Leadership in Action – Week 1
From Bench to Community: My First Steps with BCF

This week marks the beginning of my journey with the Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF), and it's been a deeply meaningful one. Coming from a background in cancer research, I’ve mostly been working behind the scenes—analyzing data, understanding disease mechanisms, and contributing to scientific insight. But I’ve always wanted to take that experience one step further. That’s why I joined BCF: to understand the real-world challenges patients face and explore how research can translate into better support on the ground.

I spent much of this week reviewing focus group interviews with young breast cancer survivors. Many spoke candidly about the emotional, psychological, and social struggles they face—things like navigating work life, relationships, and feeling disconnected from existing support systems. It became clear that younger patients often fall through the cracks when it comes to tailored care.

What struck me most during the interviews was how many patients turn to the internet for help—whether it’s Googling symptoms, reading forums, or looking up treatments. This sparked some ideas on how data science could play a role here. I began brainstorming ways we could analyze the kind of information patients are exposed to online, identify gaps or misinformation, and think about how BCF or other support groups could step in—whether through better online resources, targeted content, or guiding patients toward professional help. There's huge potential to empower patients with clearer, more accessible knowledge.

On top of that, I’ve been helping plan two exciting upcoming events: the Encourage Catwalk and the Pink Ribbon Walk. It’s been energizing to work with the team and see how much heart goes into making these events impactful and inclusive.

Overall, this week has reminded me why I wanted to step beyond the lab—to listen, to learn, and to explore how research, technology, and empathy can come together to support real people in real time.