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Keep A Breast Foundation plans to give $500 grants to BIPOC communities that are disproportionately impacted by breast cancer.
The lack of access to healthcare, screenings, and education keeps Black women in America at a higher mortality rate than their white counterparts.
“Learning more about the disparities with breast cancer and the African American community really prompted the idea to start this grant program,” said Shaney Jo Darden, founder of Keep a Breast Foundation.
Give Back Grants provide direct assistance to BIPOC women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or who are breast cancer survivors. The application process is fairly straightforward since the grant’s donors wanted it to be as easy to apply for as possible without limiting what recipients might buy with the money.
Give Back Grant was first launched in Nashville in 2020 with enough funds to serve 16 women.
of the recipients were funded by the Keep A Breast Nashville Collection and six were donated by the Fiona Prine, OHBOY Records, One Drop Ink, Braud Creative, Collective 615 and Imogene and Willie.
In 2021, the Clara Lionel Foundation founded by Rihanna gave Keep A Breast $100,000 towards Give Back Grants — taking the number from 16 to 240. $120K was given to 240 breast cancer survivors to expand the program nationwide.
Brittany Shook, an original grant recipient, recently lost her battle to breast cancer. Shook was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in August 2015 at 27-years-old and with stage IV breast cancer in August 2019 at 31-years-old. Shook was honored at a Give Back Brunch along with other former recipients.
“She lit up a room everywhere she went,” said Sha’Tecka Mayo, grant recipient and Breast cancer survivor.
“They can spend it on acupuncture, vacation, groceries, rent whatever they need. It’s just there for them to, like, be this, like, little sparkle of light to help during a tough time,” said Shaney.
Grants can be used for:
- Medical treatment (hospital bills, mental health, co-pays, rides, etc.)
- Alternative Care (acupuncture, massage therapy, etc.)
- Financial (rent, utilities, groceries, etc.)
- Business (investment in your own small business)
- Essential Self Care (Time off, vacation, meditation retreat, spa day)
Darden started to Keep a Breast Foundation 22 years ago in honor of her friend, Margaret Kilgallen. Keep A Breast was created to be an artistic concept that conveyed the mental and emotional difficulties associated with breast cancer. A number of breast castings were produced and displayed in exhibits around the country. Her mission is to support survivors and prevent diagnoses. Her foundation is popularly known for its “I heart boobies!” bracelets used to spread awareness.
Donna Woodley casted the nine breast cancer survivors that were included in the Nashville collection in 2020.
The Keep A Breast App
In partnership with Carbon Health, the Keep A Breast Foundation created an app that encourages breast cancer education, awareness and prevention.
The app allows users to interact directly with a telehealth medical expert who advises women on how to check themselves for lumps and mysterious sensations.
According to John Hopkins Medical Center, 40% of diagnosed breast cancers are self-detected.
“Early detection, that’s how we save lives,” said Darden.
The Give Back Grants application cycle is open until September 15. Anyone who is a BIPOC woman living in Tennessee who has been diagnosed with breast cancer or is a breast cancer survivor may apply. As of now, there are 400 applicants.
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