Women Who Care

Last night I had the honor to present at the quarterly meeting of the Lower Connecticut Valley’s chapter of Women Who Care, what I have found to be a most worthy cause, the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation. In always looking out for a recipient for proceeds from sales of the book and music of Each Moment We’re Alive, TBBCF caught my attention when I was asked to sing at an event for an inspirational honoree, Aimee Reed. I found her story particularly inspiring as she has been participating in triathlons and actively advocating, despite her treatments and surgery to treat her breast cancer. Since I had just joined Women Who Care, organized by Suzie Woodward of Chester, CT, I started to learn more about TBBCF and was impressed to discover that their business model has held up since their inception in 2006. Their mission is to work at the grass roots level with committed volunteers and the support of sponsors and devote 100%, literally every penny raised, to research. I have not come upon any other organizations to date with the same financial structure. The recipients of the donations are vetted by a Scientific Advisory Council in order to direct funding to recognized institutions in need of support for their ongoing research. It is done in such a way that donors are able to see precisely where and to whom their money is going and how it will be directed. Women Who Care meets quarterly and after vetting submitted organizations that fit the 501C3 criteria, picks three members to present their case for supporting their chosen cause. Last night TBBCF won the most votes after my presentation and I was delighted to advocate for such a heartfelt grassroots non-profit organization in full support of breast cancer research. Women Who Care has chapters throughout the country and its efforts to gather women to learn about and support local causes are simply beautiful.