Breast cancer thrivers Ricki Fairley and Valarie Worthy founded TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance (TOUCHBBCA) in June 2021 with the mission to drive the collaborative efforts of patients, survivors, advocates, advocacy organizations, health care professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies to work collectively and with accountability towards the common goal of eradicating Black Breast Cancer. Black women are 42% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women. Black women with breast cancer have a 71% higher risk of death than white women. Black women under the age of 35 get breast cancer at twice the rate and die at three times the rate of white women. These devastating statistics have fueled a movement that TOUCHBBCA is initiating to change the game on how breast cancer research is conducted to bring more effective science to therapies for Black women.
CEO, Ricki Fairley says, “Though we still have much work to do, we are proud to say that we have reached (and touched) nearly three million people with reliable information and relatable conversations alongside establishing a real movement towards better science for Black Breast Cancer.”
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On Sunday, September 19th, TOUCHBBCA will host their Magic TOUCH Celebration to thank those who have nurtured, coached, encouraged, and supported them through their first year. They will honor Linda Murikami and Amgen for their inaugural support of their efforts and web series, The Doctor Is In, Quita Highsmith, Genentech’s Chief Diversity Officer, and Genentech for their passionate advocacy team and their scientists who are developing much needed therapies for Black Breast Cancer, and the family of Wanda Willis, their fallen breastie angel who helped birth the organization. The event will be held at Hill Center at the Old Navy Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003 from 3-6pm.
Co-Founder Valarie Worthy says, “It is important for Black women to understand breast cancer is not a death sentence. Touching and reaching women with valuable information are critical components in our organization’s quest in fighting Black Breast Cancer.”
Asia Chandler of Magic 102.3.97.5 fame will host this party with a purpose. Breast cancer survivor and advocate Representative Sheila Jackson Lee will be a special guest bringing words of encouragement to the Black Breast Cancer community. The festivities will include a Breastie Parade celebrating breast cancer warriors, survivors and thrivers, entertainment, dancing, magicians, and food provided by local food trucks.
This event is being powered by Genentech, Gilead, Amgen, Ciitizen, The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, and DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment.
Buy tickets HERE. For more information contact Ricki Fairley at 443-758-1924 or Ricki@touchbbca.org.
About TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance
Touch, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance was founded by Ricki Fairley and Valarie Worthy to drive the collaborative efforts of patients, survivors, advocates, advocacy organizations, health care professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies to work collectively, with accountability, towards the common goal of eradicating Black Breast Cancer. touchbbca.org
