About CBCF

What is the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF)?

The Cure Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. was created to raise funds for breast cancer research under the direction of noted oncologist and the Foundation’s Scientific Advisor, Dr. Larry Norton, at the world-renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and other national and international research facilities. Dr. Larry Norton is the Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Medical Director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center. CBCF is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 foundation.

How was CBCF Founded?

CBCF is a product of one child’s dedication to her mother’s cause. The genesis of CBCF can be traced to Carly Abramson of New Jersey after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Carly, who was 12 years old at the time, made her mother a beaded key ring as a comfort gift. Fueled by love for her mother and undaunted by the challenges, Carly, decided to sell the key rings in the name of breast cancer research through BCA Creations, an organization she founded. By the end of 2007, as a result of the sale of the beaded key rings, initially intended as a comfort gift for her mother, Carly donated more than $10,000 to Dr. Larry Norton and colleagues at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Proving that a small initiative could make a world of a difference, Carly’s father, Andrew Abramson, was convinced that anything that can be done to advance the progress being made in cancer research should be a priority and that funds for research were a critical factor in furthering this work; Andrew was determined to use his financial expertise to do whatever he could to aid the cause – and creating a foundation through which these funds could be channeled seemed to be the best way to proceed. As a result, in December 2007, Carly founded the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) with help from her father, Andrew Abramson, President and Chief Executive Office of Value Companies, Inc., a leading real estate development, investment, and management company based in Clifton, New Jersey.

What will funds raised by CBCF be used for?

CBCF donates 100% of its net fundraising proceeds to support the research of Dr. Larry Norton and colleagues at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and other national and international research facilities on the growth and spreading of breast cancer cells known as the Self-Seeding Theory of Breast Cancer.

Groundbreaking work funded by CBCF is revolutionizing the way we understand and treat breast cancer. The Self-Seeding Theory, conceived by Dr. Larry Norton, in collaboration with Dr. Joan Massagué, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, provides radically new insight into how breast cancer grows and spreads. Dr. Norton feels this is one of the most exciting new research ideas in the quest to cure breast cancer. Mounting evidence from this pioneering research is translating a theory into life-saving treatments.

CBCF is the primary source of funding for the research of the theory of Self-Seeding by Dr. Larry Norton and his colleagues. It is also the sole funding for a large study in Israel that seeks to define and identify the self-seeding link between osteoporosis and breast cancer.

Donations to CBCF fund innovative research, which could dramatically change the treatment for breast cancer in the future. Significant progress has been accomplished and will proceed thanks to CBCF support. A Cure is within reach. There is much to be done. You can help.

“The freedom afforded by the flexible funding from the CBCF has encouraged novel explorations that would not have been possible others.”Dr. Larry Norton

What is the Self-Seeding Theory of Breast Cancer?

One of the key problems with breast cancer cells—perhaps the most important problem—is their ability to move and start new cancers growing, not only in distant organs like the bones and liver (called metastases), but in the breast itself. This behavior is “self seeding,” recalling the way weeds take over a garden: not by the growth of each individual weed plant but by the seeding of new weed plants that grow in a confluent fashion. By this concept a breast cancer is not one mass but a collection of contiguous smaller masses.This method of growth is indeed true in certain experimental models and research is ongoing to prove that it happens in people as well. It explains many aspects of cancer: rapid growth, disorganization, formation of new blood vessels, need to irradiate a breast after lumpectomy for cancer, and the association of all of the above with distant metastases. If correct, it will provide new targets for the development of drugs to treat and prevent cancer. Since “seeding” is an abnormal process—as opposed to the normal process of mitosis—such drugs may not only be more effective but less toxic as well. Hence, the concept of self-seeding is not only interesting from the point of view of biology, but also possibly very important in the design of better approaches to cancer management, prevention, and cure.

How does CBCF differ from other philanthropic organizations devoted to breast cancer research?

Other organizations raise money for breast cancer research in general; by contrast, funds raised by CBCF will be devoted entirely to research by Dr. Larry Norton and colleagues at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and other national and international research facilities on the growth and spreading of breast cancer cells known as the theory of Self-Seeding. This research focuses on improving the understanding of not only breast cancer, but also other cancers; thereby, helping to improve and understand how to better manage and treat these diseases.

Who will oversee CBCF?

The Cure Breast Cancer Foundation’s Board of Trustees consists of Leslye Schulman (Executive Director), Andrew and Lisa Abramson, Carly Abramson (Founder), Marc Lenner, Matthew and Lauren Mirman, Patrick M, Mucci, Jr., Pam Lipkin Sauertig, John and Linda Schupper, David and Heather Symons, and Trey and Yris Lindsay.