PLATINUM2023

Breast and GYN Health Project

Information, support and hope

aka BGHP   |   Arcata, CA   |  www.bghp.org

Mission

Vision Statement:
Every member of our North Coast community will have access to a seamless network of care and feel supported and empowered when facing a breast or gynecologic cancer concern.

Mission Statement:
Breast and GYN Health Project is a grassroots community resource for those facing breast or gynecologic cancer concerns.
We promote healthy survivorship through information, hope, and healing support, while encouraging each person to become their own best medical advocate.
We advocate within our community to address breast and gynecologic cancer concerns responsibly and holistically.
We are cancer survivors and support persons healing through service and bearing witness to others.

Notes from the nonprofit

The Breast and GYN Health Project (BGHP) provides valuable cancer support resources to people on California's rural north coast. All the services are free. Staff and volunteers provide a broad range of support - from helping people find free mammograms, to supporting people when they have a breast lump or gynecologic cancer concerns, through cancer treatment, and beyond. One very special fact about BGHP is that our staff includes nurses and physician medical consultants, who are cancer survivors, providing high-quality education and information. Warmline Volunteers who are primarily cancer survivors are at the heart of our compassionate support team. Peer support of cancer survivors helping people facing cancer can help transform people's lives. As a grassroots organization, we are not an affiliate of a larger cancer organization. BGHP's free services over the past 26 years have primarily come from the generous contributions from local, grassroots, individuals and businesses.

Ruling year info

2003

Executive Director

Ms. Rose Gale-Zoellick

Main address

987 8th St

Arcata, CA 95521 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

Humboldt Community Breast Health Project

HCBHP

EIN

65-1205183

NTEE code info

Cancer (G30)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Cancer concerns cause fear, confusion, denial, grief, and many other reactions which can get in the way of diagnosis, treatment and healing. There are many people for whom access to medical care is a major barrier due to transportation, lack of health care coverage, cultural barriers, language barriers, and more. Although great strides have been made in cancer treatment, the emotional impacts of cancer remain the same as they have been for decades, particularly for people who live alone. In rural communities, cancer care is not coordinated for patients, as it maybe in more urban healthcare settings. Patient navigation, education, compassionate support, help with access to resources and peer support are key components to addressing the barriers listed.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Support Groups

BGHP has six support groups:
* Arcata Breast Cancer Support Group
* Gynecologic Cancer Support Group
* Advanced Disease Support Group
* Young Women's Support Group
* Breast Cancer Support Group for Spanish-speakers
* Lymphoma & Blood Cancers group meets at BGHP

Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses
Adults
Economically disadvantaged people

Warmline Volunteers, many of whom are cancer survivors themselves, greet and welcome people who call BGHP or walk into our drop-in center. These trained and dedicated volunteers stay in contact with clients as they travel their cancer journeys to help them navigate the system, provide health literacy, information about resources, and provide compassionate listening so clients know they are not alone.

Population(s) Served
Adults
People with diseases and illnesses
Older adults
Seniors
Young adults

Trained staff, generally an MD or RN, who are cancer survivors meet with clients who are about to face an important medical visit where medical decisions will be made. The staff help clients identify their questions, concerns, values, etc. so they can make the most of their time in the visit with the physician. We have a Spanish-speaking Navigator to assist Latinx clients.

Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses

BGHP has a large lending library with books, CDs and DVDs. The topics in the library range from clinical resources to nutrition, and stress reduction to spirituality, books about how to talk to children of all ages and resources for family and friends. We offer some books in Spanish also.

Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses

BGHP has a retired professor who is a cancer survivor, who monitors the latest research and compiles information in our electronic library. She performs customized research for clients about topics of interest.

Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses

Support for people facing breast and GYN cancers as they negotiate the healthcare system, from coaching to direct assistance contacting healthcare provider offices. Services as also offered by BGHP's Spanish-speaking Navigator.

Population(s) Served
People with diseases and illnesses
Adults

Speaking to groups of people about breast and gynecologic cancer facts and figures, how these affect people in our community and resources to help. Health fair tabling and information in the media are also part of this program. We have a spanish-speaking staff person with deep connections to the local Latinx community.

Population(s) Served
Adults

Where we work

Awards

Friends Make Good Medicine 2012

United Indian Health Services

Organization of the Year 2011

League of Women Voters (Humboldt County)

Survivor Circle Award 2014

American Society of Radiation Oncology

Non-Profit Leader of the Year 2019

Kiwanis of Henderson Center

Affiliations & memberships

Kiwanis of Eureka - Henderson Center 2019

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of clients served

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adults, People with diseases and illnesses

Related Program

Patient Navigation

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

In 2022, the number of clients who received services increased as the COVID-19 pandemic receded. 2023 has been busier We are also receiving more formal, direct referrals from healthcare providers

Number of individuals attending community events or trainings

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adults

Related Program

Community Health Education and Outreach

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

In 2022, as our community began to open up as COVID-19 declined, in-person health education tabling and presentation opportunities increased. We were able to reach more people as the year progressed

Number of participants engaged in programs

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

People with diseases and illnesses

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

These are the total numbers services BGHP provided to individual clients annually

Number of first-time donors

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

In 2020 AND 2021, all in-person fundraising events were cancelled due to COVID-19. In 2022, we saw a slight increase, and want to create more new accounts as donors provide contact information.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Our goals for 2022:
80% of all women newly diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancer will receive support and information from the Breast and GYN Health Project

Assist at least 50 low-income women needing financial assistance with information and referrals to financial resources.

Strategy 1: Because most of BGHP's referrals come from family and friends, get the word out about BGHP services via presentations to groups throughout the region, attend health fairs, via social media and through BGHP's bi-annual newsletter.

Strategy 2: Because BGHP's second most common referral resource is healthcare providers, conduct targeted communications to primary care, surgeons and oncology practices to provide them information and tools for referrals.

BGHP offers a highly experienced, technically competent team to meet our mission to assist our local community as its members face breast or gynecologic cancer. Experienced RN Co-Client Services Director, Experienced Co-Client Services Director specializing in Young Women, and our Physician Medical Consultant work with trained peer support volunteers to assist clients with cancer concerns or cancer diagnoses. The Executive Director has over 20 years experience with resources for cancer patients and local health care providers.

BGHP's staff work closely with client's medical teams - primary care, local oncology and out of area oncology - to help patients try to have the best outcome possible. The Physician Medical Consultant attends many of the weekly tumor boards. The Executive Director attends the locally accredited cancer program's quarterly cancer committee meetings.

During COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022), as an essential service, BGHP provided services to clients in-person as well as offering volunteers/staff to work from home. Established clients experienced tremendous support which went uninterrupted. Initially BGHP's new client numbers dropped, as people had trouble accessing care and declined to seek care in the early part of the pandemic.

As of May 2023, BGHP is now seeing new client numbers monthly which are exceeding 2019 numbers. BGHP is on track to assist over 400 local people (our clients) facing breast or gynecologic cancer concerns. This shows BGHP's impact, because recent California Cancer Registry estimates are that about 100 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40 women with gynecologic (uterine and cervical) cancers annually in Humboldt and Del Norte counties combines. Most of these clients we assist are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, rather than a concern. The primary referral source is friends and family, followed by referrals from local medical providers.

Here are some specific outcomes from 2022:
* 525 patient navigation services were provided to clients to help them access not only medical services, but financial and social services resources too.

* 156 support group sessions were held of eight different groups. There were 489 support group attendees over the course of the year.

* 35 people with cancer concerns received decision support/ medical visit consultations with BGHP's Medical Consultant to help them become better educated about their diagnosis and treatment options.

* 65 special medical record binders were given out to people newly diagnosed with cancer

* 36 women sought help to obtain a free wig, breast prosthesis, bra, scarf, etc. Many more received referrals to professionals who could help them use their health coverage to obtain brand new prosthetics and wigs.

* Over 25 people with breast or gynecologic cancer received a specially-decorated ChemoKit bag filled with useful items to help them as they underwent chemotherapy.

Collaboration with local health care providers: In Fall 2022, BGHP's medical consultant provided an inservice to the largest safety net primary care clinic (Open Door)about their role to help breast and gyn cancer patients. We also met with two lead nurses from the local medical oncology program, and have done in-person presentations to a large surgical practice and large GYN practice. After this presentation, we have seen an increase in referrals and improved collaboration to help local cancer patients get better care.

Every Spring and Fall, BGHP distributes packets of useful resource information over 75 medical offices and hospitals in our region. There is material specifically for patients as well as for health care providers about BGHP support services, local resources for low-income women and referral forms. We regularly hear clients say that they picked up this information at their doctors' offices.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time

Financials

Breast and GYN Health Project
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Breast and GYN Health Project

Board of directors
as of 05/07/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Ms. Ann Jadro-Bettiga

Coast Central Credit Union

Term: 2018 - 2023

Jacque Futoran

Retired Business Owner & Massage Therapist

Glenn Hurlburt

Retired Engineer with Cal Trans

Lancey Johnston

RN, Cardiovascular Lab Supervisor, Providence St. Joseph Health, Eureka

Genie Brady

Human Resources Asst, SN Servicing

Celena Donahue

Health Consultant

Kandyce Rose

Patient Access Representative, GI Clinic, Heritage Health Group

Gary Ogle

Self Employed, Gary Ogle Insurance Services, LLC

Betty Cortes Garcia

Oncology Nurse, Providence St. Joseph Hospital

Sabrina Delashmutt

Special Projects Coordinator, Marimba One

Becky Giacomini

Retired Assistant Superintendent of Business, Fortuna Elementary School District

Fatima Griffith

Retired Health Care Administrator

Priscilla Lynn

Director of Oncology and Infusion Services, Providence St. Joseph Hospital

Spencer Pena

Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley

Karen Roemke

Retired Hospice Medical Social Work Director

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 5/7/2023

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.

Equity strategies

Last updated: 07/10/2022

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.