Breast Health Institute

The Breast Health Institute received a contribution of $46,539.72 donated by customers and employees of Genuardi's Markets. The check presentation ceremony, held on March 11, took place at Genuardi's Wynnewood Store.

On March 20, 2004, "24 for Breast Health" raised a record $66,005 for the Breast Health Institute. This year over 250 individuals and 40 children participated in this special event. Two stationary bicycle riders did all 24 hours. Over a dozen logged 12 hours, including a breast cancer survivor.

Since 2001, Diana Sosnowski and a dedicated group of volunteers have produced "24 for Breast Health". "24 for Breast Health" is a weekend fitness event to raise funds to combat breast cancer held at Kinetix Sports Club in Fairview Village, Pennsylvania.

From the first year at $13,000, year two at $43,000 and year three at $57,100, this event has grown exponentially.

The Breast Health Institute is humbled and inspired by the dedication of Diana, Joe, and others to fighting breast cancer. The Breast Health Institute would like to thank everyone who makes this inspiring event happen: participants, event committee, donors, sponsors, and all who volunteered their time and energy to make this such a great success.

Breast Health Institute held the 2nd annual 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Walk on Father's Day, June 20th, 2004, to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer. The familial associations of risk with both breast and prostate cancer, along with other links and parallels, have inspired BHI to select Father's Day as the annual date for Run for Your Life!

The Breast Health Institute held its annual Give the Shirt Off Your Back gala at the Hyatt at Penn's Landing. Fashion Designer Narciso Rodriguez not only donated several pieces to the silent auction, but made a special in-person appearance too, to the delight of the guests - many fashionistas among the crowd. The auction and ticket proceeds all went to help fund breast cancer research and support.

The Breast Health Institute continues to expand its role as a catalyst to a cure for breast cancer through the establishment of a unique multidisciplinary Fellowship program in breast diseases rotating through three area academic medical centers. Rotations will include surgery, pathology and breast imaging training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, radiation oncology training at Drexel University School of Medicine and medical oncology training at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.

Penn's Medical School has joined two other area universities in a multi-part fellowship program designed to enhance the training of breast cancer surgeons. Run by the Breast Health Institute, a Philadelphia-based research foundation, the year-long fellowship is granted to one person annually.

Deputy City Representative Bonnie Grant has a special appreciation for the work of the Breast Health Institute of Philadelphia. In her capacity as Mayor John F. Street's liaison she sees directly the efficiency with which the nonprofit group organizes its special events in the city.

In April 2003, The Breast Health Institute invited global leaders in breast cancer treatment to convene for BHI's Fourth International Consensus Conference in Philadelphia. The purpose of this a three-day meeting was to develop guidelines for usage of a particular mode of breast cancer treatment-in this case neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in advanced breast disease.
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The Breast Health Institute is spreading its wings worldwide to promote innovative breast cancer research and educational programs. The 12 year-old, Philadelphia-based, non-profit is returning to its original mission of facilitating breast cancer research internationally through three means: 1) Consensus Conferences, 2) local and international fellowships and 3) direct research grants.
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