Conference History
Ten years ago, in collaboration with the Breast Health Institute, LBBC held the first Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer. The conference was born out of a Living Beyond Breast Cancer program, the Young Survivors Networking Group. Because of the success of the group, in 2000 LBBC conducted an informal membership survey of those who had identified themselves as under age 45. LBBC learned young women wanted a daylong educational program targeted at their needs and wanted to network with others like them. The first conference drew 300 women from 17 states and consisted of a morning plenary session and six afternoon workshops. The Young Survival Coalition played an instrumental role in building attendance by inviting its members to the conference.
Today, the conference draws over 700 women, their partners, supporters and healthcare providers. People come from 44 states and 10 countries to take part in the event. The conference has been extended to three days and offers more than 25 workshops on a variety of diverse topics relevant to all phases of breast cancer treatment and life beyond. Some of the foremost experts on breast cancer travel from around the world to educate, meet and listen to the concerns of attendees. LBBC now partners with the Young Survival Coalition to host the conference. In 2007, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® joined the efforts as lead sponsor.
LBBC, the Young Survival Coalition and Susan G. Komen for the Cure® work closely to ensure conference content reflects the interests of all young women affected by breast cancer. The conference has been an overwhelming success in providing young women with breast cancer and their loved ones the most up-to-the minute information, conveyed compassionately and intelligently by expert healthcare professionals. LBBC, the YSC and Komen are proud to meet the needs of young women with breast cancer by presenting the only three-day educational program dedicated solely to their unique issues.
The organizations are perfect partners because of their shared dedication to empowering and providing up-to-the-minute educational information to young women affected by breast cancer. Founded in 1991, LBBC’s mission is to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Founded in 1998, the YSC is the only international, non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters solely dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer. Founded in 1982, 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 cures.
