The primary focus of the Alaska Run for Women’s fundraising efforts is to create awareness and decrease the impact of breast cancer on our Alaska communities through education, outreach, research, early detection and treatment.
Each year, the organization provides grant funds for special projects focusing on breast cancer issues. Funds are allotted annually through a set review process, which takes place in September. Grant applications are due August 15, 2026.
Breast cancer touches so many in so many different ways. Have you, a friend or family member been impacted by breast cancer? Do you have a project that furthers the message, broadens awareness or provides resources for breast cancer information? Link to 2025 Grant Application.
Mary Katzke, founder and Executive Director, is a stage 4 breast cancer survivor, and in this “Legacy Project,” she and other mentors will lead breast cancer survivors in telling and recording their personal stories chronicling their battles with advanced stages of breast cancer.
ACAT is an environmental action organization with a statewide focus. This year’s funding is to continue to support their environmental health program: “Preventing Breast Cancer Among Young People.” It aims to educate young people with science based information on the importance of decreasing chemical exposures in day to day life to help decrease breast cancer risk.
This funding will support continued development of a Peer Leader Navigator (PLN) project. The program is designed to create greater breast cancer awareness through outreach by PLNs in culturally diverse communities in the Anchorage area.
Funding is in partial support of an ACA-sponsored clinical research project entitled “Enhancer Mechanisms and Interventions in Breast Cancer Endocrine Resistance.” Findings can expand knowledge of therapy resistance, and lead to the successful development of new drugs and therapies for patients with endocrine-resistant breast cancers.
Funding supports the BCDC Mobile Mammography program based out of Fairbanks. This program travels to remote Alaska communities providing quality services for women in need regardless of ability to pay.
This organization stages Community Health Forums yearly and maintains a “Let’s Talk” peer support program for cancer patients. This grant provides funding to enable streaming of these programs to most rural communities in Southeast Alaska.
This program is geared to women survivors of breast cancer using the power of nature through the therapeutic sport of fly fishing. It marries the physical therapy of fly fishing with the emotional support of group therapy. Funding will support two fly fishing retreats in Alaska in the Fall of 2026.
KBFPC Breast Health Access Program provides the Kenai Peninsula with crucial breast health information and connects women with affordable preventative and diagnostic support. This year funding will support the Outreach Team’s efforts in community educational activities.
This grant will provide scholarships for Breast Cancer Survivors to take part in the XTRA TUFFS program. This integrated team approach introduces healthy lifestyle changes including weekly physical, nutritional and mental health support to help members create integrative whole-body wellness
NBCF is an organization created to fill critical gaps in breast cancer education and care. The goal of this program is to reduce the financial barriers that prevents underserved populations of Alaska’s women from accessing timely care. NBCF will partner with Alaska Breast and Cervical Screening Assistance Program to distribute funds to eligible women based on financial need.
This project will provide free post-mastectomy supplies that are not reimbursable by insurance to breast cancer patients.
This organization works with more than 230 clinical researchers and maintains an A+ rating from Charity Watch. This grant will help support translational clinical research studies geared toward changing and improving breast cancer treatment.
(Max Kullberg, UAA Research Professor)This lab is involved in developing therapies to activate immunological anti-tumor response in breast cancer patients. Their current research targets to improve means of delivering tumor antigens to antigen processing cells and thus produce a more robust and lasting immune response.
This organization has a goal to deliver a Care and Wellness Program to 10 new Alaska breast cancer patients in 2025 collaborating with Central Peninsula Hospital. They aim to assist new breast cancer patients in gaining access to services that address side effects of treatment such as nausea, pain and neuropathy, while improving emotional well-being, physical health and quality of life.
WomenLISTEN (Laugh, Inform, Support, Talk, Empower, and Network) is a grassroots organization founded in 2002 by a group of women cancer survivors. Funding will support a women’s breast cancer survivors retreat experience in Girdwood that promotes emotional, mental and physical healing, focusing on quality of life and survivorship.
Funding will be used to support the YMCA’s flagship cancer support programs, LIVESTRONG and No One Fights Alone. The goals are to empower adult breast cancer survivors in Anchorage and the MatSu Valley to rebuild physical and emotional health following treatment through structured wellness programing, peer support, and access to resources.
