ABOUT US

Our mission

Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation providing education, awareness, and survivor support programs for young people. Founded in 1996, B4BC hosts year-round grassroots events, educational outreach, and survivor wellness retreats to further its mission of promoting early detection and a healthy, active lifestyle as the best means of breast cancer prevention.

We believe in

  • Education and its power to inspire + impact positive lifestyle changes.
  • Promoting the pursuit of a healthy + active lifestyle.
  • Supporting young women + those affected by breast cancer.
  • Empowering young people to be their own best advocate in breast cancer prevention.
  • Celebrating life at every turn, both on + off a board!

Our programs

We’re on the road year round at various surf, skate, and snow events, mountain resorts, music festivals, and more with the simple message of Early Detection + Healthy, Active Lifestyle = Best Prevention.

Our activations include:
Traveling Education Booth –  B4BC’s unique booth with ‘Hands On’ education on early detection

Love Your Peaks Winter Series  – Prevention + awareness fundraising events with partner resorts

Summer Skate Series – Prevention + awareness fundraising events on wheels

Chasing Sunshine Survivor Wellness Retreats – Survivorship Support

Our impact

Since 1996, B4BC has educated over 1,000,000 young people how to do a self breast exam and the importance of early detection and a healthy active lifestyle. B4BC has also demonstrated a commitment to giving back to local communities and like minded organizations by awarding the following:

  • Over $1,000,000 in funds raised through B4BC’s Snowboard + Music Festivals. Beneficiaries have included The Breast Cancer Fund, The Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research, and a variety of regional breast cancer support organizations.
  • Over 210 Grants to young breast cancer patients and survivors to attend Chasing Sunshine Wellness Retreats from 2009 – present.
  • $25,000 to support 27 climbers from the Breast Cancer Fund’s 2012 Climb Against the Odds; provided The North Face outerwear for their Mt. Shasta ascent.
  • Over $250,000 in Grants to local communities through B4BC’s signature winter and summer fundraising campaigns. Beneficiaries have included Camp Good Days, The HERA Foundation, The Munson Medical Center, Tahoe Forest Health System, New Mexico’s Anita Salas Memorial Fund, The Cancer Support Community, Mammoth Hospital, The Breasties, The Cancer Warrior Foundation, and many others.

Our inspiration

The inspiration for Boarding for Breast Cancer was a young woman named Monica Steward, who started her battle with breast cancer at the age of 26. She passed two years later from complications that arose from a delayed diagnosis.

Monica was part of the early snowboard industry, and urged her friends in snowboarding to use their platform as a way to raise awareness for this disease among young women. Leading the charge was Lisa Hudson, a friend of Monica’s. Along with Dawn Kish, Kathleen Gasparini, and others, they rallied the leaders in the industry from board, clothing, and media companies for their support in honor of Monica. In April 1996, the first ever B4BC Snowboard + Music Festival was born with pro snowboarders Tina Basich and Shannon Dunn as spokeswomen. The event centered around their passions of snowboarding and music, while highlighting the importance of education on early detection of the disease. Sadly, Monica passed away right before the event but her spirit shone on that day in a celebration of life and love.


The success of the event inspired the founding of B4BC.

HELP US REACH MORE!

We believe in empowering young people to be their own best advocate in breast cancer prevention by equipping them with the tools they need.
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Our team

LISA HUDSON

Co-founder & President

MAGGIE GONZALEZ

Events + Outreach Director

MEGAN PISHKE

Wellness Director + Marketing Manager

CURTIS STERNER

Special Events Director

CHRISTINA BOERSMA

Outreach Coordinator

ZOE PATTIN

Graphic Designer + Event Coordinator

Board of Directors

Lisa Hudson | B4BC Co-Founder / Board Chairwoman / President, Black Sun Productions

Laura Abrahamson | B4BC Board Treasurer / SVP, Assistant General Counsel, AECOM

Molly MacDonald Scott | B4BC Board Secretary/VP of Event Operations for Plus Foundry

Circe Wallace | B4BC Board Member / Senior Vice President, Wasserman Media Group

Sandra Warde White | B4BC Board Member / President of Warde Capital Cooperation

Jennee Julius I B4BC Board Member / Senior Group Manager At Hyundai Motor America

Janeane Ardolino I Board Member  / Sr. Director Marketing – USA EHP Labs