Dear Friends in Prevention,
Every day, families across Massachusetts are confronted with the devastating impact of breast cancer, not only as a disease that claims lives but as a legacy of loss that echoes through generations. One story that brings this reality into sharp focus is that of my 8-year-old grandson, CJ.
This past summer, during a family trip to Cape Cod, CJ asked repeatedly to visit his grandmother’s grave. She passed away in 1998 at the young age of 46, when CJ’s mother—my daughter—was just 17. Her name was Nancy. She was a devoted Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) activist and volunteer whose passion for prevention continues to inspire us.
CJ has grown up never having known his grandmother, but the fact that they share the same birthday makes their connection all the more meaningful. When we arrived at the cemetery, he ran to her headstone, wrapped his little arms around it, and through tears cried out:
“I wish I could have met you! It’s not fair that I didn’t get to meet you.”
His words were heartbreaking—a vivid reminder that the death of a mother, grandmother, sister, or daughter is never a loss felt by one alone. It reverberates across time, leaving children, grandchildren, and entire communities grieving for the moments and memories that should have been.
CJ’s grief is not unique. It represents the thousands of children in Massachusetts and beyond who are growing up without loved ones lost too soon to breast cancer. This is why MBCC’s mission is so vital.
I share this story with you to respectfully ask for your financial support to sustain and grow this crucial work – work that also offers hope of reducing risks for other diseases and serious health conditions linked to toxic exposures.
Through community education, advocacy for cutting-edge scientific research, and pressing for systemic change in public policy, MBCC is fighting for the health of current and future generations. We are committed to shining a light on the preventable nature of breast cancer and demanding the protections our families deserve.
Breast cancer is not only a personal tragedy. It is a public health crisis. But prevention efforts remain underfunded and public awareness remains far too limited. MBCC is committed to changing that.
Your investment in MBCC is an investment in a safer, stronger Massachusetts; one where future generations will not have to suffer the way CJ and so many others have. It is a step toward ending a disease that takes too many lives, too soon.
I urge you to consider making a donation to MBCC today to acknowledge the far-reaching impact breast cancer has on families across our Commonwealth and to reaffirm your support for prevention-focused solutions that can change the future.
Thank you for your time, your compassion, and your commitment to protecting the health and future of our communities.
Sincerely,
Gerry Swift
Board of Directors
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition