The Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer was born out of a Living Beyond Breast Cancer program, the Young Survivors Networking Group. 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. LBBC’s Young Survivors program was founded in 1996 by a young woman who wanted to network with and advocate for other young women with breast cancer. 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.
In January 2001, in collaboration with the Breast Health Institute, LBBC held the first Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer. The conference drew 300 women from 17 states. The program 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. Because of its unparalleled work on behalf of young women with breast cancer, the YSC helped plan an advocacy workshop.
The next year, LBBC and the YSC decided to partner, launching a collaboration that continues to this day. Susan G. Komen for the Cure joined the effort in 2007. 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 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.
LBBC, Komen and the YSC work year-round to make each conference better than the last. In 2007, more than 800 women, their partners, supporters and healthcare providers came from 46 states and 11 countries to take part in the event. Today, attendees may choose from more than 20 workshops over the course of three days on a variety of diverse topics relevant to all phases of breast cancer treatment and life beyond, ensuring fresh information is available from year to year. Some of the foremost experts on breast cancer travel from around the world to educate, meet and listen to the concerns of attendees.
The organizations 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, Komen and the YSC 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.
