Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County (BCSS) has announced they have been selected as the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the FirstEnergyFoundation.
In addition to receiving the grant from the FirstEnergy Foundation, members of FirstEnergy volunteer on the organizations Finance Committee, support the annual Pink Passion for Fashion Show, and Hear Our Voices Team Holly 5K.
“Breast Cancer Awareness month presents an opportunity to celebrate survivors, honor loved ones we’ve lost and elevate systems of support for everyone touched by this devastating disease,” said Lorna Wisham, President of FirstEnergy Foundation. “We’re proud to support an organization whose efforts lead to a demonstrated, positive impact for our community every month of the year.”
Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County is a survivor-driven organization that provides hope, emotional support, education, and resources to every person affected by breast cancer. BCSS offers a variety of peer-to-peer support groups and resources, educational programs and workshops, comfort bags, creative arts, counseling assistance, and both email-a-survivor and phone line support systems to local breast cancer survivors.
In July the organization began its 30th year of service to the Berks County community. Since inception in July of 1994, they have continued to raise 100% of their operating budget annually as all our programs, services, and resources are provided at no charge to survivors, their family members, and caregivers.
Over the past two years, BCSS has increased the number of programs, services, and resources that are offered to support the mind, body, and spirit providing stress-relieving information, advocacy, friendship, counsel, and nourishment to one’s creative spark.
“The grant provided by the FirstEnergy Foundation will provide funding that will allow us to continue to offer programs to breast cancer survivors that raise spirits, provide relaxation, reduce boredom, help relieve depression, divert their minds from medical situations, provide creative stimulation, give creative satisfaction, and help them to communicate their feelings with their loved ones and medical team” said Michele Reinert, CFRE, Executive Director, BCSS.