Breast Cancer Research Foundation receives Support from David Broza and Pharaoh's Daughter

It is very exciting to have these two well-known and incredible talents performing on The Pioneers' Project- and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation will receive all the proceeds from these two wonderful tracks:  David Broza's  beautiful and haunting rendition of "V'Ulai", ("My Kinneret"), and the flowing, uplifting recording of "Hinei Achal'laBachalili",  ("Lo, I Play my Flute") by Pharaoh's Daughter.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation's mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. A minimum of 85 cents of every dollar donated goes to research and awareness programs. 

In 1993-1994, their first year, they awarded a total of $159,000 to eight researchers all located in the U.S.A.  To really make an impact, the goal as the Foundation grew was to fund researchers around the world.  This became reality in 2001 when they started funding an Israeli extension of the New York Breast Cancer Study, they were, "not only supporting quality science, but beginning a global approach to a global problem," Dr. Larry Norton explains. 

BCRF has supported research internationally at a rapidly increasing pace ever since.  This year they expect to award approximately $35 million, which is $3 million more than last year, to more than 150 of the world's leading researchers.

BCRF believe that a global approach is critical because public health indicators suggest that by 2020, 70 percent of all breast cancers cases will be in developing countries.  Some collaborations are between U.S.-based researchers working with significant populations of women with breast cancer and oncologists and cancer researchers based in other countries.  Other projects are initiated locally but have international implications; they range from novel laboratory research about the molecular basis of breast cancer, to new approaches to improving and standardizing patient care.  Their goal is to be able to offer better outcomes to women with breast cancer, and to prevent healthy women from developing it, no matter where they live.

As BCRF embarks on the 15th year of their commitment to breast cancer research, they have cumulatively raised in excess of $215 million.  In October, 2008 BCRF will award over $34 million in new research grants to 165 scientists from top universities and academic medical centers across the globe.  Finding a cure for cancer is an attainable goal, and it is their firm belief that they must fuel those who are searching for the answers.  When you support BCRF, you are investing in the greatest minds in cancer research in universities and academic medical centers around the world. Most importantly, you are investing in a future without breast cancer.

To learn more about this charity they may be contacted at:

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation 

60 East 56th Street 

8th floor 

New York, NY 10022 

Toll free: 1-866-FIND-A-CURE (346-3228) 

Fax: 646-497-0890 

Email: bcrf@bcrfcure.org 

Abbi Rose's Beautiful Rendition of Hazorim B'dimah Supports Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Abbi Rose's stunning track, "Hazorim B'dimah"  will be raising funds for an extremely important charity, and one that is also close to my heart, "The Susan G. Komen For a Cure" Foundation.  

It was started by Nancy G. Brinker with a promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.  In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement.  

Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.  Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, they have invested more than $1.2 billion, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

Invigorated by their 25th anniversary in 2007, they realigned resources, refocused research efforts and recommitted to finally, once and for all, finish what they started.  They will invest an additional $2 billion over the next decade - by 2017 - to do exactly that.  

Here are some statistics recently released by Komen for the Cure:

• Without a cure, 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer – a devastating disease with physical, emotional, psychological and financial pain that can last a lifetime.
• Without a cure, an estimated 5 million Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer – and more than 1 million could die – over the next 25 years.
• Without a cure, an estimated 25 million women around the world will be diagnosed with breast cancer – and 10 million could die – over the next 25 years.

For more information on this charity please visit www.Komen.org

Let's help Susan G. Komen win the fight and end breast cancer forever by donating to Abbi's charity.  Additionally, I'd like to thank Abbi for sharing her wonderful voice with us and her generosity and continued support in the fight against breast cancer.  

Back Home after successfully completing "The West Highland Way"

I'm back home in New Jersey and I am very happy to report that I was successful in stepping every mile of the West Highland Way! (95 miles!!)  In support of my cancer charity, "A Step Ahead".  

It was an awesome journey-  the scenery was so beautiful and I highly recommend this hike to any serious walkers out there- It took us six straight days to complete the 95 miles and it was an extremely mental, as well as physical challenge to keep on stepping... through the pain and exhaustion!!  My sisters and the team of eight were wonderful and we gave each other a lot of support.  

We received a lot of press in Scotland.  We were featured in "The Glasgow Herald" twice and appeared on live Scottish TV.  It was fun to be famous for a day!  Additionally, the editor and photographer who joined us on our walk from Mexico had an eight page article in "Balance" magazine, which is published nationally in Mexico.  More importantly we have raised a lot of money towards Professors Stott's cancer research in Glasgow University.  Over 35, 000 Pounds (UK)  I am very excited to continue adding to the total with donations from "Pioneers For a Cure".  

Personally, it is extremely fulfilling and healing to be able to use my body and soul in the fight against cancer.  I hope you enjoy the beautiful songs that have been created in this meaningful project.  

Karen    

My Charity- A Step Ahead

Wow- I can't believe that one week from today I'll be getting interviewed by The Herald- the biggest newspaper in Scotland and the next day I will begin a 95 mile hike with my sisters and a group of close friends to raise money for a cancer research project underway in Glasgow University.  It's been an amazing summer filled with lots of singing and walking!- all to raise well needed funds in the fight against breast cancer.  

It was an honor and a pleasure to sing "Yeled Kat" for the "Pioneers For a Cure" project.  Although I'd never heard this song before, I was given a lot of support from Greg and the guys in becoming familiar with it and was amazed by the instrumentals.  It's an up-beat Channukah song, celebrating the holiday of light.  I hope my Hebrew accent doesn't sound too Scottish!!!! (Where I'm originally from!)

All the proceeds from downloading my track go towards my charity "A Step Ahead".  Funding Dr. Stott's research in Glasgow University into finding a link between breast cancer and the immune system.  Unfortunately breast cancer has effected my life from an early age.  It is very fulfilling and healing for me to contribute towards finding a cure to this terrible disease.    

Here's my story:

At the age of 15, in 1986, I lost my mother to breast cancer.  This was devastating for my two older sisters and me.  This tragic event in out lives made us grow up very “breast aware”, cautious and diligent about having regular breast cancer screening examinations. 

Twenty years later, in June 2006, six weeks after giving birth to my second child, I was also diagnosed with breast cancer.  At this time my two sisters and I made the discovery that we carry the BRCA 1 gene mutation.  This means that we have an 85% chance of getting breast cancer and are at high risk for ovarian cancer. Due to these statistics, we each made the difficult decision to opt for elective surgery. Additionally, I endured chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Now, two years on, we are so grateful to be healthy and to be here for our children and families.  In addition, we feel the need to share our story in order to pass on the important information we have learned and share our hopes and optimism for the future. 

Although we live around the world, this summer my sisters and I are joining forces to take on the challenge of walking the West Highland Way in Scotland.  We are training hard in order to walk 95 miles over six days in memory of our Mother, Lorna Klineberg, and to raise awareness about the BRCA gene.  We hope to raise a substantial amount of money for a breast cancer research study being conducted by Dr. Stott and his team in Glasgow University, Scotland.  The results of which will be shared worldwide in the fight against breast cancer. 

We are leaving Glasgow on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 and arriving in Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis on Sunday August, 31, 2008.  Please visit our website:  www.justgiving.com/astepahead for our full story and details on how to make an on-line donation.  The website will accept international donations.

I am so excited about the fast-approaching challenge and will report back after I have (hopefully) successfully completed The West Highland Way.  Additionally, I will be adding more information about the Cancer Charities the other artists on this amazing project are contributing to.

Take care,

Karen

Hi I'm Karen

I'm excited to make my first entry onto our new blog.  I have the important role of introducing the cancer charities the artists have chosen to support.