Building Up DC's Breast Cancer Care

Just two years ago, Breast Care for Washington was being formed. Earlier this year, with the help of McDermott, it launched the first and only state-of-the-art breast cancer screening facility east of the Anacostia.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we couldn't think of a better time to check out this law firm-nonprofit partnership. Here's Breast Cancer for Washington co-founder and CEO Beth Beck and board member and McDermott legislative counsel Karen Sealander. DC has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the country, Beth tells us. We snapped the two women (who first met at Karen's neighbor's house, Sen. Mary Landrieu) in front of McDermott's Capitol Hill office. The firm did pro bono work for the nonprofit such as helping it navigate certificate of need requirements.

The firm also helped BCW get the equipment it needs—med tech company Hologic donated top-of-the-line equipment, including 3D mammography technology. It was the first time Hologic had done that, so McDermott assisted with the grant agreement. Here, Beth and her BCW co-founder, breast surgeon Dr. Regina Hampton, proudly display the new equipment—the first of its kind in an underserved area of DC. The facility launched in May and has already screened more than 350 women, whom it serves regardless of their ability to pay. 

BCW's launch party was held at McDermott (as was a "jeans day" that raised more than $3,000). Here's DC managing partner Paul Thompson giving his remarks at the grand opening. The quick launch of BCW was also facilitated by the Ward 8 construction of a medical facility by Community of Hope. With the equipment donated and the building there, the nonprofit moved in. Next year, it's opening a mobile screening clinic. Usually, that would have come first, Beth says, but all of the stars aligned.