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

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)

Annapolis, MD (January 23, 2024) – TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance (TOUCHBBCA), and Unite for HER, a national nonprofit, announce a strategic alliance to increase the quality of care for Black women in cancer clinical trials.

Through this partnership, TOUCHBBCA and Unite for HER will fund and deliver integrative services and therapies to breast and ovarian cancer patients involved in clinical trials. Additionally, Unite for HER will provide patients living with metastatic breast cancer or recurrent ovarian cancer with $2,000 of integrative therapies and services every six months, renewable for life. Patient services include nutrition counseling, meal deliveries, mental health resources, yoga, Reiki, fitness memberships, and more.  By embracing a broad range of integrative modalities, individuals gain the knowledge and tools to customize a wellness program according to their unique needs and preferences. This empowerment can foster a sense of control over their health and provide new avenues to manage symptoms, reduce stress, and enhance their quality of life.

“We could not be more honored to partner with TOUCH, linking arms to ensure those enrolled in clinical trials have access to these critical resources and therapies, helping them better adhere to treatments,” says Sue Weldon, CEO and Founder of Unite for HER. “Through this partnership, patients in TOUCH Care will have the opportunity to gain access to integrative therapies at no cost, helping them manage side effects and symptoms without more drugs and prescriptions. This integrative approach during a clinical trial can minimize greatly the risk of abandonment of treatment, having a positive impact on their health outcomes and quality of life. Together Unite for HER and TOUCH will provide a comprehensive integrative approach that addresses their physical, emotional, and psychological needs at a time when they are in most need of support.” 

“Our major strategic thrust at TOUCHBBCA is to advance the science for Black Breast Cancer. That can only happen by enrolling and maintaining Black women with breast cancer in clinical trials in numbers that are commensurate with the burden of the disease. TOUCH Care allows pharmaceutical companies to enhance their recruiting and maintenance efforts

with our unprecedented nurse navigation services,” says Ricki Fairley, CEO and Co-Founder of TOUCHBBCA. “Now, with the support of Unite For HER’s arsenal of integrative services, we can holistically support patients and enhance their quality of care throughout the trials. We are ecstatic that we can bring this groundbreaking service to our pharmaceutical partners in hopes that we can make significant improvements in the current 3% clinical trial participation rate of Black women.”

TOUCHBBCA has a history of successful initiatives, including in 2023, TOUCHBBCA was recognized by The White House Cancer Moonshot program with the launch of TOUCH Care, a first-of-its-kind Black survivor-led Nurse Navigator Service, aimed at improving the clinical trial process for Black women diagnosed with breast cancer. TOUCH Care focuses on driving trial matching and recruiting, assisting with the application process, managing the informed consent process, and providing coaching and counseling throughout the trial. This initiative provides on-staff nurse and patient navigators to optimize the patient experience for Black women. The TOUCH Care team works with pharmaceutical partners, researchers, and investigators to curate culturally agile, patient-centric trial experiences.

To learn more visit: uniteforher.org/touchbbca

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. Though there are numerous breast cancer advocacy groups and stakeholders, there is a need to bring all patients, survivors, advocates, advocacy organizations, health care professionals, researchers and pharmaceutical companies together to serve as allies in this army to fight Black Breast Cancer. No one entity can accomplish this alone. Our work requires collaboration, partnership, shared resources and consistent action, where we can share knowledge and hold each other accountable towards this critical goal. For more information, visit touchbbca.org.

About Unite For HER

Unite For Her Unite for HER is a 501(c)3 national nonprofit organization that supports breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients by providing integrative therapies, services, education, resources, and support at no personal cost. Our vision is that every person with breast and ovarian cancers will feel the support of a loving community, and will have access to comprehensive education, services, and tools that enrich their health and well-being.  We are on a 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.

“It is an honor to highlight these organizations and individuals who strive to make a difference in the lives of breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients nationwide,” said Sue Weldon, Founder and CEO of Unite for HER. “Their outstanding commitment, collaboration, and tireless efforts have strengthened our organization as we expanded nationally over the past three years.”

2023-2024 Unite for HER Honorees

• Community Partner Award: Touch: The Black Breast Cancer Alliance
• Corporate Partner Award: West
• Spirit of Service Award: Lauren Baran
• Student Service Award: Garnet Valley High School, Students Unite for HER Club

“Touch BBCA was our first national recruiting partner, working to bridge the health equity gaps in the Black community. West has been generous in their support of our national expansion, prioritizing underserved and underrepresented patients. We were so grateful for their support of our pilot program in Tuba City, Arizona, that supported the Native American population. Lauren Baran has been a faithful volunteer since 2019, devoting countless hours to move our mission forward. We are truly grateful for these honorees who work to share our mission to provide integrative care to underserved and underrepresented patients.”

Sue Weldon, Founder and CEO of Unite for HER

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.

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 5,300 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

The impact of the metastatic breast cancer program is evident.

surveyed metastatic breast cancer patients enrolled in the Unite for HER Wellness Program and submitted the data for analysis by Cancer Support Community. Among the key findings were the ability of integrative therapies to reduce stress, reduce medication used for side effects, and to improve reported quality of life.

The Unite for HER Wellness Program was developed in 2009 to educate breast cancer patients about integrative care and provide free access to therapies and services like nutrition, yoga, meditation, Reiki, exercise, and more. The program includes life-long services for patients living with metastatic breast cancer, providing $2,000 of integrative therapies and services to patients every six months for life. 

Today, the program supports more than 2,000 metastatic breast cancer patients in the United States, hosting free educational seminars and providing access to services like whole food nutrition services, counseling, Reiki, meditation, yoga, and more. 

“We are excited to see the important role integrative therapies play in improving patients’ quality of life,” said Elif Andac-Jones, Ph.D., Senior Director of Market Research at Cancer Support Community.  “We believe the ability to measure impact with the data collected directly from a support service provider can be instrumental in designing programs that meet actual cancer patient needs and expanding access for all.”

According to the American Cancer Society, there are approximately 164,000 patients currently living with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in the United States, many of whom require additional treatment and medication to combat treatment side effects like insomnia, fatigue, nausea, digestive issues, and more (Giaquinto et al., 2022). In recent years new attention has been focused on integrative cancer care, and in 2017 the American Society of Clinical Oncology endorsed the Association of Integrative Oncology’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for breast cancer care, highlighting how therapies like yoga, meditation, and acupuncture improve cancer-related side effects (Greenlee et al., 2017).

To view the complete poster session of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and learn more about Unite for HER Wellness Program for Metastatic Breast Cancer, visit uniteforher.org/sabcs.

Sources

Andac-Jones, E., Gonzalo, M., Kelly, G., Weldon, S. Impact of Integrative Therapies on Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer. Poster presentation. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2022.

Giaquinto, A. N., Sung, H., Miller, K. D., Kramer, J. L., Newman, L. A., Minihan, A., Jemal, A., & Siegel, R. L. (2022). Breast cancer statistics, 2022. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 72(6), 524–541. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21754 

Greenlee, H., DuPont-Reyes, M. J., Balneaves, L. G., Carlson, L. E., Cohen, M. R., Deng, G., Johnson, J. A., Mumber, M., Seely, D., Zick, S. M., Boyce, L. M., & Tripathy, D. (2017). Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 67(3), 194–232. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21397

Participants can choose the nutrition option available on their passport program for a six-week subscription to a weekly fresh produce delivery service

Unite For HER, a non-profit organization that provides integrative therapies to those with breast and ovarian cancer, is partnering with FarmboxRx to offer participants access to healthy foods by mail. Through the Unite For HER’s passport program, participants can choose the nutrition option to receive a six-week subscription to a weekly produce box. Each box is filled with seasonal, farm-fresh vegetables and a new FarmboxRx Living Magazine filled with tips, easy recipes, and activities for a healthy lifestyle. 

“We are proud to partner with FarmboxRx to provide patients with fresh vegetables across the nation,” said Sue Weldon, Founder and CEO. “Our team of registered dietitians work to support patients at every stage, providing personal guidance, cooking classes, and a library of recipes and tips. Many patients are unable to access fresh vegetables in their communities, and this partnership enables us to safely deliver nourishing vegetables directly to their homes.” 

For 12 years, Unite For HER has provided integrative therapies and resources to those affected by breast and ovarian cancers.The organization provides $2000 worth of integrative therapies, services, comprehensive education, and tools through the Unite for HER Wellness Program. Resources for topics including nutrition, acupuncture, massage, yoga, and cancer are just some of the ways Unite For HER help heal the body, mind, and souls of their participants. By teaming up with FarmboxRx, participants nationwide can have nutritious vegetables delivered straight to their doorstep  to help empower their recovery journey. 

FarmboxRx is working to revolutionize the future of preventative care by delivering Food as Medicine all across the U.S. By teaming up with insurance initiatives and non-profit organizations, FarmboxRx offers members affordable and easy access to fresh produce, meat & plant-based protein sources, and dry pantry essentials delivered to their homes. As the first-of-its-kind nutrition solution, FarmboxRx is a total wellness platform that aims to improve health outcomes and literacy through innovative food delivery programs providing access to exclusive nutrition education and content. Curated fruit and vegetable boxes are tailored to the management of chronic illnesses and conditions, and delivered to members’ homes nationwide. Alongside the healthy foods, each box comes with access to their total wellness platform that includes recipe inspiration, meal prepping guides, tips from experts, and mental health exercises that give individuals the tools and information to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

“Teaming up with Unite For HER is the perfect example of how two organizations with similar missions and shared values can join forces to positively impact more lives. In alignment with our Food as Medicine mission, we are proud to improve the accessibility to healthy food and nutrition education as part of Unite for HER’s passport program” said Ashley Tyrner, Founder & CEO of FarmboxRx.

About Unite For HER

When Unite for HER founder Sue Weldon was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she began searching for information on therapies that would complement the medical treatments she was receiving. What she discovered was a lack of easily accessible resources on topics like nutrition, acupuncture, massage, yoga, counseling and other ways for breast cancer patients to enhance their wellness and care for their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.

In 2009 Weldon founded Unite for HER to provide integrative therapies and services to those affected by breast cancer. Since founding Unite for HER has supported more than 10,000 breast and ovarian cancer patients nationwide. To learn more, visit www.uniteforher.org.

About FarmboxRx

Since 2019 FarmboxRx has been disrupting the healthcare world. As an extension of the Farmbox Direct mission, FarmboxRx delivers Food as Medicine to America’s most at-risk populations through Medicaid and Medicare programs. FarmboxRx is a first-of-its-kind social determinants of health (SDoH) program that makes healthy eating possible for at-risk populations, free-of-charge, through health insurance initiatives. FarmboxRx was launched to combat barriers to members’ most prominent health-related social need – food; and make healthy eating accessible to all. FarmboxRx is now partnered with 50+ national healthcare plans and is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. www.farmboxrx.com