ZTA Foundation Announces a Two-Year Research Grant

The Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation has announced a special grant of $500,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to fund an innovative two-year research project.

Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy Sherry Server Tilley announced the support of this impactful project on Friday, July 15, during the Think Pink® luncheon at Convention 2022. The grant celebrates the 30th anniversary of ZTA’s focus on breast cancer education and awareness as its national philanthropy.

“Millions of lives have been impacted by ZTA, our members and our continued commitment to Think Pink,” Mrs. Tilley said. “Now we will focus on continued growth by investing in new opportunities for impact. This is a game-changer for breast cancer research and it is an honor to have ZTA be a part of that.”

The project brings together technology, in the form of artificial intelligence, and healthcare in a game-changing way to save millions of lives by looking not just for cancer itself, but for the “seeds” of cancer to predict future growth. This new predictive methodology promises to be more effective, provide increased accessibility and availability to all women, and diminish the disparity and disproportionality of outcomes by making predictive screening easier, more accurate and more affordable.

Two distinguished female researchers will lead the project. Dr. Regina Barzilay is an MIT Distinguished Professor of Engineering and head of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab. She is also a breast cancer survivor. Dr. Constance Lehman is Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical school and Chief of Breast Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital.

After the announcement, Foundation President Carolyn Hof Carpenter presented a ceremonial check to Dr. Margaret Flowers, Managing Director of Research Programs at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. for the total grant of $500,000.

“This is an incredible way to recognize ZTA’s dedication over the past 30 years,” added Mrs. Carpenter. “I hope in another 30 years we have already found a new philanthropy because advancements in research and technology like this project will have eradicated the disease for good.”