The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama presented its largest donation to date, amounting in $1 million dollars, to the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Jan. 18 at a luncheon at The Club.
“The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama is critical in making our breast cancer research program one of the best in the country,” said Dr. Michael Birrer, director of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. “BCRFA is a perfect example of motivating the community to support new and evolving research. Without their support we could not conduct important pilot studies or provide bridge funding. ”
Since its inception in 1996, the BCRFA has made an annual donation to the O’Neal Cancer Center with the proceeds from all its fundraising efforts. The Birmingham-based organization’s cumulative total of donated funds for breast cancer research being conducted at UAB is more than $8.5 million.
“As a breast cancer survivor myself, I am thrilled that we are able to invest one million dollars in life-saving breast cancer research this year,” said Jill Carter, BCRFA board president. “Without the support of our sponsors, donors and community partners, this record-breaking donation would not be possible.”
The funds were raised through sales of specialty breast cancer research license plate, a variety of BCRFA events held throughout the year and from individual and community donations.
According to a release, approximately one half of the total donation was raised through the BCRFA specialty car tag sales and now more than 12,500 vehicles in Alabama are equipped with a Breast Cancer Research tag.
– Emily Williams
