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ABOUT US

Breast Intentions is a 501 (c) (3) charity started in New Jersey by two high school teens in 2007, who witnessed the first hand the struggles of treating breast cancer. After their mother and two aunts were all affected by breast cancer within the same year, they wanted to make a difference. They began selling t-shirts, candy, and bracelets to raise money for healing families in their community. The money raised has purchased wigs, prosthetics, paid living expenses, transportation to and from treatments, co-pays, and utility bills - and only grew from there...

How Breast Intentions Began

When they were just 15 years old, cousins Erika Rech and Mike Ruane found out devastating news. 

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One of their family members was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.

Six months later, a second family member was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.

Shortly after, a third family member was also affected by breast cancer.

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Throughout diagnosis and treatment, Erika and Mike

witnessed firsthand the devastating effect that cancer can have on a family.

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“The more we learned about breast cancer,

and the treatment, the costs, and the pain it causes,

the more compelled we felt to help out families struggling with this disease.”

 

They vowed to form an organization to help families navigate

through a cancer diagnosis by providing emotional and financial support.

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Erika and Mike began researching non-profits and raising money for families during their freshman year.

They sold t-shirts, candy, and bracelets outside grocery stores and churches to raise money,

and relied solely on donations to fund their cause.

 

The cousins started Breast Intentions with about $1,000 in savings from birthdays and confirmation gifts.

Several family members agreed to serve as board members,

and their family friend, an attorney, helped them acquire their 501 (c) (3) status.

 

They made their first donation in August of 2007.

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Today, Breast Intentions is run entirely by volunteers and all donations go to women in need.

The charity now operates in New Jersey.

What We Do

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER CHARITIES

Although there are many fantastic charitable organizations

that are focused on research and awareness, the goal

of Breast Intentions is to help cure the day-to-day

financial strain that a breast cancer diagnosis often brings.

 

We pay heat and electric bills when families are stuck making the choice between necessities and medicine.

 

We provide patients with car services to and from medical appointments.

 

We even assist with rent payments so women do not have to choose between medical expenses and a place to live.

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We address what keeps the patients up at night,

so that they can focus on healing.

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All the money raised by Breast Intentions

goes directly back to NJ communities.

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Being an all-volunteer charity, donation impact is very high.

 

That is why we need YOU.

SOME OF THE WAYS WE HELP

...and much more!

Food

Cards

Gas

Cards

Co-Pays

Oil

Payments

Train

Tickets

Mastectomy

Bras

Cleaning

Services

Clothes

Daycare

Bills

Train

Tickets

Water

Bills

Radiology

Bills

Airfares

Cable

Bills

Car

Repair

Medication

Bills

Chemo

Supplies

Advocacy

Lymphedema

Sleeves

Holiday

Gifts

Taxi

Services

Trash/Sewer

Bills

Overnight

Accommodation

Car

Registration

Phone

Bills

Medical

Insurance

Medication

Bills

Gift

Cards

Maintenance

Bills

Maintenance

Bills

Dental

Insurance

Gas

Payments

JCP&L

Payments

Rent

Payments

Mortgage

Payments

Car

Payments

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