Bay Area Cancer Connections

What Bay Area Cancer Connections does

Bay Area Cancer Connections (BACC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by breast cancer patient Jill Freidenrich and surgeon Dr. Ellen Mahoney, headquartered in San Mateo, California, and serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The organization provides free, personalized support services to individuals affected by breast or ovarian cancer, including survivors, patients, caregivers, and family members. Its service portfolio spans a Resource Center with pro-bono counseling and medical research consultations, a BACC Boutique distributing free wigs, prosthetics, and adaptive clothing, 50+ monthly wellness and fitness classes, peer support groups, cancer information and education programs, early detection resources, and financial assistance through the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Emergency Fund (BOCEF).

BACC's service delivery combines an in-person Resource Center with a Virtual Resource Center, and is supported by a community referral network anchored by partnerships with Stanford Health Care, Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, and El Camino Health. All programs are delivered at no cost to clients, with the organization funded through individual donations, corporate philanthropy, foundation grants, and signature fundraising events including the Spring Benefit and Annual Cancer Conference. Technology is not a core component of the offering; the value proposition is human-delivered support, peer connection, and practical resources.

BACC has expanded its mission over time, adding ovarian cancer services in 2013 and merging with the Latina Breast Cancer Agency in 2018 to extend reach to underserved populations through the Bay Area Disparities Coalition (BAD-Co). The organization is led by Executive Director Rina Bello and a Board of Directors, and has maintained a Charity Navigator 4-star rating for 13 consecutive years and a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, indicating sustained operational and financial credibility within the community nonprofit sector.

Name

Bay Area Cancer Connections

Legal name

Bay Area Cancer Connections

Website

https://bayareacancer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bay Area Cancer Connections is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that provides free personalized support services to breast and ovarian cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and families in the San Francisco Bay Area through a Resource Center, wellness programs, financial assistance, and medical provider partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Cancer Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Gynecologic Oncology & Women’s Cancer Centers (HLAFAJAK)

Keywords

• Breast cancer support
• Ovarian cancer support
• Cancer support services
• Cancer information education
• Community cancer resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Palo Alto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Philanthropic Support: The organization is funded through individual donations, corporate philanthropy, foundation grants, and fundraising events (Spring Benefit, Annual Conference). All programs and services are provided free of charge to clients.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 77-0417605.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bay Area Cancer Connections provides a free, all-inclusive support system for anyone affected by breast or ovarian cancer, delivered through a physical Resource Center and Virtual Resource Center. Offerings include a Buddy Program connecting patients with survivor peers, pro-bono counseling, personalized medical research and cancer education, the BACC Boutique supplying free wigs/prosthetics/apparel, support groups, wellness and fitness classes, early detection resources, and emergency financial assistance via the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Emergency Fund (BOCEF). All services are provided at no charge to clients and are funded by donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Bay Area Cancer Connections is a nonprofit organization offering a unified portfolio of free support services for anyone affected by breast or ovarian cancer. The core offerings include a Resource Center providing personalized support through buddy programs, pro-bono counseling, and medical research services; a BACC Boutique offering free wigs, prosthetics, and adaptive clothing; over 50 monthly wellness and fitness classes; support groups; cancer education programs; and financial assistance through the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Emergency Fund. The organization also hosts an Annual Cancer Conference and Spring Benefit events. All services are provided free of charge to clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Resource Center All-inclusive, free support system offering buddy programs, pro-bono counseling, medical research services, wig boutique, support groups, wellness and fitness classes, and more, designed to help breast and ovarian cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members navigate the cancer journey.
• One-on-One Programs (Buddy Program) Personalized one-on-one support that matches cancer patients with trained survivor volunteers for peer support, providing an individual companion throughout the cancer journey.
• Support Groups Free peer support groups for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members, including specialized groups such as the Young Women's group.
• Wellness and Fitness Classes Free in-person and partner-hosted wellness and fitness classes for cancer patients and survivors, including Yoga for Healing & Recovery, Healthy Steps, Pilates Matwork, Zumba, and the Living Strong Living Well 12-week strength training program.
• Cancer Information and Education Personalized medical research, pathology report explanations, clinical trial information, and a library of cancer books, journal articles, and pamphlets provided free to clients seeking information about treatment, diagnosis, and side effects.
• BACC Boutique On-site boutique providing free wigs, hats, scarves, bras, breast prostheses, and swimsuits, along with fittings and wig care supplies, for breast cancer patients and survivors.
• Early Detection Programs Programs and educational resources focused on the early detection of breast and ovarian cancer.
• Financial Assistance (Breast and Ovarian Cancer Emergency Fund) Emergency financial assistance for breast and ovarian cancer patients and survivors, provided through the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Emergency Fund (BOCEF).
• Virtual Resource Center Online platform offering funtivities, practical resources, exercise and nutrition resources, and stress and anxiety management resources for those affected by cancer.
• Annual Cancer Conference Annual educational conference featuring medical experts, updates on cancer treatments and wellness programming, and a resource fair for the breast and ovarian cancer community.
• Program Calendar (Monthly Programming) Over 50 free classes, support groups, and events offered each month to support those going through cancer, their caregivers, friends, and family.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 free classes, support groups, and events monthly
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Latina Breast Cancer Agency (LBCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2018Merged into BACC in September 2018. LBCA provided free access to breast health resources for low income women and women of color. This merger expanded BACC's reach to underserved populations.
• Stanford Health CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical network partner providing community connections and referral pathways. Part of BACC's Community Network backed by prestigious Bay Area medical organizations.
• Sutter HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical network partner providing community connections and referral pathways. Part of BACC's Community Network backed by prestigious Bay Area medical organizations.
• Kaiser PermanentecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical network partner providing community connections and referral pathways. Part of BACC's Community Network backed by prestigious Bay Area medical organizations.
• El Camino HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical network partner providing community connections and referral pathways. Part of BACC's Community Network backed by prestigious Bay Area medical organizations.
• DLA PiperminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCorporate volunteer partner providing legal expertise. Tulin Gurer from DLA Piper led BACC through complex transaction of acquiring the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund's financial assistance program.
• Breathing SpacesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing mindfulness and meditation resources for family caregivers. BACC partner affiliate bringing additional support resources to the community.
• YMCA (Living Strong Living Well Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting free 12-week strength and fitness training program designed for adult cancer survivors at locations throughout the Bay Area.
• PJCC (Pink Ribbon Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing personal training specifically designed to enhance recovery for breast cancer patients at PJCC in Foster City.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Smile program allows supporters to designate BACC as their charity, with Amazon donating a percentage of qualifying purchases to the organization.
• Mani di Angeli (Italian American Women's Guild)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVolunteer group that creates and sews dolls for pediatric wards and heart pillows for BACC clients. Awarded Volunteer Group of the Year in 2019. During COVID-19, also sewed masks for local hospitals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Susan G. Komen (San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate): National breast cancer nonprofit with a Bay Area affiliate delivering education, screening, patient navigation, and community-based support — directly comparable mission, services, and donor base.
• Cancer Support Community (San Francisco Bay Area): Free psychosocial support nonprofit providing counseling, support groups, education, and wellness programs to cancer patients and families — closely matching BACC's service model and target population.
• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition: National nonprofit focused on ovarian cancer awareness, education, and patient support — directly comparable to BACC's ovarian cancer programming and survivor services.
• Living Beyond Breast Cancer: National nonprofit providing education, support, and community for breast cancer patients and survivors across all stages — closely matches BACC's educational and support-group offerings.
• Young Survival Coalition: Nonprofit dedicated to young women with breast cancer, offering peer support, resources, and advocacy — comparable on focus area (women's breast cancer) and survivorship programming.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: Largest national cancer nonprofit providing patient support, transportation, lodging, and 24/7 helpline — overlapping patient services and donor base, but at national scale.

Emerging players

• Sharsheret: National Jewish breast and ovarian cancer organization providing culturally relevant support and education — overlapping mission and one-on-one peer support model.
• FORCE: Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered: Nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by hereditary breast, ovarian, and related cancers via education, support, and research — analogous in cancer-navigation services.
• Bright Pink: Nonprofit focused on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women — similar educational and early-detection focus as BACC.

Others

• Latina Breast Cancer Agency (formerly, pre-merger): Predecessor organization now merged into BACC; included for historical context as a peer entity providing culturally appropriate breast cancer resources to underserved women.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJ_8Kjt0AKeMW4J8mkLL_DA
• Facebookfacebook.com/bayareacancer
• Instagraminstagram.com/bayareacancer
• Xx.com/bayareacancer

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bay Area Cancer Connections