Founded in 2001 by AIDS Emergency Fund (AEF), Breast Cancer Emergency Fund (BCEF) for 20 years had a simple mission: providing quick and compassionate emergency financial assistance to low-income people undergoing breast cancer treatment. BCEF maintained a very low administrative overhead, and did not receive federal or public funding, relying on the dedication of an extensive volunteer network and the generosity of many individuals, corporations and foundations. BCEF's signature fundraising event, This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse, raised approximately one-quarter of BCEF's annual budget. In 2021 BCEF closed its offices in San Francisco, and was reborn as the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Emergency Fund (BOCEF), a program of Bay Area Cancer Connections (BACC). In its new home, BOCEF is able to help more people, and is proud to be part of BACC's long history of providing a wide array of personalized services to anyone affected by breast or ovarian cancer. Bay Area Cancer Connections offers one-on-one support, social activities and a variety of support groups that are facilitated by licensed therapists and offered free of charge. Bay Area Cancer Connections welcomes BCEF's large family of supporters, volunteers, and clients.
