Our vision
Day in and day out, the Foundation’s team members are driven by a shared vision: A future without breast cancer.
Our mission
Karine-Iseult Ippersiel
A word from our Chairwoman
The Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is the only non-profit charitable organization dedicated to making investments for the benefit of the province’s breast cancer patients and its scientific and medical community, with every dollar its many fundraisers and activities raise.
For 30 years, we have been committed to defending the interests and well-being of people affected by breast cancer and their loved ones. Our contribution is especially noteworthy in the area of medical and scientific advances. We invest in innovation and cutting-edge research and in patient-support programs, ranging from prevention to cure.
Every day, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation works to save lives and improve the quality of life of people living with breast cancer by:
- Funding research and innovation,
- Defending patient rights and offering support,
- Generating cutting-edge knowledge and a sense of community,
- Leading prevention and education, activities and raising awareness.
Our values
Compassion for those with breast cancer and their loved ones inspires the dedication of everyone involved with the Foundation. We always give priority to the interests of the people we defend, support and represent. We believe in a future in which breast cancer no longer takes lives, and so we are fully invested in fighting this disease.
Integrity is one of the Foundation’s core values, and we never take our special relationship with our donors, partners and volunteers for granted. Integrity is at the heart of everything we do and it guides our every decision. We respect our commitments, and each and every one of our members acts consistently, responsibly and transparently.
A force that combines creativity, self-confidence, knowledge and courage, innovation allows us to think outside the box and go that extra mile, to lead the way and to inspire. Thanks to our team’s many talents, we suggest and innovate, both in our fundraising projects and in our investments in research and support to benefit those affected.
Our expertise and vision allow us to invest our energies and resources in projects that have a measurable and lasting impact, not only to optimize every dollar raised, but also to ensure that our actions make a real difference for people with breast cancer, now and in the future. Our impact can be measured by the changes we bring about.
Those of us at the Foundation are in love with life! This passion shines through the projects we support, the activities we organize and take part in (even after office hours!) and, of course, our daily work. We give 110% because we truly care about the people we help and those we work with.
History
Pam McLernon
Founder
Looking back on how far we have come, I am so very proud to have seized this opportunity more than 20 years ago. What the Foundation has become exceeds my expectations.
In the Beginning…
There was no organization in Montréal dedicated to fighting breast cancer. When this illness affected several members of her family, Pam McLernon felt helpless and didn’t know how to support them. It was from this social and family situation that her desire to make a difference saw the light of day. Encouraged by a renowned Montréal oncologist, Pam decided to set up a volunteer organization of women from various backgrounds who were totally dedicated to the cause.
In 1994, these pioneers held their first fundraising event at the Montréal Botanical Gardens. Called “Dans le jardin,” this cocktail event sought to raise $500,000 to fund research by Dr. David Fleiszer and his team and the MGH Breast Cancer Diagnosis Clinic. To reach this financial goal, the women on the board challenged themselves to each sell more than 100 tickets in their personal and professional networks. And they did it! This first success kicked off the organization’s tremendous growth.
Over the years, thanks to the thousands of donors, volunteers and partners who have placed their trust in the organization, the Foundation has developed and become ever more professional. To reflect its new and broader actions to fulfil its mission, the Foundation changed its name from the original Montreal Breast Cancer Foundation to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.
These bold, courageous women laid the foundations of a movement that today has invested more than $50 million in funding research, support and education!
Today, The horizon is rosier
Thanks to your contributions and generosity, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation is known as a leader in medical and scientific innovation in the field of breast cancer. It partners with associations that promote women’s daily quality of life. The Foundation carries out its prevention and education role through awareness raising and education. It constantly encourages Quebecers to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and defends the rights and interests of women and men affected by breast cancer. Today, the Foundation is recognized as a leader in breast cancer.
Together, let’s continue to move toward a future in which no one dies of breast cancer!
Certificates and Merit
Discover the accreditations, certifications and awards our Foundation has received. Our team stands out due to its know-how, good governance practices and strategic orientations, and keeps innovating to maximize the support the Foundation offers to people affected by breast cancer and their loved ones.
Imagine Canada Accreditation
The Foundation was very proud to receive Imagine Canada’s Standards Program accreditation on November 23, 2018. The Standards Program accredits Canadian charities and non-profit organizations that demonstrate excellence in the following five areas:
- Board governance;
- Financial accountability and transparency;
- Fundraising;
- Staff management;
- Volunteer involvement.
Healthy enterprise Certification
On June 6, 2022, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation was honored to be awarded the highest certification of recognition Healthy Enterprise Level 3.
Inspired by the best practices of the Healthy Enterprise standard, this approach has 3 levels of implementation. The Healthy Enterprise Group offers recognition for each level completed to highlight our achievements for employee health and wellness.
At the Foundation, we are committed to implementing actions that promote a safe and healthy work environment and sound management practices that allow individuals to develop professionally and personally.
Quality Commitment Seal
In February 2021, the Foundation was awarded the Quality Commitment Seal by the Comité décisionnel du Conseil québécois d’agrément. Engagement Qualité is an evaluation process adapted to the community environment that is similar to the accreditation process for health and social services institutions. The Quality Commitment seal publicly attests to the sound management and quality of practices of a community organization.
In addition to providing the community sector with a rigorous and credible program for recognizing the quality of practices, Quality Commitment aims to
- Engage community cancer organizations in a continuous improvement process
- Reassure decision-makers and professionals about the quality of services offered by community organizations
- Facilitate networking between health care institutions and community organizations
- Increase the recognition, credibility and reputation of community organizations
Volunteering tribute – Québec Award
On April 9, 2019, the Foundation received one of the Quebec government’s highest honours for voluntary action, the Hommage bénévolat-Québec Award. This award recognizes the Foundation’s development of innovative strategies, guidance and support of volunteers and promotion of their positive impact in our community.
The Foundation cares about the well-being of its volunteers. This is why it selects stimulating tasks based on volunteers’ interests, passions and needs and thus contribute to personal and professional growth. The Foundation guides its volunteers, whether they are spreading word about the cause, organizing and holding events or doing administrative work, to makes sure each is trained and fully included in the team.