By
Alycia O'Dell

Breast cancer is the world’s most prevalent cancer. In fact, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the disease globally in 2020 alone. In the US, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. And although less common, men are at risk too: about 1 in 833 men in the US will develop the disease. Fortunately, organizations around the world are working to help those affected by breast cancer and find innovative treatments for the disease. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight breast cancer?

The best charities that fight breast cancer are the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Charities such as BreastCancer.org and the Young Survival Coalition work to ensure everyone affected by breast cancer is educated and empowered throughout their journey.

Whether you want to fund cutting-edge research to better understand and treat breast cancer, ensure that newly diagnosed women and men have access to crucial resources, or support a community of hope for those in the advanced stages of the disease, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that fight breast cancer are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution. 

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Fight Breast Cancer Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements.

They operate primarily throughout the US and Canada, but some fight breast cancer internationally.

Many of these charities focus on advancing research to find the best treatments to end breast cancer. Others focus on bringing patients together for strength and solidarity.

Some provide educational resources so women and men feel empowered as they fight the disease, while others provide guidance and support to alleviate the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Yet, they all share a common goal; to fight breast cancer.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Fight Breast Cancer in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that fight breast cancer (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

National Breast Cancer Foundation: Support Through All Stages

Charity Navigator gives the National Breast Cancer Foundation a 4-star rating. GuideStar gives the charity a Platinum rating for transparency. 

“Helping women now.”

National Breast Cancer Foundation

The National Breast Cancer Foundation fights breast cancer by offering innovative programs to support women facing the disease at all stages, from early detection and diagnosis to survivorship. For example, their National Mammography Program provides free screening and diagnostic breast care services to women in need. Furthermore, their Metastatic Breast Cancer Retreats offer women living with late-stage breast cancer a chance to increase their knowledge and find hope among their peers. In addition, they provide Breast Health Education to empower women to take control of their health.

Since their founding, the National Breast Cancer Foundation has impacted thousands of women throughout their breast cancer journeys. For example, since 2012, they have provided over 192,000 mammograms, 858,000 patient navigation services, and more than 240,000 breast health education services to women in need. In 2020 alone, they hosted 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer Retreats, serving 36 patients and their caregivers.

You can donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation via their website. You can also volunteer to pack HOPE Kits for breast cancer patients, or you can fundraise for the charity.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: A Legacy of Hope

Charity Navigator gives Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation a 3-star rating. GuideStar gives the charity a Gold rating for transparency. 

“Where the end of breast cancer begins.”

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation fights breast cancer on multiple fronts including research, community health, global outreach, and advocacy. For example, the charity funds research into the most aggressive and deadly forms of breast cancer, such as metastatic breast cancer, to promote better understanding and treatment. Furthermore, they work to eliminate disparities in health equity by funding community grants that support programs serving low-income, minority, and uninsured women in high-risk areas, and by advocating for policies that ensure access to high-quality care across populations. 

Since their founding, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has invested nearly $1.1 billion in breast cancer research, financing more than 2,700 studies and over 500 clinical trials. This resulted in more than 3,000 discoveries and advancements in breast cancer care. They have also invested more than $2.3 billion in patient support services, serving millions of patients in over 60 countries. And, their Center for Public Policy works to secure more than $1 billion for breast cancer research and safety net programs at federal and state levels each year.

You can donate to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation via their website. You can also fundraise through one of their events, such as a race or walk, or a pickleball tournament. In addition, you can join their advocacy efforts.

BreastCancer.org: Empowerment through Education

Charity Navigator gives Breastcancer.org a 4-star rating. GuideStar gives the charity a Gold rating for transparency. 

“Trusted guidance when you need us most. Because no one should face breast cancer alone.”

Breastcancer.org

BreastCancer.org is a one-stop shop of vital information for people affected by breast cancer. Their site contains over 700 pages of original content, providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information on breast health and breast cancer treatment options. All of the content is expert-reviewed in consultation with a Professional Advisory Board made up of professionals ranging from radiation oncologists and plastic surgeons to social workers and insurance experts. So, all aspects of a patient’s journey are covered. Furthermore, BreastCancer.org hosts a community of peer support, where users can connect with one another to share experiences and advice.

Since their founding, BreastCancer.org has helped more than 193 million people around the world to navigate their journey with breast cancer. For example, in 2021 alone, their site received over 69,000 visits a day, totaling more than 25 million visits for the year. Furthermore, over 230,000 users have participated in their community support discussion boards, covering 160,000 topics related to breast cancer.

You can donate to BreastCancer.org via their website. You can also join the community to share your experience and advice with others.

Young Survival Coalition: Resources and Community for Young Adults

Charity Navigator gives Young Survival Coalition a 3-star rating. GuideStar gives the charity a Gold rating for transparency.

“Fight fear with knowledge. Take it from young adults who have been there.”

Young Survival Coalition

The Young Survival Coalition empowers young adults to fight against breast cancer by providing them with knowledge, community, and a voice. Their educational resources help young adults learn about the disease and how it affects them differently than those diagnosed at a later age. For example, their Fertility and Family Planning resources cover topics like fertility preservation for newly diagnosed women and options after treatment. Furthermore, they build community among young adults affected by breast cancer through individual and group support, and conferences. Moreover, their advocacy efforts ensure that young people are represented in breast cancer research and legislation.

Since their founding, the Young Survival Coalition has impacted the lives of thousands of young adults affected by breast cancer. For example, in 2019, they conducted the first-ever worldwide assessment to identify the needs of young people with breast cancer. In the same year, over 84,000 people participated in their online community of support, and 716 people attended the YSC Summit conference.

You can donate to the Young Survival Coalition via their website. You can also advocate for representation in research and legislation, or attend a conference.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Investing in the Cure

Charity Navigator gives the Breast Cancer Research Foundation a 3-star rating. GuideStar gives the charity a Gold rating for transparency. 

“Research is the reason.”

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation fights breast cancer by providing critical funding for research. Recognizing the complexity of the disease, they support different areas of focus to ensure they are investigating it from all angles. For example, their tumor biology research studies the anatomy of cancerous tumors to better understand how they react to different treatments. In addition, their heredity and genetics research focuses on how family history, race, and ethnicity impact one’s breast cancer risk. 

Since their founding, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has raised over $1 billion to end breast cancer, making them the world’s largest private funder of breast cancer research. Investigators supported by the charity have been involved in every major breakthrough in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, metastasis, and survivorship during that time. 

You can donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation via their website. You can also contribute by fundraising, shopping pink, or attending an event.

American Cancer Society: Fighting Cancer for All

Charity Navigator gives the American Cancer Society a 3-star rating. GuideStar gives the charity a Platinum rating for transparency. 

“Attacking cancer from every angle.”

The American Cancer Society runs programs to fight all forms of cancer, including breast cancer, through research, advocacy, and education initiatives. For example, their ACS Reach to Recovery Program connects men and women at all stages in their breast cancer journey with trained volunteers who are breast cancer survivors, providing them with one-on-one support. They also created Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a network of fundraising walks supporting breast cancer patients. As of August 2021, the charity funded more breast cancer research than any other form of cancer.

Since their founding, the American Cancer Society has impacted the lives of millions of people living with cancer, including breast cancer. For example, since 1946, they have invested $4.6 billion in cancer research, resulting in 49 Nobel Prize winners. In 2020 alone, 210 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events were held, raising over $26 million to support breast cancer patients.

You can donate to the American Cancer Society via their website. You can also sign up to fundraise with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, or you can volunteer with ACS Reach to Recovery.

The DONNA Foundation: Navigating the Journey Together

Charity Navigator gives The Donna Foundation a 79% rating for Finance and Accountability. GuideStar gives the charity a Platinum rating for transparency. 

“One Destination: to finish breast cancer.”

The Donna Foundation

The DONNA Foundation provides emotional support and financial assistance to people affected by breast cancer and also funds groundbreaking research to fight the disease. For example, their financial support program, The DONNA CareLine, is staffed by insurance and case-management experts who help patients overcome financial obstacles that impact their care. They also promote a sense of community for breast cancer survivors and patients by hosting events that bring them together. For example, the DONNA Morning Mixer is a social group where breast cancer patients and caregivers come together for conversation and support.

Since their founding, The DONNA Foundation has helped thousands of families through their journeys with breast cancer. For example, they helped secure over $4.2 million in financial services and debt relief across more than 15,600 families. In addition, they invested more than $3.3 million in research to end breast cancer.

You can donate to The DONNA Foundation via their website. You can also register to participate in a 5k or marathon, or host a fundraiser.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer: Knowledge and Community

Charity Navigator gives Living Beyond Breast Cancer a 4-star rating. GuideStar gives the charity a Platinum rating for transparency. 

“Practical resources for coping, managing, living with breast cancer.”

Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Living Beyond Breast Cancer helps men and women fight breast cancer by offering in-person experiences and on-demand emotional, practical, and evidence-based content. Their in-person events, such as the Butterfly Ball and the Conference on Metastatic Breast Cancer, allow participants to learn directly from experts while socializing with people in similar circumstances. They also connect people online through communities for specific subsets of breast cancer patients. For example, their Young Women group is for women diagnosed before age 45, while their High-Risk group is for those predisposed to breast cancer based on family history or other factors. Furthermore, their Breast Cancer Helpline offers emotional support, guidance, and hope through trained volunteers via phone or online.

Since their founding, Living Beyond Breast Cancer has educated and empowered thousands of women and men throughout their breast cancer journeys. For example, in 2021, 6,500 people registered for their online events and their website received over 600,000 visits. In the same year, their Breast Cancer Helpline fielded 822 calls, while their community groups reached over 3,700 members.

You can donate to Living Beyond Breast Cancer via their website. You can also contribute by attending an event, fundraising, or volunteering.

Here for the Girls Inc: Supporting Young Women with Breast Cancer

Charity Navigator gives Here for the Girls Inc. an 80% rating for Finance and Accountability. GuideStar gives the charity a Platinum rating for transparency. 

“Our mission: to improve the lives of young women affected by breast cancer.”

Here for the Girls Inc.

Here for the Girls Inc. provides support to young women living with breast cancer through programs and services that encourage emotional healing. Becoming a member is free, and members can access resources such as peer support groups led by trained facilitators, workshops and educational seminars, and social engagement opportunities. Individual support is available to women in need of extra assistance. The charity also hosts annual events that raise awareness and funds.

Since their founding, Here for the Girls inc. has remained passionate about emotionally supporting women with breast cancer. For example, in 2020, Here for the Girls Inc. assisted 1,490 women, with 625 receiving individualized support. They also host three major fundraising events annually: a golf tournament, a 5K run, and a gala.

You can donate to Here for the Girls inc. via their website. You can also contribute by registering to participate in events, volunteering, or by sponsoring their annual publication, A Calendar to Live By.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that fight breast cancer. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to fighting breast cancer – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

• World Health Organization: Breast Cancer Fact Sheet
• BreastCancer.org: Facts and Statistics
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Home
• Charity Navigator: National Breast Cancer Foundation
• GuideStar: National Breast Cancer Foundation
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Our Programs
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: National Mammography Program
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Metastatic Breast Cancer Retreats
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Breast Health Education
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Our Impact
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• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Donate
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Volunteer
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Hope Kits
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Fundraise
• Susan G. Komen: Home
• Susan G. Komen: Home
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• GuideStar: Susan G. Komen
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• Susan G. Komen: Our Impact
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• Susan G. Komen: Walks and Races
• Susan G. Komen: Pickleball
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• BreastCancer.org: Home
• Charity Navigator: BreastCancer.org
• GuideStar: BreastCancer.org
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• BreastCancer.org: Join our Community
• Young Survival Coalition: Home
• Charity Navigator: Young Survival Coalition
• GuideStar: Young Survival Coalition
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• Young Survival Coalition: Donate
• Breast Cancer Research Foundation: Home
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• American Cancer Society: Home
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• The DONNA Foundation: Home
• Charity Navigator: The DONNA Foundation
• GuideStar: The DONNA Foundation
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• The DONNA Foundation: About
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• The DONNA Foundation: Marathon
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• Living Beyond Breast Cancer: Home
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• Here for the Girls Inc.: About Us
• Charity Navigator: Here for the Girls Inc.
• GuideStar: Here for the Girls Inc.
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• Here for the Girls Inc.: 2020 Annual Report
• Here for the Girls Inc.: Donate
• Here for the Girls Inc.: Volunteer
• Here for the Girls Inc.: A Calendar to Live By