When we serve, we look outside of ourselves, beyond our own challenges, and seek to bring value to others. In 1997, The Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC), started with a group of dedicated volunteers, focused on creating a unique space to offer support and resources for individuals facing breast cancer in our community. Volunteers are the beating heart of BCRC. The center would not exist without the contributions of some truly exceptional volunteers, giving of their time, heart, personal experience, and talents for the benefit of others. Each year BCRC honors the special contributions of volunteers who have gone above and beyond to support our clients in truly significant ways and have shown unparalleled dedication to BCRC.
The Dorothy Shea Award is the greatest honor given by the BCRC, recognizing a Volunteer who exemplifies Dorothy’s spirit and life of service to others. Dorothy, a BCRC founding mother, was one of the individuals that in 1997 had a vision of a place that women could come to receive practical advice and emotional support addressing the realities of a breast cancer diagnosis. She provided BCRC with its first home, completely rent free, for seven years, and gave us a safe place to provide support and allow hope to take root. It is this spirit of giving and commitment that we recognize and honor in Betsy Watson for her generosity, dedication, and years of support to the BCRC.
Betsy has been a BCRC Reiki Practitioner since 2015. When BCRC had to make changes during the pandemic, Betsy developed a plan for us to continuing providing what is known as distant Reiki, as part of the integrative care program. She took on the scheduling and follow-up with clients to make sure their needs were met with this energy healing art. Betsy continues to lead this program and we along with our clients are grateful for her support and love.
Betsy Watson, 2024 BCRC The Dorothy Shea Award Recipient
The Judy Blanco Volunteer of Year Award was created in honor of BCRC’s very first volunteer. As a peer-support counselor, Judy showed up every day (in the home Dorothy Shea loaned to us) to be of support and help clients navigate a breast cancer diagnosis. As a volunteer, she wore many hats at the BCRC: administrative duties, librarian, volunteer coordinator and more, all with a ‘can-do’ attitude.
In 2024, BCRC is pleased to announce its Judy Blanco Volunteer of the Year Award to: Christine Montalvo — Fundraising. In 2024 Christine volunteered to be the Auction Chair for our annual Pink Lounge Gala fundraising event. Because of Christine’s creative abilities, corporate alliances and focus on how best to raise vital funds she was able to help BCRC have a record-breaking auction year. We commend Christine for building a foundation for continued growth which directly benefits the center and our ability to keep services offered at no-charge to our clients and community.
Christine Montalvo, 2024 BCRC Judy Blanco Volunteer of the Year Award–Fundraising
Susan Ferguson— Peer-support Services & Administration. Susan started as a BCRC volunteer in 2023. As a former client and now breast cancer survivor, she felt her calling to help support others dealing with a cancer diagnosis, and to provide guidance and insight supporting new clients with understanding, empathy, and generosity. She know exactly what it’s like to be vulnerable and frightened. She provides the space to share and listen with a loving heart, to assure each client that they are not alone as they take the next step forward. As part of our Peer-support program she meets with clients – help pick out a wig or library book, and Wellness Calls program: every Tuesday Susan starts her day calling clients to check-in – listen, uplift and be of support, making sure the clients know they are not alone during treatment, or on the road to survivorship wellness.
Susan Ferguson, 2024 BCRC Judy Blanco Volunteer of the Year Award–Peer-support Services & Administration (Pictured with Judy Blanco)
We celebrate each of you and appreciate the significant impact you make in the lives of those around you every day, especially those who are a part of our BCRC community facing breast cancer.
All three of these amazing Volunteers are dedicated to making a difference by being part of a circle of care in a manner suited to their talents and capabilities, and do so with grace and love. We are forever grateful to them.