Bay Area Cancer Connections

Bay Area Cancer Connections (BACC) is the region's largest nonprofit educator and support network serving those affected by breast and ovarian cancer. We offer a wide range of free, personalized services designed to inform and empower individuals, including emotional support, cancer education, therapies, and more. In addition, BACC provides low-income, uninsured women and men with access to critical screening and diagnostic services for breast health issues.

Since 1993 BCC has been providing free programs and services to those touched by breast cancer. A sample of the programs and services we offer includes: Special presentations that address specific cancer topics/issues/advances. A boutique offering free wigs, hats, breast prostheses, bras, swimsuits, and more- with complimentary fittings. Online and in-center research resources. An annual, educational conference featuring innovators and leaders in breast and ovarian cancer care and research. Personalized assistance understanding a diagnosis by our on staff PhD and a medical resource library. The BCC helpline – staffed primarily by volunteers, 90% of whom are survivors, this service provides medical information, emotional support and referrals to other services and resources in the client’s community. Peer support through the Buddy program which pairs clients with someone who has gone through a similar cancer experience. More than 12 types of support groups and individual counseling with a licensed therapist specializing in cancer-related therapies. Personalized assistance with on-the-job issues related to breast cancer, including insurance concerns and employment benefits. Survivorship programs that offer resources, opportunities and ongoing workshops for breast cancer survivors and their support networks. Special weekly programs and events that include nutritional programs, exercise classes, alternative therapies and general support for individuals at each stage treatment and survivorship.

In 2018 we served over 1,400 individuals which included: * 6,620 interactions with clients. * 2,950 visits were made to our group sessions and classes. * __ of those people were new clients to our BACC community *249 people received free wigs, hats, scarves, and more *250 people attended our annual Cancer Conference *186 people had one-on-one consultations with our Medical Research Specialist *36 special presentations throughout the year provided cutting-edge information to our clients *Volunteers gave 4487.92 hours of their time to BACC this last year alone

BACC remains unique in its ability to tailor its services to each client, offering a combination of high-quality medical information, practical help and emotional support in a non-institutional setting. BACC complements the medical care that patients receive from their physicians and provides a safety net for low income, uninsured young women and men at risk. BACC’s programs aim to ensure that no one faces cancer alone and that each person is connected with the resources that best serve his or her needs. BACC recognizes that every person touched by cancer experiences the illness differently and therefore continually adapts its programs and services to serve a range of needs, be they emotional, informational, or access to care.