ZTA Foundation Awards $1.25 million for New and Continuing Research Projects

The ZTA Foundation Lunch at Convention 2024 spotlighted Zeta Tau Alpha’s commitment to breast cancer research when Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy Marlene Dunbar Conrad announced its $1.25 million donation to Breast Cancer Research Foundation. ZTA Foundation President Carolyn Hof Carpenter presented BCRF representatives with the check.

The funding will be used for research projects that target the detection and prevention of breast cancer. BCRF’s Assistant Director of Community Fundraising Christine Ward and Managing Director of Communications Sadia Zapp were present at the luncheon in Indianapolis to express their gratitude for Foundation funds donated to the organization. Sadia shared her own personal survivor story and the exciting progress of the project associated with the Foundation’s donation and how the funding continues to make a difference.

At Convention 2022, the Foundation awarded $500,000 to BCRF for a study utilizing artificial intelligence to aid in early detection for breast cancer. Mrs. Conrad said this year’s million-dollar-plus donation was designed to help continue that effort, as well as help fund another project studying a variety of mammogram data to better predict cancer development. Focusing on breast cancer screening, the project will ultimately yield new clinical protocols to optimize management of the disease in high-risk patients. The donation also will provide additional funds for further prevention-focused projects over the next two years.

Mrs. Conrad told luncheon attendees, “The ZTA Foundation is able to continue our work because you—our sisters—are passionate about the cause. Over the last two years, we have heard from so many of you about how grateful and proud you are that we’ve committed funding specifically to research. The Foundation Board heard you, and we have worked very intentionally to find ways to expand our research funding.”

Referencing ZTA’s Think Pink® program supporting breast cancer research, prevention and education, Mrs. Carpenter said, “We aren’t just pretty in pink. We are pretty powerful in pink.”