The Mission of BCFO
Since 2000, Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks has been helping local families with a loved one in treatment for breast cancer pay their bills so they can concentrate on each other and fighting cancer. The organization started when Mary Beth O’Reilly of the O’Reilly Auto Parts family was diagnosed. She met other women also fighting breast cancer and decided she could make a positive impact in their lives.
History:
Kristen O’Brien Hardy came to Springfield after graduating from school in Florida. Kristen was newly married and looking forward to starting a family in the Ozarks.
Kristen found a lump in her breast when she was 27 years old but was told she was too young to have breast cancer. When Kristen did consult a surgeon, the diagnosis of breast cancer was made one year after her initial inquiry regarding the lump.
Linda McAllister, now a former board member and at the time a business associate and friend of Kristen’s, knew Kristen had no family in the area and was in a terrible emotional state about her diagnosis and prognosis. Linda felt the support of other survivors in the area would be helpful to Kristen. Mary Beth O’Reilly met Kristen at Kristen’s first chemotherapy treatment. They became good friends.
Mary Beth introduced her to other survivors of breast cancer who became friends with Kristen through her long battle with the disease. On December 18, 1998, Kristen O’Brien Hardy lost her life to recurrent breast cancer at the age of 31.
Kristen’s friends and family who desired to make memorial contributions on her behalf wanted funds to be available to assist others dealing with breast cancer. They also wanted the funds to stay local. At that time, there was no vehicle to ensure that their contributions would go directly back into the community.
In May 1999, Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks was established to provide help and hope to local families impacted by breast cancer. The first contribution was made by BCFO founder, Mary Beth O’Reilly, and matched by Kristen’s surgeon, Joni Scott, MD, in tribute to all the patients Dr. Scott has treated for breast cancer. Other breast cancer survivors and friends of Kristen have made donations in her memory as well. Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks incorporated on February 23, 2000 and received not-for-profit status the following year.
Education on a variety of issues is an emphasis for BCFO because of situations like Kristen’s. She sought medical attention for a lump in her breast a year prior to her diagnosis and was told she was too young for breast cancer. Because of this and similar situations, there is a need to focus education on those under 40 as well as those over 40.
In 2010, BCFO began an effort to increase screening rates in southwest Missouri by offering free screening mammograms. The organization now sells Missouri state tax credits to help fund the program that offers more than 1,000 vouchers to women who are uninsured or under-insured annually. BCFO also offers extra financial assistance to breast cancer patients for the needs of children in the home during the time of treatment and again during Christmas. The Rosalie O’Reilly Wooten Children’s Fund helps families pay for hundreds of children’s needs every year. The Connie Cunninghan Lymphadema program offers free garments to people who suffer lymphedema after or during breast cancer treatment. BCFO partners with the Shelly Sachs Foundation by paying for a wig for those who need one fitted professionally in a special wig room at the GYN Cancer Alliance. Our U35 program helps pay for diagnostic testing for anyone too young to receive assistance from Missouri health programs.
History:
Kristen O’Brien Hardy came to Springfield after graduating from school in Florida. Kristen was newly married and looking forward to starting a family in the Ozarks.
Kristen found a lump in her breast when she was 27 years old but was told she was too young to have breast cancer. When Kristen did consult a surgeon, the diagnosis of breast cancer was made one year after her initial inquiry regarding the lump.
Linda McAllister, now a former board member and at the time a business associate and friend of Kristen’s, knew Kristen had no family in the area and was in a terrible emotional state about her diagnosis and prognosis. Linda felt the support of other survivors in the area would be helpful to Kristen. Mary Beth O’Reilly met Kristen at Kristen’s first chemotherapy treatment. They became good friends.
Mary Beth introduced her to other survivors of breast cancer who became friends with Kristen through her long battle with the disease. On December 18, 1998, Kristen O’Brien Hardy lost her life to recurrent breast cancer at the age of 31.
Kristen’s friends and family who desired to make memorial contributions on her behalf wanted funds to be available to assist others dealing with breast cancer. They also wanted the funds to stay local. At that time, there was no vehicle to ensure that their contributions would go directly back into the community.
In May 1999, Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks was established to provide help and hope to local families impacted by breast cancer. The first contribution was made by BCFO founder, Mary Beth O’Reilly, and matched by Kristen’s surgeon, Joni Scott, MD, in tribute to all the patients Dr. Scott has treated for breast cancer. Other breast cancer survivors and friends of Kristen have made donations in her memory as well. Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks incorporated on February 23, 2000 and received not-for-profit status the following year.
Education on a variety of issues is an emphasis for BCFO because of situations like Kristen’s. She sought medical attention for a lump in her breast a year prior to her diagnosis and was told she was too young for breast cancer. Because of this and similar situations, there is a need to focus education on those under 40 as well as those over 40.
In 2010, BCFO began an effort to increase screening rates in southwest Missouri by offering free screening mammograms. The organization now sells Missouri state tax credits to help fund the program that offers more than 1,000 vouchers to women who are uninsured or under-insured annually. BCFO also offers extra financial assistance to breast cancer patients for the needs of children in the home during the time of treatment and again during Christmas. The Rosalie O’Reilly Wooten Children’s Fund helps families pay for hundreds of children’s needs every year. The Connie Cunninghan Lymphadema program offers free garments to people who suffer lymphedema after or during breast cancer treatment. BCFO partners with the Shelly Sachs Foundation by paying for a wig for those who need one fitted professionally in a special wig room at the GYN Cancer Alliance. Our U35 program helps pay for diagnostic testing for anyone too young to receive assistance from Missouri health programs.