The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) recently presented its largest donation ever of $1,000,000 to the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. Since its inception in 1996, the BCRFA has made an annual donation to research with proceeds from all its fund-raising efforts during the prior year. This year's contribution brings the organization's cumulative total for research at UAB to more than $8.7 million.

"The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama is critical in making our breast cancer research program one of the best in the country," said Michael Birrer, MD, PhD, the director of the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. "BCRFA is a perfect example of motivating the community to support new research."

Community support during 2018 included 20 Alabama fire departments who participated in the Pink Ribbon Project, selling t-shirts during October to raise funds and awareness, along with dozens of other businesses, schools, churches and individuals that used grassroots fundraising to raise money for breast cancer research.

"As a breast cancer survivor myself, I am thrilled that we are able to invest $1,000,000 in life-saving breast cancer research this year," said Jill Carter, BCRFA board president. "Without the support of our sponsors, donors and community partners, this donation would not be possible."

Approximately one-half of the total donation was raised through the BCRFA specialty car tag sales. Available at DMVs across the state, over 12,500 vehicles in Alabama sport the Breast Cancer Research tag. 100 percent of funds received by the BCRFA.