06 Dec Contest Runner-Up: United Breast Cancer Foundation Helps Families Struggling with Cancer Find Joy
Organization: United Breast Cancer Foundation
Lives Impacted: 409
Donation: Tempur Pedic
Website: www.UBCF.org
United Breast Cancer Foundation is a national nonprofit that began as a small grassroots organization serving low-income, under and non-insured women and men in New York State. UBCF is headquartered in Huntington Station, NY, and along with a regional office in Annapolis, MD, we currently serve women, men and their families across the country. UBCF is committed to offering breast health and wellness services focused on cancer prevention, screening, treatment and overall wellness. UBCF’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
Last month, on October 27th, 2018, we held our Tempur-Pedic ® Mattress Event in Owings Mills, Maryland. This is UBCF’s second Tempur-Pedic ® mattress event of the year, and our first time in the Baltimore area. The exhaustion that comes with putting the body through rigorous treatments can make recovering very difficult and lengthy. Most people will agree there is no greater impact to your health than restorative sleep, which is why UBCF’s mattress events have such a tremendous impact on so many people. Too many people are sleeping on sofas, recliners or old, lumpy mattresses and cannot afford new ones, especially considering the cost of cancer treatments.
UBCF’s client Kyla drove all the way to the Maryland event from her home in Boston, Massachusetts to receive a new mattress. The distance Kyla was willing to travel to receive the gift of better sleep is a true testament to how important good rest is for those battling diseases like breast cancer. Kyla was thrilled to receive her new mattress and the Pink Bags full of goodies we provided her. The joy and excitement evident on Kyla’s face was truly magical.
With the help of Good360 and Tempur+Sealy, UBCF has donated thousands of mattresses to breast cancer patients and survivors who, like Kayla, truly need and deserve a good night’s sleep. We truly understand the importance of rest and have worked together with Good360 and Tempur+Sealy to help those who can’t help themselves. At our most recent mattress event in Baltimore, Maryland, UBCF donated 300 mattresses to breast cancer patients, survivors, and their children, supporting a total of 409 people. In addition to Tempur-Pedic® mattresses, recipients received Pink Bags full of items such as clothing, shoes, beauty and personal care items, power banks, and hair tools.
“Thank you so much for your generosity. I’ve been moved to tears. Breast cancer causes financial, medical, and emotional hardship. I’m simply overwhelmed!” ~ Jill
“This is a blessing for both me and my mother. We are both breast cancer survivors that also have other health issues, and getting rest is so important! Thank you so much UBCF!” ~ Donna
The feelings of gratitude and warmth throughout the event were contagious. Everywhere you looked there were hugs and tears of happiness. The event brought out comradery in everyone, with clients, volunteers, and UBCF Team Members all working together to make sure the day ran smoothly. The husband of a UBCF client graciously picked up a mattress from the event for Phyllis, an elderly woman who was physically unable to pick up her own mattress. Until this day, he had never met or even heard Phyllis’ name. When UBCF personally thanked him for his help, he told us he has watched his family members struggle and “if this small inconvenience of delivering a mattress to someone in need positively impacted her life, it was not an inconvenience at all.”
We look forward to continuing to work together with Good360 and Tempur-Sealy to positively impact the lives of those affected by breast cancer. For information on upcoming events, please visit our website www.UBCF.org or email GIKprogram@ubcf.org.
