The Tyanna Foundation establishes significant support
for Virtua’s Breast Care Comfort Fund in loving memory
of their mother, Tyanna Barre O’Brien.
When Tyanna Barre O’Brien lost her battle with breast cancer in 1990
at the age of 48, she left behind five daughters who, today, carry on a
powerful legacy in honor of their cherished mother by helping other
cancer patients and survivors.
What started as a grassroots fundraising effort in the late 1990s is now
a force to be reckoned with – a nonprofit organization that generates
significant funding to promote early detection and care for women facing
a breast cancer diagnosis.
“It’s overwhelming to see how cancer continues to affect so many of our
family and friends,” said Sara O’Brien. “It really only strengthens our
determination to emphasize the importance of early detection. We can’t
say it enough. Early detection saves lives.”
The Tyanna Foundation has been a valued Virtua Foundation partner since
2009 when the O’Brien sisters first directed proceeds from their signature
annual event, BreastFest, to support breast cancer services at Virtua.
In 2012, the Tyanna Foundation made a transformational pledge of
$200,000 to Virtua Foundation in support of Virtua’s Breast Care
Comfort Fund, which provides wigs, scarves, transportation and
medication for women who are unable to otherwise afford them.
This support often means more than added comfort – it increases the
likelihood of survival, ensuring patients get the care and treatment they
need after they leave Virtua.
To recognize the commitment from The Tyanna Foundation, Virtua
Foundation will dedicate the Women’s Surgical Unit at Virtua Voorhees
and name the fund in memory of Tyanna Barre O’Brien
in 2013.
“The mission of the Tyanna Foundation to save lives through early
detection impacts so many lives right here in South Jersey,” said Rose
McManus Coleman, vice president, Virtua Foundation. “We are grateful
for the continued support the O’Brien sisters have given Virtua, but
more importantly, to families just like their own who depend on us
for care and comfort.”
It’s overwhelming to see
how cancer continues
to affect so many of our
friends and family,”
SARA O’BRIEN,
The Tyanna Foundation
BREAST CARE
COMFORT FUND
An ongoing challenge faced by Virtua’s
nurses and other clinicians is how to best
serve those who lack health insurance or are
simply unable to afford the items necessary
for their care. Virtua has encountered a large
number of patients who need assistance with
the basic necessities. To meet these critical
needs, Virtua Foundation established the
Breast Care Comfort Fund. Gifts to this fund
allow Virtua staff to provide patients in need
of financial assistance with co-payments,
medical compression sleeves to prevent
lymph edema, wigs and scarves, prescription
medicine, and cab or bus fare to treatment.
A contribution to this program creates the
ability to fund the simple basic needs of
breast cancer patients, providing them with
resources to continue healing once they leave
the hospital. Virtua’s goal is to make sure
patients have what they need to heal at
home, and to prevent relapses and additional
illnesses from occurring. This could have an
overwhelming impact in increasing favorable
patient outcomes.
‘‘
7
A POWERFUL TRIBUTE
Sisters Bridget, Megan, Katie and Anne
