Reviewed by: Patience Itson
4.5K women in Alabama will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year—here’s what you can do now
Reading time: 4 minutes
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According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA), 1 in 8 US women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. This means an estimated 4,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in Alabama.
Keep reading to learn more about the BCRFA and how YOU can help fund local, lifesaving breast cancer research with the breast cancer research specialty license plate.
Over 25 years of funding research, saving lives
Nearly 30 years ago, Dolly O’Neal and Bruce Sokol connected through their shared experience with breast cancer. Dolly was an 18-month breast cancer survivor and Bruce’s wife D.D. was undergoing breast cancer treatment in the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. In 1996, fueled by their mutual passion to fight breast cancer, they co-founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama with a mission to help find a cure for breast cancer by funding promising breast cancer research in Alabama.
Since then, the BCRFA has invested over $14 million in local, lifesaving breast cancer research across the state.
Funding from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama allows Alabama research institutes to:
- Attract world-class breast cancer researchers
- Make groundbreaking discoveries
- Compete for and receive sustaining grant dollars from major national funders
Join the fight with the breast cancer research specialty license plate
An easy way to support research while showing you’re passionate about the fight against breast cancer is with the breast cancer research specialty license plate. All proceeds from the license plate support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama’s mission to fund research right here in Alabama.
Here are some important things to know about the breast cancer research specialty tag:
- BCRFA receives $41.25 of the annual $50 annual fee.
- It debuted in 2006 and has raised $5.26 million for local lifesaving research.
- It’s one of the top 10 most popular specialty plates in Alabama.
- It generates over half a million dollars in annual revenue for the BCRFA’s mission.
People see the message every single day
Many people with the breast cancer research license plate have a personal connection to the disease and pay tribute to a loved one with their tag. We spoke with three women about the personal stories behind their tag:
Hope Bosworth joined the BCRFA’s Board of Directors earlier this year. She lost her sister-in-law, Suzie, to triple negative breast cancer. Her entire family can be spotted around town with a variety of research specialty license plates personalized with initials and messages to remember their loved family member.
“The license plate is a message that you are helping find the cure and honoring your family, friends and loved ones. Supporting the BCRFA with a license plate is an easy way to give money for vital research because everyone has to have a license plate.”
Freda Lewis, a longtime BCRFA volunteer, had a niece and friend pass away from breast cancer. Both deaths were devastating so she jumped at the opportunity to be able to support research funding with a tag. Freda spent 22 years working at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB in the clinical research unit where cancer clinical trials are developed. She saw first-hand how the millions of dollars raised goes DIRECTLY to breast cancer research right here in Alabama.
“I will continue to buy the tag because I know BCRFA is doing what they say they do with the money they generate.”
Cheryl Morton is a survivor of breast cancer and also lost her mom to the disease. Finding a cure is something near and dear to her heart. She even worked to build awareness about the importance of research before she was diagnosed herself. Cheryl is a dedicated volunteer for the organization and serves on the planning committee for Pink Palace Casino Night.
“I really believe in the BCRFA and I am inspired by all the people I work with.”
How to get a tag
To get your tag, visit your local DMV and ask for the BREAST CANCER RESEARCH specialty license plate.
- Renewals can be completed annually online or via mail.
- Available for cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats.
- Personalization is FREE.
Your support makes a difference
Thank you to everyone who is funding lifesaving breast cancer research. Knowing researchers are constantly searching for a cure provides hope for families.
Support or honor a loved one affected by breast cancer with the breast cancer research specialty license plate or make a donation to the BCRFA today.
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