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Nonprofit Suppor ts Breast Cancer Patients During Difficult Times B Y R E N E E B R I N C K S D uring her seven years with the all-volun- teer Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey County (BCAG), Susan Greenbaum has watched women make daunting deci- sions—often while navigating difficult financial circumstances. "A woman typically has to take time off work, or quit entirely, while going through treatments," says Greenbaum. "Families might struggle to keep a roof over their heads, and they just need some assistance as they create a plan." BCAG created an emergency need-based grant program to help such individuals cover rent, food and other basic expenses during breast cancer treatment and recovery. The non- profit distributed nearly $90,000 to 75 local women in 2015 alone. These efforts take place 20 years after four breast cancer survivors formed BCAG. Their early advocacy and fundraising efforts helped establish the Breast Care Center at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) in 2002, along with CHOMP's Patient Navigator Program that pairs newly diagnosed individuals with cancer survivors who can lend perspective. "The women we serve range from age 21 to 81," says Greenbaum, who faced her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2005. "We're really proud to support them with 100 percent of every dollar we raise." The Breast Cancer Assistance Group of Monterey County holds its annual bowl-a-thon fundraiser on March 18. For details, or to donate, visit www.bcagmc.org. SHORTCUTS GIVING BACK The Breast Cancer Assistance Group is run with the support of Jane Sullivan, Lucy Bradford, and Susan Greenbaum and serves women undergoing cancer treatment. 84 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 Photo: Kelli Uldall