Our Case For Support
Our Case For Support
Karen’s Story
As a 41 year old single mother of five children living with Metastatic Breast Cancer, Karen had no way to provide for her children. Months away from dying and in constant need of medical treatments, the family of six lived in a 650 square foot one bedroom walk up. The children took the bedroom while Karen slept on an air mattress. Some weeks, Karen was unable to buy groceries because her food stamps were being delivered to the wrong address in her apartment complex. Her children relied on free breakfast and lunch at the inner city school they attended in New Haven, CT.
With no extended support system, no job and increased time spent in the hospital for disease progression, Karen’s family was in dire need! Infinite Strength was able to provide groceries, pay their rent and utilities and even purchase Christmas gifts for the children. Although Karen only lived a few months more, during that time, she was able to concentrate on her children and prepare them as best she could for the inevitable life-changing loss that was ahead.
Our Mission
Infinite Strength is a charitable organization driven by our mission to provide financial and emotional support to underserved single mothers with Metastatic Breast Cancer (Stage IV) in order for them to have a better quality of life. We provide hope to mother and child that they are not on this journey alone.
What is Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)?
Metastatic Breast Cancer (also called stage IV) is breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body, most commonly the liver, brain, bones, or lungs. Once diagnosed with this disease, the average life span is 2-3 years.
30% of women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer will become metastatic in their lifetime. Black women are 40% more likely to get an MBC diagnosis. 31% of young women under the age of 50 will be diagnosed with MBC.
There is no cure for this disease; it is the only breast cancer that kills.
Infinite Potential
Infinite Strength provides monthly financial support for six months to underserved/underrepresented single mothers living with Metastatic Breast Cancer. Once an applicant is approved, we provide this assistance monthly for a period of six months for each grantee.
LIFE SUPPORT | MBC Panel Discussions
We know that the challenges women face while living with MBC are endless, so we assemble a team of experts quarterly for in-person (virtual option) panel discussions to tackle the topics that are not talked about enough. From raising kids while living with this disease to sexual health, to clinical trials and the different subtypes of MBC, we have you covered.
Refer to our Events page for dates.
The HOPE Retreat
We provide emotional support via our HOPE Retreats which take place one Sunday a month. It’s a chance for women with this disease, and their children, to find community by joining with other families living with the same life changing diagnosis.
The women are given the opportunity to spend time with a licensed family therapist specializing in oncology to get the mental/emotional support they need but cannot afford, while the children spend time engaged in art therapy.
Ultimately friendships are forged, a community is built and these families know they do not have to face this frightening diagnosis alone. With your help we can provide these life supporting services to more families. We can provide them with critical life support!
Refer to our Retreats page for more information.
Single Mothers and Poverty
These families are considered food insecure, which means that a third of single moms are not sure where the next meal for them and their children is coming from. There is a good chance that their children go to bed with their empty stomachs grumbling. And just about one-ninth (11.7%) used food pantries. Datacenter Kidscount
Single mothers have to work MORE hours but still have HIGHER poverty rates. This is because 40% of single mothers work low-wage jobs. Also, in most cases, single moms don’t have access to paid leave. Single moms also have to spend AT LEAST one-third of their salary (if working) on housing.
This problem is probably the most significant financial burden for single moms. However, women with MBC are continually in need of medical treatments to manage pain and progression for as long as possible, so even if they are employed, many are unable to work. This means that because single moms live in poverty, they are MORE vulnerable to becoming homeless.
80% of single-parent families in the United States are headed by single moms and nearly a third live in poverty.
US Census Bureau
77.3% of African American moms are single moms. 70.5% of all African American working mothers are single moms, making them the primary, if not sole, economic providers for their families.
Economic Policy Institute
“In the United States, if you are a 20 year old black woman, you have twice the chance of dying from breast cancer before you’re 50 compared to a 20 year old white woman. And I would argue that’s just unacceptable.”
— Dr. Eric Winer, ASCO President
Speaking at The Infinite Strength Annual Gala 2023
Lack of Health Insurance
According to Pew Research Center…
Black Women experience emotional suppression and behavioral disengagement — “experienced increased levels of distress and poorer survival."
Black Women lack the space to talk about how their concerns went unheard by a medical profession that skews white and male.
Black Women fear sharing their diagnosis within their families and communities because they are often the family breadwinner.
Low income single moms have less than adequate health insurance, while 13.4% don’t have any health insurance.
Why Infinite Strength?
We are the only nonprofit in the country dedicated to underserved single mothers with Metastatic Breast Cancer, and the only one to offer monthly recurring financial support to these families. Our help is needed now more than ever, as the need is greater than ever! Our founder and President does not take a salary, nor do any of our board members. All staff are volunteer!
Give Families Life Support
Our goal is to provide this critical life support nationally to underserved single mothers living with MBC and their children. Here is how you can help:
Philanthropic Donation:
Multi-Year Pledge
One-Time Cash Gift Stocks
A Bequest in Your Will
Sponsorship Opportunities Available Including:
Naming Partnerships Across Marketing Collateral
Vendor Table Display At Our Events
Acknowledgment In Event Opening Remarks
Logo Placement On Event Signage
Logo Placement On Our Website Partner Page
Social Media Post Features
For more information, please contact roberta@infinitestrength.org or (203) 812-0549.