What We Do
OUR MISSION
West Virginia Breast Health Initiative aims to raise awareness and fund breast cancer programs with an emphasis on increasing breast health education, financially assisting breast cancer screenings, facilitating patient navigation, and providing survivor services.
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​​VISION STATEMENT
West Virginia Breast Health Initiative’s vision is that uninsured and under-insured West Virginians have access to life saving breast health screenings and treatment.
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OUR IMPACT
Misty’s Seeds of Hope granted over $50,000 to West Virginia hospitals and rural communities for breast health screenings.
Provided mammograms and other diagnostic screenings to over 35 West Virginia Counties.
Provided over 2,000 gas cards averaging $50 - $250 for treatment travel.
Provided 57 hotel accommodations for patients during travel and treatments.
Provided over 477 Survivor Kits
Distributed over 6,000 mammogram self-exam cards in Spanish and English.
Reached over 6,400 people at educational events and programs.
200 Survivors, medical professionals and caregivers were educated at our 1st Annual Breast Health Summit.
Joined forces with Vandalia Health Mobile Mammo Unit to screen 80 West Virginians in 5 visits.
Set the Vandalia Health Mobile Mammo Unit record for number of mammograms in a single day from 16 to 25.
2025 Annual Race for the Ribbon broke attendance and revenue records.
Who We Are
The West Virginia Breast Health Initiative was established in 2018 when there was a need for a statewide breast health organization. We received our 501 (c) 3 status in 2019. 100% of the funds raised in West Virginia stays in West Virginia.
Donna DeHart
WVBHI Executive Director
A WORD FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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On average in West Virginia, 6 people will die every week from breast cancer. WVBHI is working diligently to help change that statistic by working with others in our communities to raise awareness about early detection and to help remove some of the economic barriers to breast health care and treatments.
Ruth Kirshbel Jacobs said, “You don’t have to do great things, but the little things you are doing in your sphere of influence can be done with great conviction, great wisdom, great beauty and great love.”
2025 Board of Directors
Rebecca Van Der Meer
WVBHI President
After having breast cancer in the past five years, I felt the need to share my story and thoughts with those who are going through breast cancer. I have always been a nurturer and found that through the West Virginia Breast Health Initiative. By being a WVBHI Board member, it gives me the opportunity to share my support with those who are in need of mammograms and/or treatment.
Bryan Luzader
WVBHI Co-Vice President
Charleston Area Medical Center
I serve because I have lost family and friends to breast cancer and it has left an imprint on my life. As John Diamond once said, cancer is a word, not a sentence. I truly believe this statement to stand true. I am proud to serve on a Board where WE can make a difference for people during uncertain times.
Derek Hudson
WVBHI Co-Vice President
Executive Director at Bream SHOP Showers - Healthcare - Outreach Program
Pamela Valentine
WVBHI Secretary
Dupont, Retired
I support the West Virginia Breast Health Initiative to raise breast cancer awareness, fight the cause and to do whatever is possible to help as many West Virginians as we can.
Dolores Rose
WVBHI Treasurer
Baker Tilly, US, LLP
I chose to support WVBHI because I want to make a positive impact on our community supporting a cause that is very personal to me. The services provided by WVBHI are a vital resource for our community and I am honored to contribute my time and skills to support their mission.
Chris Gosses
Member at Large
Chris Gosses Photography &
WV Rainbow Pride President
I am proud to be part of such a vital community driven local organization. WVBHI cares about the West Virginia community and the hardships that people face in the battle against breast cancer.
Julie Palas
Member at Large
Executive Director at the James "Tiger" Morton Catastrophic Illness Commission
I choose to be on the WVBHI BOD knowing lives are saved and enriched throughout West Virginia via financial, collaborative and peer support. I appreciate the compassionate commitment of its staff, volunteers and partners so as many people as possible can take advantage of WVBHI's free critical services and referral connections.
Kelli Harris
Member at Large
My reason for wanting to be on the board is I want to broaden my understanding of complex social and medical issues and the challenges we face as a community in hopes that I can make a positive impact and help maybe save lives.
Jessica Carter Summers
Member at Large, Survivor
A family law attorney with clients throughout the state of West Virginia and a triple negative breast cancer survivor. She serves on the Parent Advisory Board for Bright Spot Network and is the West Virginia State Lead for the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, where she champions policy changes to improve outcomes for cancer patients and survivors. Jessica is also the founder and coordinator of Radiant Resilience Collective, a weekly support group for women undergoing or recovering from any type of cancer treatment. Jessica lives in Kanawha County with her husband, Vaughn Summers, and their blended family of four children: Knox and Kingston Carter, and Claudia and Elenore Summers.
Amber Vandall
Member at Large
A dear friend as well as a family member I have are both breast cancer survivors. A myriad of other cancers have ran through my grandmother, great-grandmother, grandfather, uncle, and while my wish was to do anything and everything to ease any part of their battle, I felt helpless! It wasn't until I survived a terrible car accident, and had a breast cancer scare of my own, that I understood, sometimes a smile, a hug, a hand to hold is enough. I feel like I have been led to work with West Virginia Breast Health Initiative, with a new found passion and understanding that ladies, sometimes we have to put life on hold, and put ourselves first! The things we think can never happen to us, do in fact happen. A mammogram was the 40th birthday gift I didn't get myself, and had to wait for broken ribs and my back to heal enough to get that lump checked. I want to be there to support survivors and encourage women to control the controllables. Getting a yearly mammogram is a peace of mind that you didn't know you needed!
Patty Rosebourgh
Honorary BOD, Survivor
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I never anticipated the care and support from people I had never met. WVBHI became a part of my family that responded to many of my physical, mental, and financial needs. I truly felt I had a collective shoulder to help me navigate my journey. It was not enough to say “thank you”, and now as a BOD, I am able to put my gratitude into action for others and welcome them to the family of warriors.