In 1991, the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) was formed with one mission – an end to breast cancer. NBCC has accomplished much over its twenty plus years – bringing about unprecedented research funding to the worldwide scientific community, forging new collaborations to design research and set priorities, expanding access to information and care to underserved women and launching unparalleled training programs to prepare advocates around the globe to work side by side with scientists, policy makers and health care providers. Yet breast cancer continues to take lives.

To renew the sense of urgency to its mission and to refocus global efforts on ending breast cancer and saving lives, the NBCC has set a deadline – End breast cancer by January 1, 2020,

Breast Cancer Deadline 2020®.
NBCC has a strategic plan of action to achieve the deadline. The plan focuses on primary prevention, stopping women from getting breast cancer and understanding and preventing metastasis (the spread of cancer), which is responsible for 90% of breast cancer deaths. This means by January 1, 2020, we must understand how to prevent people from getting breast cancer in the first place and how to prevent them from dying from the disease.

RESEARCH – Facilitate collaboration in all areas and minimize unnecessary competition.

First Pilot Artemis Project® 
The topic chosen was a 5-year development plan for a breast cancer preventive vaccine, because of the potential impact on breast cancer and the progress made in the field of immunology. A research plan is in place, teams have been identified and the plan is being implemented. This vaccine project will serve as a model for other catalytic projects.

Future catalytic projects - Plans include the role of viruses in the initiation, development or spread of breast cancer; the role of inflammation in breast cancer; targeting the immune system to prevent breast cancer development  or metastasis; the role of lifestyle and other external exposures in initiation and progression of breast cancer; and identifying the windows when women are most vulnerable to breast cancer development and metastasis.

Refine existing research infrastructure – form a collaboration to identify problems that impede progress within the research infrastructure and design solutions to move the existing systems to focus on making progress toward the Breast Cancer Deadline 2020®.

CHANGING THE CONVERSATION – Focus on research to prevent breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month has come and gone. Press coverage included articles about local runs, survivor stories and reminders to get mammograms, but there was a noticeable focus on research to end breast cancer. Congresswoman Shelly Capito delivered a speech from the floor of the House of Representatives imploring her colleagues to support the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act.

Locally, Beyond Pink TEAM advocates talked about Breast Cancer Deadline 2020® on radio. And in social media, #BCD2020 is a trending topic on Twitter.

To learn more about Breast Cancer Deadline 2020®, the Artemis Project, or the National Breast Cancer Coalition check out; breastcancerdeadline2020.org

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by Jacque Bakker

On November 25, 2009 at age 46, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I never felt alone, my family went through this journey with me. I was given so much strength, support and encouragement from friends and family. I was fortunate to receive excellent health care from the doctors and nurses who cared for me.

Through treatment, I tried to keep my life as normal as possible. I was able to work and exercise most days. This made me feel emotionally and physically healthy. On April 15, 2010 I was listed as a participant to run the Boston Marathon!  I did not show up at the starting line – cancer cancelled that day. Fourteen months after my diagnosis I could start training again. I re-qualified for the2013 Boston Marathon. I ran in the 2013 Boston Marathon and it made me feel like "we" had beat cancer. I say "we" because this was made possible by the support of family and friends who surrounded me.

I have connected with many cancer survivors through this time in my life who have become wonderful friends. I have also met many others who are not cancer patients, but generous people who are supportive in making a difference in cancer patients lives. I joined the Beyond Pink TEAM in March of 2012 as a volunteer member. This amazing group provides so much for persons facing a cancer diagnosis, and have role models who exemplify what the word advocacy means.

I wanted to be an advocate, and in May 2012 I was able to attend the National Breast Cancer Coalition's Annual Advocate Summit. The days were filled with research updates, prevention, overcoming barriers and making ending breast cancer a national priority. One of the workshops I attended was Breast Cancer Vaccine Research, the speaker was Keith Knutson, Ph.D. Hearing the update on how these efforts were progressing was great news. When I returned home, I contacted the Mayo Clinic, spoke with a Clinical Trial Referral Coordinator, and asked to be put on a list as a potential participant for a vaccine trial. I wanted to be part of this progress!

In February 2013, I was enrolled as a participant in a Phase 1 Vaccine Trial. I received a vaccine monthly for 6 months. This study will last up to 30 months with intermittent blood work, tests and physical exams. The purpose of this study is to look at the safety and immune response to a vaccine used in patients previously treated for HER2 positive breast cancer. My hope is that a vaccine will become available in the future to prevent recurrence of breast cancer.

I am now four years out from my diagnosis of breast cancer, and have gained a lot from so many. At the beginning of my journey, a breast cancer survivor told me, “Be Brave, Stay Strong, and Live Life”. That has been good advice for me.