National Breast Center Foundation in Alexandria Rebrands as Breast Cancer Collective

Alexandria, VA – Marking ten years of free, lifesaving diagnostics and treatment across the DMV, the National Breast Center Foundation unveiled a whole new look. The full name is Breast Cancer Collective: A Foundation for Awareness and Action.

“For ten years we have worked with this name which is easily confused with the National Breast Cancer Foundation,” explained Executive Director Martha Carucci. “We purposely took National out and we purposely did not include a geographical designation. We don’t want to limit.”

The moment guests entered the gala at ALX Community Atrium in Old Town, they were immediately engulfed in a sea of vibrant, concentrated pink. The soaring space was festooned with a pink runner leading to the entrance, pink balloons, pink banners, pink glitter—pink everything. The food, space, and decorations were all donated, allowing the organization to direct proceeds to the cause.

Three hundred attendees filled every corner. Guests arrived decked out in pink gowns, pink shawls, and pink purses. Men sported pink bow ties and jackets. It was an elegant evening of merriment and dancing, but beneath it all was a palpable sense of urgency.

“It is urgent we make sure that every woman, regardless of income or insurance, has access to lifesaving breast cancer screening, education, diagnosis, and treatment,” Carucci told the assembled audience. “Too many women still face barriers that can cost them time, but too often their lives.”

The pink-tie optional gala raised an estimated $60k through ticket sales and sponsorship. All proceeds will go toward mammograms for more women in the area.

“We were really excited about the name change and we kept it as quiet as we could. Nobody knew except us and the board,” Carucci told The Zebra after the gala. “It is so appropriate because over 10 years we’ve built this network of partners and other providers, collaborators, volunteers, and patients who want to give back. And it is a collective effort. When we all put our efforts together and we are fighting the same thing, we are so much more powerful.”

The organization’s major fundraiser, the 10th annual Walk to Bust Cancer, was postponed due to the federal shutdown. Carucci expressed disappointment, saying she even showed up at Ft. Hunt Park on the morning of the postponed walk, just in case someone arrived by mistake. Once the government reopens, she says she will immediately set a new date. The foundation’s fundraising goal is $400,000 with the walk and gala combined.

Dr. David Weintritt, the surgeon who founded the center a decade ago, showed up to the grand event in hot pink pants and a matching bow tie. In a conversation with The Zebra, Dr. Weintritt reflected on the last ten years and looked ahead to the next ten.

“You know, the tricky part is, if you say our goal is to not have anybody miss a screening, have no one go through the journey alone, that’s pretty lofty but ultimately that is what would be considered success. Will that ever happen? Realistically, no, but we don’t want the reason to be because someone didn’t have access.”

Spotted in the gala crowd was Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins. “Today we had the opportunity to celebrate the amazing work of the National Breast Center Foundation and the efforts that they put in each and every day to educate, to inspire, and to support so many women in our community,” Gaskins told Zebra. “Especially those who are low income or may not have health care access.”

How does Gaskins, a woman juggling the highest city public office, and a mother of two young children, make time for her own healthcare? “If I’m being honest, I don’t always find the time. Recently, I was navigating some health issues of my own that forced me to kind of stop in my own tracks and recognize that if I don’t care for myself, I’m not going to be able to care for this city. And so I actually just got my mammogram.”

The event featured the powerful testimony of breast cancer survivor Dayna Blumel. The 48-year-old Davidsonville, MD, realtor had lived in Old Town and Del Ray for over 20 years and knew Dr. Weintritt through her husband’s work. She recalled getting that crucial phone call just before Christmas.

“Dr. Weintritt said, ‘Dayna, you’re going to be fine. I got you. I’m your quarterback. We’re going to get you through this,’” Blumel told The Zebra. “It was the most pivotal phone call I’ve ever gotten in my life.”

Blumel underwent chemo and radiation and a double mastectomy. She says she is now cancer-free and healthy. “Never missed a day of work,” she added.