Launching in October, Care for HER is on a mission to navigate a better future for Black Breast Cancer patients by providing 24/7 personal nurse navigational support and integrative therapies and services at no personal cost.

“Patients enrolled in Care for HER will gain free access to integrative therapies and navigation, helping them manage side effects and symptoms, adhere to treatments better, and improve their quality of life. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Black breast cancer patients.”

According to the American Cancer Society, Black women are 41% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women and have the lowest 5-year survival rate of any race or ethnicity. Black Breast Cancer is a unique disease and through this campaign, Care for Her will be one resource for our community to receive specialized care.

“Awareness is not enough. The current state of Black Breast Cancer demands action,” says Ricki Fairley, CEO and Co-Founder of TOUCHBBCA. “So this October, we are offering nurse navigation—led by a 24-year Black breast cancer survivor and nurse—in tandem with Unite for HER’s incredible suite of integrative services, all for free. Care for HER will help Black women navigate the complexities of a breast cancer diagnosis, from side effects to treatment barriers to emotional support. Our message to Black breast cancer patients is simple: you are not alone.”

Care for HER is an awareness campaign with real impact, focusing on enrolling Black breast cancer patients in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Raleigh-Durham. The program will extend into additional cities in October 2025.

The Care for HER program is presented by Daiichi-Sankyo and AstraZeneca. Additional funds received during October will provide enrolled patients with free integrative therapies, services, and personal 24/7 nurse navigational support at no personal cost.

“Our vision is that every Black individual diagnosed with breast cancer will feel the support of a loving community, and will have access to comprehensive integrative oncology support, education, services, and tools that enrich their health and well-being,” says Sue Weldon, CEO and Founder of Unite for HER. “Patients enrolled in Care for HER will gain free access to integrative therapies and navigation, helping them manage side effects and symptoms, adhere to treatments better, and improve their quality of life. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Black breast cancer patients.”

The general public can also join Unite for HER and TOUCHBBCA all October long on social media as we talk about integrative care and nurse navigation and hear from real patients enrolled in the program. Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting the personal impact on how nurse navigation and integrative care allowed Care for HER participants to mitigate side effects and symptoms, better manage prescriptions, and have better outcomes.

Visit uniteforher.org/careforher or watch The Doctor Is In: Care for HER to learn more about free services and support for Black Breast Cancer patients. Follow along on social @toucbbca and @uniteforher.

About TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance

TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance works to drive the collaborative efforts of patients, survivors, advocates, advocacy organizations, health care professionals, researchers and pharmaceutical companies to work collectively, with accountability, towards the common goal of advancing science to eradicate Black Breast Cancer. For more information, visit touchbbca.org.

About Unite For HER

Unite for HER supports breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients by providing integrative therapies, services, education, resources, and support at no personal cost. Our mission is to enrich the health and well-being of those diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancers – for life – by funding and delivering integrative therapies. For more information visit uniteforher.org.

Contacts

Uzo Osameka| TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance | Uzo@touchbbca.org |570-994-8757

“It is an honor to highlight the volunteers and organizations who work to support our mission year round,” said Sue Weldon, Founder and CEO of Unite for HER. “They are incredible and support our work to ensure better outcomes for our community of breast and ovarian cancer patients nationwide.”

2024-2025 Unite for HER Honorees

• Community Partner Award: Constellation
• Corporate Partner Award: Lilly
• Spirit of Service Award: Alison Marcelli
• Student Service Award: Caroline Straw and Abbe Society of West Chester University

Honorees will be recognized at Unite for HER’s four signature fundraising events throughout the year. Complete event details can be found at uniteforher.org/events.

Community Partner Award: Constellation

Constellation has been an incredible and dedicated supporter of Unite for HER over the past few years, consistently demonstrating their commitment in numerous meaningful ways. Their team showed remarkable dedication by participating in our 5K event despite a hurricane, and they further honored us by selecting Unite for HER as one of the recipients of their annual golf outing proceeds. Constellation also hosted Unite for HER for a community breakfast that brought together several local nonprofits to honor all of the impactful work being done in our community. Their support extended to attending our Harvest event and organizing a box build initiative, significantly contributing to our mission

Corporate Partner Award: Lilly

Throughout the year, Lilly’s involvement has been comprehensive and impactful. They have participated in care box builds, facilitated employee engagement events, and prioritized listening to testimonials and the patient voice to ensure we meet the community’s needs. Their commitment extends to supporting our wellness programs and events, showcasing their dedication not just for isolated activities but throughout the entire year.

Spirit of Service Award: Alison Marcelli

Alison Marcelli is a dedicated weekly volunteer who is especially crucial in preparing the weekly shipment of care boxes for patients nationwide. She began her service with Unite for Her in Fall of 2021. Alison is an amazing supporter and spokesperson for UFH at various outreach events and functions and is former program member. Alison previously spoke about her experience in the 2023 Bloom Fashion Show, and her kind heart and caring spirit shines through in all that she does.

Student Spirit of Service Award: Caroline Straw and West Chester University Abbé Society

The Abbe Society is an organization of female students that commits itself to the service of others on campus and throughout the surrounding community.  Under past and current leadership, Abbe Society members have supported Unite for HER on a weekly basis throughout the academic year.  Various society members have served UFH by performing different tasks that enable UFH to ship Wellness Care boxes and educational materials to breast and ovarian cancer patients.  The members of AbbeSociety never feel a task is too small or too challenging.  Over the past several years, students arrive reliably at the Unite for HER office with positive energy and move quickly to the task at hand.  They have assembled wellness care boxes, replenished materials for the care boxes, organized our storage area, move heavy cases from pallets to storage shelves, and a variety of other tasks.  They have volunteered at UFH key fundraising events such as the 5K and Pink Invitational.

About Unite for HER

Founded in 2009, Unite for HER is a national nonprofit that supports breast and ovarian cancer patients nationwide. Each year, the organization recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on their mission to fund and deliver education, integrative therapies, services, and support to more than 7,400 patients annually. To learn more about Unite for HER’s free programs and events, visit uniteforher.org.

Contact:

Corianne Armstrong
Director of Communications
Unite for HER

Recipe:

Mix a solution of 1 cup distilled white vinegar to 3 cups water.
Optional: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.

How to Wash Different Produce:

• Hard-Skinned Produce: Mix your solution in a spray bottle. Place produce in a colander in the sink. Spray liberally with the mixture, then let sit for 2-5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water, using a vegetable scrub brush on thicker skinned produce. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Soft-Skinned Produce: Mix your solution in a large bowl. Add produce and soak for up to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse well with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Leafy Greens: Mix your solution. Place greens in a bowl or salad spinner and fill with solution. Let greens sit in the solution for 2-5 minutes, then remove. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Dry with paper towels or spin. Use right away or wrap in damp paper towels, stored in a plastic bag.

Wondering when to go organic? Check out our blog “Do I Need to Shop Organic” for more information!

By: Aubrey Redd, MS, RDN, LDN

West Chester, PA (August 7, 2024)— The Foxwynd Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to nonprofit organization Unite for HER  to provide integrative therapies and supportive services for breast and ovarian cancer patients in Pennsylvania.

“The impact of integrative care on patient outcomes is profound,” said Susan Weldon, founder and CEO of Unite for HER. “We are so grateful for the support of the Foxwynd Foundation to provide these life-changing resources to patients in underserved areas across the commonwealth.  This grant will provide 100 patients with immediate access to therapies like acupuncture, nutrition services, Reiki, yoga, and more, at no personal cost.”

Unite for HER’s integrative wellness programs began in 2009, providing integrative therapies and supportive services to breast cancer patients in the Philadelphia region. Today, the national nonprofit supports over 7,400 breast and ovarian cancer patients annually,  providing direct services at no personal cost. The Foxwynd Foundation DAF funded the Foxwynd Foundation’s generous donation to Unite for HER.

“We are committed to supporting initiatives that enhance community health and well-being,” said Pamela Villagra, Executive Director of the Foxwynd Foundation. “This grant award helps to ensure that all breast and ovarian cancer patients in Pennsylvania have the opportunity to benefit from integrative care.”

About The Foxwynd Foundation
The Foxwynd Foundation was founded in 2024 and works to act as a lifeline for communities in need by enhancing access to key pillars of human dignity and potential such as healthcare, housing, and sustainable environmental initiatives. For more information, visit www.foxwyndfoundation.org.

About Unite For HER
Unite for HER (UFH) is a 501©3 national profit organization that supports breast and ovarian cancer patients nationwide. UFH provides free integrative therapies, services, support and education directly to patients.Since founding in 2009, UFH has supported more than 15,000 breast and ovarian cancer patients nationwide. To learn more, visit www.uniteforher.org.

Click to watch to learn more about our impact this year, key highlights, and goals for the future.

Today, May the 4th, holds a very special place in my heart, I wanted to take this moment to share it with those I love and hold dear, including each member of our Unite for HER community.

Today marks my 20th year of being cancer-free, and I am so grateful.

I am immensely thankful to be here, serving in my role at Unite for HER, advocating for those in need. I remember all too well, vividly recalling the days when I longed to see someone who was one year, five years, ten years, fifteen years, and twenty years post-cancer. Their stories gave me hope and strength. Now, being that voice of hope as 20 years out for the thousands we serve at Unite for HER, fills my heart in ways I can truly not put into words for I also know that is not the case for many that we serve.

I am deeply honored and grateful to lead in this role at Unite for HER, across the country, alongside our remarkable staff, board, and volunteers. Together, we are improving outcomes and assisting in managing arduous side effects and symptoms, both emotionally and physically.

I often tell my family the importance of “marking the day”, taking time to pause, reflect, and cherish our accomplishments and goals. Sometimes, we rush through life so quickly that we forget to pause, reflect, and celebrate these milestones that shape our lives.

So today, I am taking my own advice, and marking this day with all of you. I am deeply honored to lead the Unite for HER community and look forward to all we will achieve together in the years to come.

With love and gratitude,

Sue Weldon

Founder and CEO
Unite for HER

Founder and CEO Sue Weldon with family in 2004 (left) and 2024 (right)