation!) so she can enjoy a fresh
start. After this chapter, she will have
a brand new lease on life.
Then she began telling me how blessed
she feels. That's right, blessed. Know
why? Because of you. You might remember
that a month or so ago I ran a post on
JAB saying that my friend Vera has
breast cancer and needs some help. She
said the responses from JAB were
overwhelming and that her Inbox was
flooded with emails from total strangers
from all over our community, offering
help, support, resources, even money, in
her time of need. One of you (you know
who you are) even paid her mortgage last
month. Because of you, Vera is
optimistic about the future, and not at
all focused on her discomfort. There is
no fear, no anger, and no self-pity.
I have said many times that my favorite
thing about JAB is that it cultivates
the very best in our community. Well, my
friends, this is what I mean. And this
is just ONE of many stories like it. I
know that you guys are doing things like
this every day, all around us.
My point: Thank you.
P.S. One of the organizations that
helped Vera the most is the Sandy B.
Muller Breast Cancer Foundation. It was
started locally by my friend Sandy, who
is a breast cancer survivor herself. She
and her team can only help people like
Vera if we help her do so. (Every little
bit helps!) Click
HERE to check out the Foundation or
make a contribution.
Happy JABBING! Boo Zamek,
Founder & President JustAskBoo LLC
ADDS TWO SOUTH FLORIDA
PROFESSIONALS TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
July 2011---The Sandy B. Muller
Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (“the Foundation”) is pleased to announce the
addition of Beth Rosenstein, General Manager of Bloomingdale’s Miami at The
Falls, and Dr. Gina Marcus, DMD, to its Board of Directors.
The Foundation provides patients in
Miami-Dade County recently diagnosed with breast cancer and in treatment with
help with basic living expenses. Since its service program began in November
2009, the Foundation has assisted 40 breast cancer patients.
Sandy B. Muller, a cancer survivor
and one of the Founders of the Foundation, is keenly aware of the challenge many
patients face while undergoing extended treatment. Unable to work, many patients
cannot afford to pay for their life needs. Vowing to help others, the
Foundation provides financial assistance to qualified patients* with their
mortgage payments, rent payments, medical insurance premiums, transportation
costs to and from doctor’s appointments, child care payments, food and other
life necessities.
“I vowed to
find a way to provide Peace of Mind from financial hardship for breast cancer
patients in treatment,” said Muller.
Beth Rosenstein has served as
General Manager for Bloomingdale’s Miami at The Falls since May 2010. Under her
leadership, Bloomingdale’s has been successful in raising much-needed funds for
organizations such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Baptist Health
Foundation and Feeding South Florida among many others. Prior to her current
position, Beth was the Regional Merchandise Manager for Cosmetics for all 15
stores in Florida, Georgia, Washington DC and Chicago.
Dr. Gina Marcus was born and raised
in Miami, Florida. She is a graduate of Gulliver Preparatory School, the
University of Florida, and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. She is
involved with several community organizations including March for Babies - March
of Dimes in Miami, United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida, Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation, Women's Emergency Network, The Biltmore School, Temple Beth
Am, and Ransom Everglades. She has also actively participates in community
outreach programs sponsored by the prestigious Pankey Institute for Dental
Education. Dr. Marcus and her staff donate their time at a free clinic sponsored
by The Pankey Institute for the women of the Lotus House. Dr. Marcus is a member
of the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, South Florida
District Dental Association, and the Greater Miami Dental Society.
For more information on how to
donate to the Foundation, volunteer or download an application for assistance,
please visit the Foundation’s website at
www.sandybmullerbreastcancerfoundation.org or contact Sandy B. Muller
directly at
The National Cancer Institute
(NCI) estimated that in 2010 over 207,000 women and almost 2,000 men would be
diagnosed with breast cancer. These new cases would add to the 2.5 million women
already living with the disease in the United States. The pervasiveness of the
disease is a financial burden to society as a whole. According to NCI, the
national cost of breast cancer care in 2010 for women only was $16.5 billion.
This figure only accounts for the medical costs in the initial and final phases
of treatment; it does not include other expenses such as lost productivity which
if considered would significantly increase the financial burden of breast cancer
to all Americans.
But, treating breast cancer is
not only an economic issue for the country. It often causes financial strains
for patients and their families. According to the California Breast Cancer
Research Project the mean cost for treating the disease across all women is over
$31,000 and in an October 2007 ABC News report Dr. Stephen Edge, medical
director of the Breast Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y.
states that “the overall cost for treating a typical breast cancer will top
$50,000 or even $100,000." Even for patients with health insurance the costs of
treatment can be significant.
Financial
Strain of Cancer
In a 2006 study conducted by
USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health,
25 percent of families affected by cancer said that the patient used all or most
of their savings, and one in eight said they borrowed money from relatives. The
study found that having health insurance throughout treatment limited but did
not eliminate the financial consequences of a cancer diagnosis – one-fifth still
used up all or most of their savings, 10 percent borrowed money from relatives
and nine percent were contacted by a collection agency.
For those without insurance the
financial burden was even greater. Respondents in this group were five times
more likely to delay or forgo treatment, 50 percent used all or most of their
savings, 40 percent were unable to pay for basic necessities, and six percent
filed for personal bankruptcy.
National
Breast Cancer Aid Organizations
The number of patients in need
of financial assistance is growing. According to Shirley Freifeld, the president
and co-founder of the
Breast
Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation (BCEAF), the need for help has increased
drastically. “When we started BCEAF most of our clients were from blue-collar
backgrounds or were uninsured, but in recent years we’ve seen the need for aid
spread across socioeconomic groups due to job or insurance loss, limited
insurance, or refusal of insurance providers to cover aspects of treatment.” For
those experiencing economic hardship after being diagnosed with breast cancer
there are a number of national organizations that provide financial assistance.
AvonCARES- Offers limited financial assistance to low income, uninsured,
under-insured and under-served women for home care, childcare and
transportation. For more information call CancerCare at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673).
Linking A.R.M.S.™ - A partnership between CancerCare and Susan G. Komen for
the Cure, the program provides limited financial assistance for hormonal and
oral chemotherapy, pain and anti-nausea medication, lymphedema supplies and
durable medical equipment. Contact CancerCare at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) for more
information.
Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR) - A partnership between Susan G. Komen for the
Cure and the Patient Advocate Foundation, CPR provides direct financial
assistance for pharmaceutical drug co-payments to qualified insured patients,
including those with Medicare Part D. Visit
CPR
to learn more.
American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) - ABCF is the only national breast
cancer organization that provides direct financial support to uninsured and
under-served patients for the screening, diagnosis, treatment and survival of
breast cancer. The group’s Key to Life Breast Cancer Assistance Program provides
financial aid for emergency treatment, wigs, prostheses and medications.
There are also several national
groups that provide transportation and lodging assistance for those that need to
travel long distances for treatment. A listing is available through
Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Regional
Breast Cancer Financial Assistance Organizations
In addition to the above
national groups, there are a number of regional ones that offer additional
financial support to breast cancer patients. These organizations often cover
things that the national ones do not, therefore helping those in need pay for
more expenses. Freifeld says that the biggest request to BCEAF is for help
paying for food, followed by rent and electric bills.
Breast Cancer Angels - Breast Cancer Angels provides financial support to
more than 400 patients in Southern California each year. Aid is offered to men
and women with long-term metastatic breast cancer and covers food, emergency
housing costs, clothing and other supplies for the client’s children, medical
co-pays and cobra, home health care and final expenses, second opinions and
scholarships for children affected by a parents illness.
Breast Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation (BCEAF) - BCEAF provides direct
financial assistance for non-medical expenses for patients currently undergoing
radiation, chemotherapy, reconstruction or mastectomy in Conn., N.J., N.Y.,
Mass., and Pa. Founded by two survivors, the group is a 2010 and 2011 grantee of
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northern New Jersey and has distributed $280,000 to
date.
Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio - Formed by survivors, the organization provides
emergency financial assistance to breast cancer patients. Expenses covered
include living, mental health services, treatment, prescriptions, co-pays and
participation in clinical trials.
Ethel Precht HOPE Breast Cancer 3K - One hundred percent of the proceeds
from this walk go towards providing breast cancer survivors in Cameron and
Calcasieu Parishes in Louisiana with help purchasing wigs, prostheses or other
items not covered by insurance.
JD Breast Cancer Foundation - JD Breast Cancer Foundation provides financial
assistance for basic living expenses to qualified Northeast Ohio residents
undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Pretty in Pink Foundation - The foundation provides financial aid to
uninsured and under-insured breast cancer patients in North Carolina so that
they can get quality, life-saving medical treatment regardless of their ability
to pay.
Sandy B. Muller Breast Cancer Foundation - This organization offers patients
in Miami-Dade County, Fla., who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer
and are in treatment, with financial assistance for mortgage and rent payments,
medical insurance premiums, transportation costs to and from doctor
appointments, child care payments, food and other basic living expenses.
A breast cancer diagnosis
creates emotional stress and treatment can cause financial strain for many
patients. Help is available to ease breast cancer’s financial burden. In
addition to national and regional organizations that provide aid, many groups
offer advice on managing the financial obligations of the disease. Visit the
American Association for Cancer Research to find out how to get financial
aid and advice. Patients should not suffer in silence; assistance is available
to those in need.
BLOOMINGDALE’S HOSTED THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE SANDY B. MULLER BREAST CANCER
FOUNDATION AND RAISED OVER $10,000
March 18,
2009, Miami, FL –
Bloomingdale’s proudly hosted the official launch of the Sandy B. Muller Breast
Cancer Foundation on Thursday, March 12. The event raised over $10,000 to
support the Foundation’s efforts to provide peace of mind from financial
hardships for breast cancer patients in treatment.
The evening
was filled with excitement as over 125 supporters filled level 2 of
Bloomingdale’s The Falls to purchase auction tickets, sip DKNY 20th
Anniversary Champagne and apply lip gloss to “Kiss For A Cure.”
Highlighting
the evening, a high-energy runway fashion show, sponsored by DKNY and Runways
The Talent Group, featured looks from the DKNY 20th Anniversary and
Spring 2009 Collections.
The Sandy B.
Muller Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. was founded to celebrate the journey of
Sandy Muller, a breast cancer survivor who felt fortunate to have the support of
family and friends. Beverly Sage is a dear friend and supporter of Sandy and all
women with breast cancer. While celebrating her survivorship Beverly and Sandy
became aware of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient who needed financial
support but no resources were available.
The Sandy B. Muller Breast Cancer
Foundation’s mission is
to provide peace of mind to women and men recently diagnosed with breast cancer
and in treatment with basic living expenses such as mortgage and rent payments,
medical insurance premiums, transportation costs to and from doctor’s
appointments, child care payments, food and other life necessities. Often these
patients cannot work during their extended treatment and without the possibility
of income, they cannot afford to meet their life needs. Assistance will be
provided to patients demonstrating financial need after they have exhausted all
other government and community resources. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the full extent permitted
by law. For more information, visit
www.sandybmullerbreastcancerfoundation.org.
Bloomingdale’s
is America’s only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store; and a
division of Macy’s, Inc. It was founded in 1872 and currently operates 40
stores in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia,
Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Nevada and California. For more
information, or to shop any time, visit
www.bloomingdales.com.
