About VBCG
The Vail Breast Cancer Group’s mission is to help ease the financial and emotional burdens endured by those women in the Vail Valley who are battling breast cancer. We have been at the forefront of the breast cancer fight for 30 years, making a significant impact in the lives of those in our community affected by the disease. We were founded on the principles of compassion and hope, with a mission to raise funds and awareness to support individuals and families who are affected.
Breast cancer remains a pressing global health concern, affecting millions of individuals and families. The Vail Breast Cancer Group within the Vail Valley Charitable Fund recognizes the importance of early detection, research, support, and education in the fight against breast cancer. And we are dedicated to making a meaningful impact, evident in our brand-new mammogram program for uninsured women. See below for more information!
Brand new Mammogram Program
The VVCF, through its Vail Breast Cancer Group program, will begin offering free screening mammograms to uninsured women residing in its service area. If additional diagnostic screening is necessary, the VVCF will also provide a $500 stipend to help cover the costs of those services.
To qualify:
- Applicants must have lived or worked in the VVCF’s service area for at least one year. The VVCF service area extends from east to west, encompassing East Vail through Dotsero, including Minturn and Red Cliff.
- The program targets and supports individuals within 251% to 550% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) income bracket. Vail Health helps uninsured women at 250% or less through the Colorado Hospital Discount Care program.
- Eligible women should complete an application at VVCF.org.
“The Vail Breast Cancer Group has offered vital support for diagnostics and comforts for women in our community for 30 years in many ways, including through our Shine On Bag, which provides newly diagnosed women with comfort at a vulnerable time. This new mammogram program allows us to take a preventative role in tackling the scary subject of breast cancer,” said Terri Hanley Reichert, Development Manager, Vail Valley Charitable Fund. “Our long-time partner, Vail Health, has thoughtfully and carefully helped us navigate the program details. We are grateful for their continued commitment to our community. We’re all about financial resiliency, and by helping women get an early diagnosis, we’re also helping them recover as quickly as possible with the best outcome.”
“Mammograms are the best tool for detecting breast cancer. Early detection has been proven to improve treatment options and outcomes; dramatically improving the patient’s experience. Every woman should have access to routine mammograms,” said Kristen Cobos, Vail Health Director of Imaging Services. “We are thrilled to partner with the Vail Valley Charitable Fund to offer this resource to the women in our community.”
The VVCF relies on the generosity of individuals to fund its various giving programs, including the Vail Breast Cancer Group. Events like ‘Bowling for Boobs’ held each October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month help to fund this new mammogram program. The VVCF is pleased to announce that the program has received several donations, including an incredibly generous and anonymous donation of $50,000, which will enable us to begin offering paid mammograms immediately.
Click here to access the Mammogram Program application
Completed Applications should be mailed to terri@vvcf.org
Shine on Bag
The Vail Breast Cancer Group has offered vital support for diagnostics and comforts for women in our community for 30 years in many ways, including through our Shine On Bag, which provides newly diagnosed women with comfort at a vulnerable time, The bag itself is beautiful; it contains a plush pink robe, a heat/cold pillow, a cosmetic bag, and a bar of soap, alongside gift cards for a flower arrangement from Vintage Magnolia, a punch-card from Mountain Rec, and access to classes at Revolution Power Yoga.
Click here to access the Shine on Bag application
Completed applications should be emailed to terri@vvcf.org.
A bit of history
In the past 30 years, the Vail Breast Cancer Group has raised more than $1.6 million due to the generosity of the Eagle County Community. Over 500 women have received comforts from VBCG many more have received additional funds through the VVCF. In 2025, we will introduce a new paid mammogram for uninsured women.
Over the years, VBCG donated funds for Sonnenalp Breast Center, Shaw Cancer Center, and Jack’s Place, A Cancer Caring House. Other donations included funds towards the purchase of equipment used for the diagnosis of the disease.
The Vail Breast Cancer Group and the Vail Valley Charitable Fund work closely to support breast cancer awareness. Unfortunately, even with new equipment, new treatment and constant awareness, 13% (about 1 in 8) of U.S. women are going to develop invasive breast cancer in the course of their life – in 2023, an estimated 297,790 new cases were expected to be diagnosed.
According to the American Cancer Society, women ages 40 to 44 may begin annual mammograms. Women aged 45 – 54 should get mammograms every year. Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms two years or can continue yearly screening.
Eagle County is a loving, giving community and the VBCG along with the VVCF are honored to support our neighbors in time of need.
Your donation in any amount will go directly towards locals in the valley who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
Make a contribution today at https://www.coloradogives.org/donate/vvcf, selecting ‘Vail Breast Cancer Group’ in the dropdown.