WTNH Interview October 20, 2022

* 100 % of Funds Go To Metastatic Breast Cancer Research

​​BREAST  FRIENDS  FUND​​(BFF)​

Dr. Eric Winer's message from Yale Cancer Center


We are very Proud and Excited to Have Raised Over $ 1,128,897

in Total Contributions !!
Looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming BFF Events !


Sandy's Story Updated February 2022


Sandy was initially diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 37, on May 30, 2013. 

She chose to have a bilateral mastectomy followed by 8 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation. 

Soon after the end of radiation treatment, Sandy was declared cancer-free. 

Unfortunately, in April 2015, Sandy was no longer a breast cancer survivor.  Sandy was told that the breast cancer had spread to her liver and she was now living with Stage 4  Metastatic Breast Cancer with no cure.

After being on FDA-approved treatment for 3 years in July 2018 Sandy was told her cancer is growing & she needed to find a new treatment.
Sandy enrolled in a clinical trial that did not work in battling her cancer.  Sandy received another FDA-approved treatment beginning in October 2018. 


  • In January 2020, after a scan, Sandy again discovered her meds were not working.  Sandy is on a newly FDA-approved drug.
  • In September 2020 Sandy's new meds stopped working.  She was on an immunotherapy clinical trial which uses funds raised by charities like BFF, but it did not work for her. 
  • November 2020 Sandy started IV Chemotherapy-which worked until April 2021
  • Since April 2021, Sandy has tried 2 Oral FDA Approved treatments; neither worked for her
  • January 2022- Sandy transferred her care to Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, and began IV Chemotherapy which failed in March of 2022.
  • Sandy began newly FDA-approved Enhertu Chemotherapy in March 2022 which was not working by June of 2022.
  • In July 2022 Sandy began Phase 1 Clinical Trial at Yale Cancer Center which was effective until December 2022.
  • In January 2023 Sandy began her 12th treatment, Trodelvy chemotherapy.  


Please keep our family in your prayers.

We will update more soon.... 

Photo by Carrie Draghi Photography

Sandy's with her current Medical team at Yale, on the left, Dr. Maryam Lustberg and on the right 
​Dr. Eric Winer

​​​Thanks to Everyone who Attended, Sponsored and Donated to Taste the Cure 2023!  
We had a record-breaking year,

Raising over $184,050 for Research and

We had a Lot of Fun !

WTNH Interview May 10, 2202. Sandy's
with Alyssa Taglia, WTNH (left) and 
​Dr. Eric Winer (right)

Photo by Walt Jedziniak 

Metastatic Breast Cancer Facts*:


  • 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.
  • Metastatic Breast Cancer affects over 30% of these diagnosed women.
  • Metastatic breast cancer accounts for approximately 42,000 death in the United States annually.
  • Currently, only 7% of all Breast Cancer Research funding is allocated to Metastatic Breast Cancer Research.
  • 116 women die daily from Metastatic breast cancer.
  • The average life expectancy for those with Metastatic Breast Cancer is 3 years.
  • Currently there is NO Cure for Metastatic Breast Cancer.

*Metastatic Breast Cancer Network  


When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, such as the bones, brain, liver, or lungs, it is called metastatic (also referred to as advanced or stage IV).

Although it is not curable, metastatic breast cancer can be treatable. Today, with new therapies, including biologic targeted treatments and novel drug combinations, women with metastatic breast cancer can live well for many years.

Who is Eric Winer
Metastatic Breast 
​Cancer Facts

Sandy on New Channel 8 discussing her runner up status for the "Remarkable Woman" Award in CT-  Feb 2020

2022 Taste the Cure, June 7, 2022

$135,829 funds Raised  ​

Eric P. Winer, MD, is the new director of Yale Cancer Center and physician-in-chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital. Dr. Winer, is also an Alfred Gilman Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology. 


"Dr. Winer is a nationally-recognized leader in breast cancer care and research, a much sought-after mentor for younger clinicians and an advocate for his patients," said Marna Borgstrom, chief executive officer, Yale New Haven Health, in a press statement.


The new era in breast cancer research and care is focused on deepening the understanding of the complex interactions between the molecular underpinnings of cancer itself, the tumor’s microenvironment, and the body’s immune. Inspired by their patients, Dr. Winer and his team of physician-scientists have a bold, comprehensive approach focused on tackling the most vexing problems in breast cancer.


Philanthropic support is critical to the development of more effective strategies to better address treatment resistance and metastases.

 Your philanthropic support is vital to accelerating this work.