Breast cancer claims another woman's life every 15 minutes in the United States. Beneficiaries The following breast cancer organizations received grants from Universal Share in 2007: Breast Cancer Emergency Fund Breast Cancer Emergency Fund provides financial support for low-income and men suffering from the debilitating effects of breast cancer and its treatment. Founded in 2001 as a spin-off of the 20 year-old AIDS Emergency Fund, BCEF clients receive emergency grants for such basic necessities as rent, utilities, special medical equipment, childcare and transportation. The Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic The Charlotte Maxwell Complementary Clinic was founded in 1992 by a group of health care providers and women with cancer. Complementary Alternative Medicine treatments such as acupuncture, herbs and massage therapy have proven efficacy in easing the impact of cancer and its treatment. CMCC is committed to providing state-of-the-art complementary modalities to low-income women who would otherwise have no access to them. The Universal Care grant will be used to enhance our social support services to low-income with breast cancer by recruiting and training additional CAM practitioners as well as practical support volunteers. Meals of Marin - 415 457-4MOM Meals of Marin began their operation by feeding two clients on March 3, 1993. From the beginning, "MOMS" volunteers agreed to: Never turn anyone away; Have no waiting list; Always supply a hot meal 365 days a year. With a 100 percent volunteer team of cooks and drivers, MOM prepares and delivers lunch and dinner, 7 days a week, to homebound people with life-threatening illnesses, particularly women with breast cancer, persons with AIDS, and their loved ones -- often small children. Every meal is designed to meet the individual dietary restrictions of each client. MOM offers "nourishment, comfort, hope and dignity" to people under the age of 60 in Marin County California. The Breast Cancer Fund Founded in 1992 in response to the public health crisis of breast cancer, TBCF identifies and advocates for elimination of the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease. TBCF works from the knowledge that breast cancer is not simply a personal tragedy, but a health priority that demand action from all. San Francisco General Hospital Foundation The San Francisco General Foundation funds projects that improve the care and comfort of patients at San Francisco General Hospital. Faced with a threat that costly, routine mammography screening services would be eliminated at the hospital, the Foundation responded by initiating a broad based Women’s Health Initiative. At the new Avon Breast Center they will provide state of the art imaging equipment that will provide a critical link in early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer for underserved women. Circulo de Vida Founded in 1992, Círculo de Vida (CDV) was the first successful Spanish-language support group program in the greater Bay Area, and has since been a model for groups in Union City, Pittsburg, and Watsonville. Founded on the principles of familismo (the importance of the family unit) and personalismo (the importance of warm interpersonal relationships) Círculo de Vida provides an invaluable and unparalleled service to Latinos living with cancer and their loved ones - most of them immigrants, low-income, and without health insurance - as they navigate a frightening illness and an increasingly complex medical system. Círculo's experienced staff help translate for the patient and physician at the time of diagnosis, offer in-hospital and in-home support during surgery and treatment, provide a wide range of Spanish-language support groups for the patients and their children, as well as case management, resource referrals and in-home support for the terminally ill. Women's Cancer Resource Center The Women's Cancer Resource Center is dedicated to serving women who traditionally lack access to health care resources, including women of color, disabled women, lesbians, older women, low-income women, and non-English speaking women. The WRC provides in-home support services, free therapy and legal services, a resource library offering information on alternative and mainstream treatments, peer support groups and networking, and educational forums and workshops. The agency is committed to grassroots efforts to promote changes within the health care system to make it more responsive to women's health concerns. * * * © 2008 Universal Share