Laini Fluellen Charities, Inc. was founded in 2009 by a group of breast cancer survivors and the loved ones who supported them through their diagnosis and treatment. Based in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, we began our advocacy and awareness-raising work for the young women in our communities who are susceptible to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), especially Black and Hispanic women who are at a higher risk. 

TNBC is a particularly fast-spreading and difficult to treat variety of breast cancer that affects people under age 50, many under age 40 before most women get their first mammogram. It’s our mission to improve outcomes for women and men diagnosed with TNBC by fundraising and advocating for more studies in local hospitals, subsidizing mammograms for early detection, educating those at risk in our communities and generally raising awareness about this disease. In memory of our namesake and others who have struggled with TNBC, it’s equally important that we share stories of survivors and recognize medical practitioners and advocates who are leading the fight against TNBC in the work they do every day.

In our first ten years, we have raised about $150,000 and five new studies on TNBC were made possible because of our efforts. We expect to grow our organization throughout the midwest and expand our influence to continue advocating for making TNBC research accessible to more patients and early detection on a national level. We understand first-hand how overwhelming a breast cancer diagnosis can be to both the patient and her (or his) loved ones, and we are dedicated to supporting those affected by TNBC before, during, and after their experience with the disease.

Learn more about what we’re doing to improve outcomes for young women at risk for TNBC or donate now.