Your partnership has made 2025 a transformative year for breast cancer prevention. The victories detailed below—from national market-based wins to groundbreaking community research—would not have been possible without your sustained commitment to our mission.
As you read about these achievements, please know that each milestone represents your investment in a healthier, toxic-free future. Thank you for making this progress possible.
MAJOR VICTORY: Baxter International Commits to DEHP-Free IVs Nationwide
Your support powered our Toxic-Free IV Campaign to achieve a stunning national victory, proving that strategic advocacy creates change far beyond state borders.
Building on our landmark 2024 California law banning DEHP (a harmful phthalate) in IV bags and tubes, we launched a multi-state campaign to pressure Baxter International—the nation’s largest IV supplier—to eliminate toxic PVC plastic nationwide. Our three-pronged approach included direct engagement with Baxter’s executive leadership, mobilization of legislative campaigns in five states (resulting in North Carolina’s governor signing a DEHP ban and New York introducing a bill banning both DEHP and PVC), and activation of hospitals and nurses to generate market demand for safer alternatives.
The result: On August 14th, Baxter announced it will eliminate DEHP from IVs nationwide by 2030—a major public health win that will protect millions of patients annually. This victory validates our theory of change and demonstrates how your investment in strategic California legislation, combined with targeted corporate pressure, transforms entire industries nationally.
Safer Beauty for All: National Legislative Leadership
BCPP led the reintroduction of our comprehensive Safer Beauty Bill Package in Congress – kicking off with a July virtual press conference – and generating unprecedented media attention and public awareness. We pitched 1,000 journalists, earning 302 traditional media features, and reaching 850 million people.
These four federal cosmetic safety bills (the Toxic-Free Beauty Act, the Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act, the Cosmetic Safety Protections for Communities of Color Act, and the Cosmetic Supply Chain Transparency Act) enable us to maintain this national dialogue and build momentum for meaningful regulatory reform that addresses the health disparities and toxic exposures affecting millions of Americans.
Protect Our Breasts Joins BCPP: Expanding Youth Education
Protect Our Breasts (POB), the country’s only national program aimed at educating college students about the toxic chemicals linked to breast cancer, was integrated into BCPP this February. To date, Protect Our Breasts has already influenced over 120,000 people through social media and their network of 50+ campus and community reps and chapters.
This strategic partnership unites BCPP’s expertise in science, market-based change, and public policy with POB’s proven success in engaging collegiate and high school communities to advance breast cancer prevention across campuses nationwide. Read more about this partnership and support this critical program to protect our youth from preventable disease.
California Legislative Recap: Building Momentum for 2026
BCPP co-sponsored and advocated for three critical California bills that will drive national change, given the state’s economic influence. While we faced gubernatorial setbacks this year, our advocacy built strong foundations for future success.
The Protecting Californians from Toxic Plastic Microbeads Act (AB 823)—which passed the Senate unanimously (39-0)—would have been the first-in-the-nation ban on intentionally added microplastics used for abrasive purposes in personal care and cleaning products. The Phasing Out Unnecessary Uses of PFAS Act (SB 682) would have banned unnecessary PFAS in cleaning products, dental floss, juvenile products, food packaging, and ski wax by 2028, and in cookware by 2030.
Despite their bipartisan support and strong backing from public health advocates, both common-sense protections were rejected by Governor Newsom. Our third bill, The Safer Food Packaging Act (AB 1148), continues as a two-year bill with an expanded coalition we’re building for 2026 success. Read our comprehensive response addressing the administration’s rationale and outlining our path forward.
Enhanced Public Reach: Website Redesign and Accessibility
As part of our efforts to improve BCPP’s accessibility and visibility to the general public, we redesigned our homepage and key webpages (Tips for Prevention, Current Initiatives, Consumer Guides, etc.) to be clearer, readable, and direct on who we are, what we do, and why prevention matters.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women worldwide and is now the leading cause of cancer death among Black women and all women ages 20-49. This alarming trend in breast cancer rates underscores the need to reach and connect with a broader audience on how to protect their health and reduce their risk to toxic chemicals and other exposures linked to the disease. Browse the new BCPP website to see our efforts to make prevention knowledge more accessible to millions.
2025 Events: Community Mobilization for Prevention
We’re so grateful to the hundreds of people across the country who took bold steps—literally—to fundraise over $783,000 for breast cancer prevention.
For our annual Climb Against the Odds, 18 climbers gathered at Mt. Shasta to set off on a mountaineering expedition in the name of prevention. They faced their fears, altitude, wind, and the pains of the climb, raising over $206,000 to support our bold mission of reducing exposures to toxic chemicals linked to breast cancer. Read about their journey.
The spiritual Sacred Trek: Dolomites took climbers on a 9-day journey across soaring peaks and fairytale settings of alpine meadows, lush forests, and serene lakes, and raised over $133,000 for prevention.
Our East Coast premier event, New England Peaks for Prevention (NEPP), brought together a passionate community who summited Mt. Washington and raised over $100,000 this year, pushing NEPP past the $1,000,000 mark since the event began 12 years ago! Support their milestone climb.
Our Hike for Prevention series wrapped up beautifully—with over 400 hikers representing 13 states raising $344,000 and counting for prevention. Join us for a 2026 event.
Heartfelt Stories of Survival, Advocacy, and Passion
Breast cancer affects everyone, and we’re proud to highlight stories of determination, survival, and change from our supporters.
Alongside celebrating our 30th anniversary Hike for Prevention, we honored longtime hiker, fundraiser, and advocate Kaki Saxon-Moyce, whose dedication embodies the heart of our movement. Nearly 30 years ago, Kaki transformed heartbreak into action. After losing her sister Emily to breast cancer at just 35 years old, Kaki created and led “Team Em the Gem” to hike for prevention in Emily’s memory. Team Em the Gem is the only team that has participated in all 30 annual hikes, with teams ranging from 8 to 62 members. Over three decades, they’ve raised over $260,000 for breast cancer prevention and inspired countless others to join the movement. Kaki’s unwavering commitment reminds us why this work matters: every hike, every dollar, every conversation brings us closer to a world where no one loses a loved one to a preventable disease. Read Kaki’s full story.
Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate. Men account for about 1% of all breast cancer cases. It may be rare, but it’s real – and silence around it can be deadly. Which is why male breast cancer survivor Eric van Gestel shared his story. When Eric noticed a lump in his chest, he never imagined it could be cancer. “Denial was easy. Facing it was harder.” But his story reminds us that early detection saves lives. Read Eric’s full story.
NEW Projects: Advancing Breast Cancer Prevention Through Research and Community
This fall, BCPP secured two major, multi-year grants from the California Breast Cancer Research Program to make significant strides in breast cancer prevention:
BLOOM: Breast Cancer Risk Literacy & Outreach for Organized Farmworker Mobilization partners with Líderes Campesinas, California Nurses for Environmental Health & Justice, and UC San Diego to develop culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials that empower farmworker women to reduce their breast cancer risk while building advocacy skills for stronger workplace protections.
Project TERI: Addressing Well Water Contaminants via Novel Testing and Exposure Reduction Interventions tackles water contamination in underserved California regions, collaborating with Community Water Center, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, policymakers, and health practitioners to address PFAS, 1,2,3-TCP, DEHP, and emerging mammary gland carcinogens through comprehensive monitoring, filtration, education, and state-level cleanup strategies.
Both projects represent BCPP’s commitment to environmental justice and our understanding that breast cancer prevention must address the root causes of exposure—particularly for communities bearing disproportionate toxic burdens.
BCPP’s Luminary Gala: 2025 Success and 2026 Tickets Now Available!
Our sold-out 2025 gala recognized luminaries who display excellence and commitment to protecting people and the planet. Honorees include: “Emerging Leaders” Assemblymember Lori Wilson, B. Braun, and CommonSpirit Health; “Pioneer in Prevention” Retired SFFD Chief Jeanine Nicholson; and “Community Activist” Professor Cynthia Barstow, Founder of Protect Our Breasts.
In 2026, we are moving to a new, larger venue to accommodate our growing community. The evening will feature inspiring stories of impact, updates on our groundbreaking work, and opportunities to connect with fellow advocates, scientists, and changemakers who share our vision of a world free from preventable breast cancer.
Join us on April 23, 2026, for BCPP’s Luminary Gala . Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to BCPP, this is an evening you won’t want to miss!
Looking Ahead Together
The achievements outlined in this report represent far more than annual milestones—they represent your vision, your commitment, and your belief in prevention as the path to a healthier future.
At BCPP, we simplify complex science, drive legislative change, and educate millions because you provide the resources and support that make this work possible. Together, we are reducing toxic exposures in everyday lives, protecting communities bearing disproportionate burdens, and building a movement that will prevent breast cancer for generations to come. Thank you for being an essential partner in this life-saving work.
We look forward to achieving even greater impact together in 2026.
