Piscataqua Savings Bank is the proud supporter of over 100 Seacoast area nonprofits. We’re highlighting a few of the nonprofits doing incredible, critical work in our Seacoast community with our Seacoast Spotlight Series. Next up in our spotlight is My Breast Cancer Support.
October is a month painted in pink, a time when communities come together to raise awareness about breast cancer. But beyond the ribbons and events lies a deeper story of resilience, compassion, and unwavering support. One organization that embodies this spirit is My Breast Cancer Support (MBCS), a local nonprofit rooted in personal experience and dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
Who Is My Breast Cancer Support?
The story of My Breast Cancer Support begins with Wendy McCoole, whose own journey with breast cancer inspired her to create lasting impact. Wendy was diagnosed in 2003 at the age of 42, the same age her mother, Joanne Dodge, was when she was first diagnosed. After completing treatment in 2004, Wendy launched BreastCancerStories, a nonprofit website that allowed patients to share their journeys and connect with others.
The idea was born out of her online journal, affectionately known as “Bald Wendy,” which had touched countless hearts with its honesty and humor. The overwhelming response made it clear, people facing cancer needed more than medical care, they needed connection and support.
In 2011, Wendy transformed that spirit of community into My Breast Cancer Support, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and southern Maine. Her vision was clear: to offer local, direct financial and emotional support to breast cancer patients and their families when they needed it most.
Since its founding, MBCS has provided more than $1.2 million in financial assistance to individuals and families navigating breast cancer. This support helps cover the hidden costs of treatment, from transportation and lodging to household bills and groceries, ensuring patients can focus on healing rather than hardship.
Beyond financial help, MBCS offers emotional care through counseling, local resource connections, and community-building programs that remind every patient they’re not alone. The organization’s mission comes to life through signature events like the Fashion Show & Silent Auction, the Evening by the Sea Gala, and the Celebrate Pink 5K Run & Walk. These events serve both to raise funds and to gather survivors, families, advocates, and supporters for a shared mission.
The organization is led by a compassionate team that includes survivors, healthcare professionals, and dedicated volunteers. Executive Director Jennie Halstead, herself a breast cancer survivor, continues to carry forward Wendy’s vision of empowering others through empathy, action, and connection.
Why Local Support Matters
While national organizations play a crucial role in research and advocacy, local nonprofits like MBCS fill an equally vital space, meeting immediate, personal needs right in the community. For many patients, breast cancer often brings unexpected expenses, from child care and travel to daily living costs. MBCS helps ease these challenges, giving patients and families across the Seacoast the resources and reassurance they need to focus on recovery and well-being.
By staying local, MBCS remains responsive and personal. Each dollar raised, each event held, and each volunteer hour goes directly toward helping neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family members who are facing one of life’s toughest challenges.
Honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to education, early detection, and support for those affected by the disease. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate the strength of survivors, honor those we’ve lost, and encourage others to take action, whether that means scheduling a mammogram, volunteering, or supporting organizations like My Breast Cancer Support.
The message of Awareness Month is simple but powerful: awareness saves lives, and compassion changes them. MBCS embodies that spirit year-round, reminding us that even small acts of kindness like a donation, a shared story, or a moment of understanding can make a profound difference.
Bringing It All Together
Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us that awareness without action is insufficient. The pink ribbon is a symbolic starting point, but the real work happens in neighborhoods, in hospital waiting rooms, and in community centers where organizations like MBCS turn awareness into tangible hope.
From Wendy McCoole’s courageous beginning to the ongoing work of today’s dedicated team, MBCS continues to stand as a beacon of hope. Through every grant awarded, every event hosted, and every hand held, the organization helps ensure that no one in our community has to face breast cancer alone.
If you or someone you know is facing a breast cancer diagnosis, consider reaching out to My Breast Cancer Support. Whether you need financial assistance, emotional guidance, or simply a community that understands, they are here to help. Together, we can continue turning awareness into action and support those on their journey toward healing.
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