Bright Pink has Announced $3.5 Million Legacy Gift to Launch PROACT Program at Stanford Medicine

Bright Pink has announced $3.5 million legacy donation to establish the Preventive Risk Outreach And Cascade Testing (PROACT) Program at Stanford Medicine.

This initiative, led by Stanford physicians Dr. Allison Kurian and Dr. Jennifer Caswell-Jin in collaboration with the University of Michigan, aims to give access to cascade testing for hereditary cancer risks. By identifying genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 and extending testing options to family members, the PROACT Program holds significant promise in saving lives from breast and ovarian cancer.

“Once they find out, we get everybody who wants to know and who stands to benefit in their family tested. That’s the goal of PROACT to build something that can help get families tested for these genes. Families are everywhere, and we are interested in taking care of people everywhere,” – said Caswell-Jin.

Despite its potential, cascade testing remains underutilized, with only one-third of those at risk taking proactive steps.Bright Pink has a rich history of serving millions of women through life-saving education and resources over its first 15 years. The organization continues to advance health equity through initiatives like the Bright Pink Venture Fund, all while maintaining its core mission: to save young women’s lives from breast and ovarian cancer through innovative solutions

The PROACT Program is set to carry this legacy forward, shaping a brighter future for generations to come. Lindsay Avner Kaplan, the founder of Bright Pink, will be a Senior Advisor for the PROACT Program at Stanford Medicine. Drawing from her experience in supporting women at risk, she aims to ensure that the program’s resources are impactful and accessible.

“The more you look at cancer as an entity, the more complex and heterogeneous it becomes. The more technologies you have to interrogate cancer, the more complex and heterogeneous it becomes,” – said Caswell-Jin

About Preventive Risk Outreach And Cascade Testing (PROACT) program

The Preventive Risk Outreach And Cascade Testing (PROACT) program is an innovative online platform designed to provide personalized cancer genetic risk information to the family members of individuals identified with hereditary cancer risks. Specifically, it allows those who have undergone genetic testing and received a diagnosis of a pathogenic variant to invite their first-degree and second-degree relatives to access the platform.

Through PROACT, family members can learn about their own genetic cancer risks and consider low-cost, at-home genetic testing options. This proactive approach not only empowers individuals with knowledge about their potential risks but also encourages them to take preventive measures regarding their health.

The program aims to enhance awareness and understanding of hereditary cancer risks, facilitating informed decision-making among families affected by genetic predispositions. By providing accessible resources and support, PROACT seeks to improve early detection and intervention strategies, ultimately aiming to reduce the incidence of hereditary cancers within families. By fostering a supportive environment for families navigating hereditary cancer risks, the program plays a crucial role in promoting proactive health management and improving overall outcomes for those at risk.

“This program builds on a proven platform that has already increased testing uptake and will provide critical insights to identify gaps in care, informing policy changes and systemic reforms,” – says Allison Kurian.

About Bright Pink

Bright Pink has guided 1.8 million individuals in assessing their risk for breast and ovarian cancer, encouraging proactive measures. The organization has educated over 110,000 people through in-person workshops and provided comprehensive training to 20,000 women’s health providers.

As Bright Pink concludes its daily operations, it has made a legacy gift to launch the PROACT Program at Stanford Medicine. This initiative entrusts the future of its mission to a visionary team of experts in breast and ovarian health, who are committed to continuing and expanding Bright Pink’s impact moving forward.

“Bright Pink has helped save countless lives from breast and ovarian cancer by empowering young women to know their risk and manage their health proactively through actionable information and support online, in healthcare settings, schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide.

Through award-winning digital tools, high-impact programs, and strategic partnerships with world-class brands, Bright Pink has transformed the national conversation surrounding breast and ovarian cancer from awareness to life-saving action. I’m so grateful to our team members, board members, donors, corporate partners, and volunteers for helping us make such an important contribution to the health of young women,” – noted Lindsay Avner Kaplan, founder and CEO of Bright Pink.