How The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was founded

Over a cup of coffee, Mrs. Evelyn Lauder and her close friend Dr. Larry Norton began a conversation that would eventually reshape the future of breast cancer. They both understood that research had the power to change lives, but they also realized that tackling this disease required a fresh approach.

Back then, a breast cancer diagnosis was terrifying, offering little hope. The science behind how the disease spread was still in its infancy. Prevention strategies were barely explored, screening options were limited, and treatment choices were scarce.

Determined to make a difference, Mrs. Lauder, Dr. Norton, and her husband, Leonard, made a commitment that day to change the course of breast cancer. They knew that research was the key to progress, and that funding was the biggest hurdle standing in the way of a cure. This belief led to the founding of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

Years earlier, Mrs. Lauder had faced her own battle with early-stage breast cancer. Rather than let the experience define her, she chose to turn it into action. In 1989, she helped establish a cutting-edge breast and diagnostic center at New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she was a board member. The facility, known today as the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center, set a new standard for cancer care by offering the latest in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment—all in one place.

That same year, Mrs. Lauder, together with Alexandra Penney, the then-editor of SELF magazine, created the now-iconic pink ribbon and launched the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign through The Estée Lauder Companies. They distributed ribbons and self-exam instruction cards at Estée Lauder counters across the United States and around the world, helping to raise awareness about breast health and making breast cancer a topic of public conversation.

Evelyn Lauder’s mission has since become ours: to rid the world of breast cancer. Today, BCRF stands as a powerful reminder of her unwavering dedication, her sharp intuition, and her incredible vision.

Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation shared on LinkedIn:

“Evelyn Lauder, businesswoman and philanthropist and her oncologist, Larry Norton, MD, FASCO, were dear friends for more than 20 years. Together, they founded the The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

Today BCRF funds an endowed research grant through Conquer Cancer with the hope recipients will leverage their imagination, take risks, and empower investigators to try new methods that may otherwise go unexplored. ”

Source: Conquer Cancer/LinkedIn