Breast Care Foundation

​​​​THE PROBLEM:

Kentucky has one of the highest rates of breast cancer mortality in the U.S., largely due to late detection caused by:

• lack of patients' access to quality care (especially in underserved areas),

• insurance and financial obstacles for patients.

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Our Solution Approach:

We enable access to affordable, quality breast imaging services (only done by fellowship-trained breast subspecialists) in underserved geographic areas, to reduce the risk of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis. 

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Our Activities:

This foundation's activities are 100% focused on enabling subspecialist breast care within "health care deserts" (underserved geographic areas where there is a lack of affordable subspecialist care options for people within those communities).  Funds from this foundation will ONLY be directed to clinics that meet all of the following criteria:

1. Outpatient clinics (where the cost of medical care is at least 30% less than hospital-owned facilities).

2. Only breast subspecialists (fellowship-trained MDs) and subspecialist-trained staff provide the medical care (to ensure consistency, compliance with medical care guidelines and quality care). 

3. Clinics that have subspecialists "on staff" for 90% of services provided, (as opposed to using "locum tenants" or MDs temporarily stationed, who do not have as strong of a long-term commitment to the local community).

4. Clinics that are located in underserved geographical areas, that have difficulty attracting top medical talent, technologies or service.

 

Within Kentucky, the foundation will subsidize outpatient clinics that meet the criteria above.  All funds received by this foundation will be allocated to subsidize staff training, specialized equipment purchase or maintenance, operations, and staff salaries (to be competitive with rural hospitals which receive special funding from state legislation). 

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Our activities directly advance our exempt purpose of improving access to essential health care services for underserved populations. By providing affordable mammography and ultrasound imaging services, education on breast health, and early detection programs, we address critical health disparities and reduce barriers to preventive care (which also reduces the overall cost of health care). These activities align with our charitable mission to promote health and well-being and mitigate economic and geographic obstacles to care, which enables early detection of breast cancer, as well as avoids or minimizes the costs of corrective treatment (or death).

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Impact:

​Via the results achieved at Kentucky Breast Care & Somerset Family Imaging: since 2012, hundreds of lives have been saved via enabling access to subspecialist breast care in rural areas within KY.  As this video report from NBC Nightly News demonstrates... access to subspecialist care has a large impact on patient survival rates, especially in rural, underserved areas. 

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Financial Transparency:

​We are dedicated to fiscal responsibility, showing how all funds are allocated.  All funds raised comply with IRS standards and go directly to patient care and program services.  Any funds allocated to a clinic must be able to be accountable and traceable to patient benefits.  Thus, donors can be assured that their investment creates lasting change in our community. 

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Organizing Statements, Governance & ByLaws:​​

Purpose:  This private foundation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

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By Laws:

• Name: The Foundation for Breast Care, DBA: Breast Care Foundation

• Address: 100 Sarahs Lane, Somerset KY 42503

• Phone: 606-219-4465 (direct line to CFO)

• Leadership and Board of Directors meets annually (or as needed) and consists of:

• CEO: Andrea Woodroof, MD;  CFO: Eric Woodroof, PhD;  Secretary: David King; 2 additional board members TBD.

• The CEO is the control authority and makes decisions for this foundation, but as a "check and balance" measure, the CEO is at service to the board and may be replaced if underperforming.

• Meeting Guidelines and Voting Procedures: 3 Board Members are required for a quorum and majority is required for a vote.

• Board Members are nominated by the existing board members and once approved, can serve a term of 3 years.

• Conflict of Interests Policy: requires those with a conflict (or who think they may have a conflict) to disclose the conflict/potential conflict, and prohibit interested board members from voting on any matter in which there is a conflict.

• Bookkeeping & Misc: Calendar Year Reporting, audited by a 3rd party.

• In the event of dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.​

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