Research and Grants

Our mission is to make a difference locally in the fight against breast cancer through support, education and research. To accomplish this mission, CT BHI plans on funding a diversified portfolio of clinical/translational research with emphasis on programs that have not yet qualified for federal grants targeting breast cancer cause and survival.

Through the support of our signature fundraiser, the CT RACE IN THE PARK, the Annual Howard Belkin Memorial Golf Tournament, other events, individual donations and corporate support, the CT BHI will contribute monies this year to programs that aim to fulfill our mission. This funding is limited and awarded through a competitive process. All grant applications are subjected to rigorous review by a GRANTS PANEL of medical professionals, breast cancer survivors, educators, public health and interested business professionals that is responsible for making recommendations to the CT BHI Board of Directors. The funding period is for 12 months to be awarded in October, breast cancer awareness month.

Download our 2005 - 2021 Grants Booklet

2023 Grant Announcement

The Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, Inc is now accepting grant applications for our 2023 Grant Year. Our mission is to make a difference locally in the fight against breast cancer through education and research. To accomplish this mission, CT BHI plans on funding a diversified portfolio of clinical and translational research with emphasis on programs that have not yet qualified for federal grants targeting breast cancer cause and survival.

Through the support of our signature fundraiser, the CT RACE IN THE PARK, as well as other events, individual donations, and corporate support, the CT BHI will provide funding to programs that aim to fulfill our mission. This funding is limited and awarded through a competitive process. All grant applications are subjected to rigorous review by a grants panel of medical professionals, breast cancer survivors, public health and interested business professionals that are responsible for making recommendations to the CTBHI Board of Directors. The funding period is for twelve months.

We are requesting a “Letter of Intent” (LOI) of no more than two pages to be submitted by June 30, 2023. If you are invited to submit a full grant application, it must be submitted by September 1, 2023.

If you have any questions regarding the CT Breast Health Initiative, Inc. grants, please email us at info@ctbhi.org.

We look forward to receiving your Letter of Intent.

Sincerely,
 Debra Scarlett
Grants Chair
CT Breast Health Initiative, Inc.

2021 Grant Recipients

Dr. Kristen Zarfos, Medical Director, Saint Francis Women’s Center

Saint Francis Comprehensive Women’s Health Center Breast Health Outreach Program. The purpose of the program is to reduce late-stage breast cancer diagnoses and increase breast cancer survival rates among the medically underserved women in Saint Francis’ service area. The program educates these women about the importance of regular breast self-exams and mammograms in convenient community settings and connects them with screening, diagnostic and related services at Saint Francis’ Comprehensive Women’s Health Centers Comprehensive Breast Health Center.

Linda Hodgkins, MS OTR/L CLT-LANA Lymphedema Clinical Program Manager

Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network/The Hospital of Central CT
Rehabilitation For Breast Health

The program provides education and access to therapy and compression garments for uninsured, underinsured and high-deductible health insurance breast cancer survivors with lymphedema through the Rehabilitation for Breast Health Program. Lymphedema is a chronic and progressive swelling disease that requires daily use of compression garments that are often not covered by insurance.

Kevin Claffey, PhD, Center for Vascular Biology and NEAG Cancer Center
University of Connecticut Health Center
Novel Therapeutic Targeting of Metastatic Breast Cancer

 Current cancer therapies are largely ineffective for established metastatic breast cancers. Chemotherapies my suppress tumor growth for a time but they fail to result in cancer regression. In preliminary studies, we have discovered that one of the major barriers to effective treatment of metastatic disease may be the failure of tumor blood vessels to initiate immune cell infiltration into the tumor preventing tumor cell killing. This project will test whether activating the blood vessels within metastatic lesions followed by immunotherapy treatments will overcome immune resistance in the tumors and result in tumor regression. This would lead to improved quality of life, increased life expectancies or even permanent resolution in patients with metastatic disease.

New Dates for Submission

HOW TO APPLY FOR A 2023 GRANT FROM THE CT BREAST HEALTH INITIATIVE:

Applying is a two-step process:

All applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent (executive summary) of no more than two pages by June 30, 2023.
If you are invited to submit a full grant application, it must be submitted by September 1, 2023

If you have any questions regarding the CT Breast Health Initiative, Inc. grants, please contact 860.827.7103 or email info@ctbhi.org.