Remember: Any sudden changes to your breast (sometimes overnight), swelling, constant itching, pain or discoloration need to be taken seriously. See your Doctor.
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation is a group of concerned citizens who came together with the hope of making a difference in the way Inflammatory Breast Cancer ( IBC ) is perceived by both the general public and the medical community.
Our ranks come from IBC patients, Physicians, the Media and those affected by IBC.
On October 21, 2006, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas opened the first in the world Inflammatory Breast Cancer Clinic.
Advocates and patients came from such places as Idaho, Washington State, Illinois and London England to witness the opening of this ground breaking event.
Our mission is to change the perceived notion that all breast cancers have a lump. The medical community has not been educated to a degree where they can catch this deadly form of breast cancer earlier than stage IIIB. This is not acceptable.
We will do a national canvas of medical continuing education seminars, radio shows, television, in person interviews and reach as many people as possible to spread the word there is more than one type of breast cancer, and that IBC can be deadly if not diagnosed properly. Countless women are fighting their own health care physicians to get a proper diagnosis, which has to stop. Through education and awareness, this can change.
Among our supporters are men and women who have lost wives, sisters, mothers and daughters. We all know that regular breast cancer has been researched and many good things have come from what other grass roots organization's have done. We all know what the Pink Ribbon stands for, that women and men should look for a lump.
Now we need to educate with every medium that is earthly possible that there is a breast cancer that we have not been told about.
And we will.
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation Board of Directors
Patti Bradfield President
Patti's only daughter Tina was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in 2003, which had already metastasized to her liver. Tina pleaded with her mother to write about this under reported and overly misdiagnosed type of breast cancer. Not finding anyone who was willing to take her writings, (for fear of scaring the public), she turned to television. When she met the staff KOMO TV in Seattle Washington, she found a physical voice and a way to get the message to the masses.
On August 29, 2007 Patti lost her beloved daughter, Kristine "Tina" Turck.
"Knowledge is Power" says Patti, is the only way we can win this war" The battle of education in the public arena as well as the medical community is not over, and will not be until not one more woman is 'surprised' by a diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Marilyn "Mare" Kirschenbaum Vice-President
Mare began the IBC Journey in 1997, when her daughter Karen was diagnosed with this insidious disease. Fortunately she continues to do remarkably well!
Her first attempt at spreading the word was when she wrote to NBC5 in Chicago and their response was the first television segment on IBC on the ten o'clock news.
Mare has been and continues to be our cheerleader, staying on top of news, advocate issues, and is a graduate of Project Lead.
Jenee Bobbora Secretary
Jenee was only 32 and her little girl had just turned 2 when IBC struck without warning. But this former teacher has become a valiant spokesperson for this disease and as she says, "It's my passion to educate people about IBC because it is a little known disease which requires early detection. Our foundation was born out of a large number of forces coming from all different directions. All for the same reason.
So much has been accomplished in a short time. Lives have been saved and projects have been put in motion that will lead us to a cure for IBC. The collaboration of dedicated people from around the globe has proven to be unstoppable.
Peggy Stephens Secretary Pro Tem
Peggy was diagnosed with IBC in April 2007, after being misdiagnosed for 6 weeks. She is a wife (married to Alan), mother (of 2 wonderful children Samantha & Jack), step-mother (of Jessica), friend, sister, colleague and more. She started the first “IBC Get Together” in Michigan, was instrumental in getting the Michigan IBC Proclamation passed for October, and has been a continual advocate for IBC.
She has recently started fundraising through Caring Baskets by Design, whose goal is for every IBC patient to receive a gift basket to ease their treatment journey. A portion of the proceeds of the sales goes to the IBC Foundation and breast cancer research.
Doug Jenks Treasurer
In 2001, Doug's beloved wife, Patricia, was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. After a long, brave fight, she lost her battle to the disease on January 1, 2005.
Mr. Jenks is very focused on raising awareness of IBC and helping other IBC survivors and their spouses and loved ones.
As the Treasurer of the foundation, Mr. Jenks devotes significant time raising funds and developing programs to support the IBC Foundation with its mission.
Sunnie Jacobs Director
Sunnie was diagnosed with IBC in December of 2005. With her diagnosis she realized the lack of knowledge in the general community, and has been a driving force for her State of Florida to have an IBC Proclamation designated.
Sunnie, a survivor and adamant advocate, has made it her mission to spread the word where ever she goes. She has been interviewed both in newspapers and television, making sure everyone is educated about the signs and symptoms of IBC.
Jacqueline Miller Director
Jacqueline has been an advocate speaker of breast cancer issues for over eight years, but with the loss of her dear friend in January of 2008, and a promise to her friend, Inflammatory Breast Cancer education brought a new passion to her life.
"It was only God that directed me to the IBC Foundation website. People, women and men have never heard of this insidious disease. I believe more should be said and done to spread the word about IBC. I've always just been local, speaking at churches, word of mouth, but the public, the media, newspapers', magazines, radio stations, television stations, all medical staff and our government should be MORE involved. It is unacceptable that more is not known"
Valerie Fraser Director
Valerie was diagnosed with IBC in January, 2007. A series of inconclusive mammograms, and suspicion of a breast abscess was ruled out after biopsy four weeks later. "I quickly learned the sobering facts of an IBC diagnosis. I knew how critical each decision in this journey would be and that knowledge would be the key to survival.. Catching IBC while it is still localized offers the best chance of cure. Educating women and the doctors that treat them is paramount to receiving earlier diagnosis, optimal treatments and saving lives."
Valerie is an active research advocate both nationally and locally in her state of Michigan. She was honored with the Local Hero award by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, chosen as a delegate to the Livestrong Summit, and has reached out to help other survivors through education and leadership in many local support organizations. She resides in Michigan with her husband, Raymond, and son, Colin, but she considers her second home Houston as she has travelled over 86,000 miles since 2007 for treatment.
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This page would not be complete without our friends from KOMO TV/Fisher Communications in Seattle Washington. Jon Knorr KOMO camerman and Michelle Esteban reporter, pictured below, have followed the progress of our educational message from the beginning.
Although not on our board of directors, we honor them for all the diligent work they have done.
Michelle, thank you is not enough for the light you have shown into the dark tunnel of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Your awards are testament to your devoted coverage of this devastating disease.
Jon, thank you for being sensitive to the many women you have photographed. We honor you for taking this subject, through your work, and bringing reality to a very difficult subject.
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IBCF EVENTS
New York October 2008. Branton Woods Golf Club hosted this years IBCF Fundraiser The IBCF board members present for Doug Jenks Memorial Golf tournament, in honor and memory of his late wife Patti, was a tribute to the many friends who support Doug, his family and the foundations efforts. Pictured from left to right at Bratton Woods are: Doug Jenks, Sunnie Jacobs, Jenee Bobbora, Patti Bradfield.
Chicago October 2008 Our VP Mare Kirschenbaum at Wheeling IL, Health Fair, spreading the word.
Seattle October 2008 Kathryn Gordon, our special IBCF supporter and 8 year IBC survivor, helps with the information table at the University of Washington Open House for the Tumor Vaccine Group.
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation is a group of concerned citizens who came together with the hope of making a difference in the way Inflammatory Breast Cancer ( IBC ) is perceived by both the general public and the medical community.
Patti Bradfield
Marilyn "Mare" Kirschenbaum
Jenee Bobbora
Peggy Stephens
Doug Jenks
Sunnie Jacobs
Jacqueline Miller
Valerie Fraser
New York October 2008. 
Chicago October 2008
Seattle October 2008
Please visit the Tumor Vacine Groups website to learn more about what they are accomplishing. 
Seattle October 2008
