MEET RUTH FEIGELSON
By Chris Kupka
BCAM Connected is inaugurating a new feature, Meet our Donors and Supporters.
In this issue, we would like to introduce you to Ruth Feigelson, a long-time Breast Cancer Action Montreal (BCAM) supporter, whose personal history had a great deal to do with why she has chosen to make an ongoing commitment to the organization.
In 1998, Ruth became aware of her friend Rose Alper’s involvement with BCAM as a member of the Board of Directors. At the time, Ruth had two daughters-in-law—both had been diagnosed with breast cancer. One of them, Nancy Guberman, had become a BCAM member because its mission and message were unusual for the time and were very thought-provoking. Nancy subsequently motivated two friends to become board members, and she is currently the board’s president. Ruth feels that encouraging Nancy’s involvement with BCAM was the “best contribution” she’s made.
Over the years, Ruth has been attending the Annual General Meeting in order to familiarize herself with BCAM’s focus and accomplishments. She said she was impressed because “they are doing so much.” She also appreciates that BCAM has been reaching out to a wider audience as well as to other organizations.
Ruth is particularly impressed by the number of younger people who have become involved with BCAM. These new supporters have managed BCAM initiatives such as the Endocrine Disruptor Campaign, FemmeToxic, and other recurring outreach events.
Ruth has been a generous BCAM donor through the Abe and Ruth Feigelson Foundation, supporting BCAM’s efforts to spread its message nationally and internationally. She is particularly pleased that BCAM has established a strict policy of not accepting money from pharmaceutical companies, which is highly unusual within the breast cancer milieu.
BCAM’s members and staff salute Ruth and are extremely grateful for her support over these many years.