In 1987, a small group of family and friends established the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation to honor Linda Creed, a Philadelphia songwriter. Her talent as a lyricist put her at the top of "The Philly Sound" in the 1970's and her songs, including "The Greatest Love of All," reached the top of the charts. But the diagnosis of breast cancer at age 26 proved to be too much for this young wife and mother, who lost her battle with the disease in 1986 at the age of 37. Linda's close friend, Lisa Brownstein, began the foundation and served as its first president.

The Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation was the first free-standing breast cancer organization in Pennsylvania. Dedicated to the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, with the goal of reducing unnecessary suffering and death associated with this disease, the new organization immediately identified a strong, unmet community need: free mammography screenings for women who were uninsured or underinsured. The first screenings were presented in cooperation with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and two associated hospitals. To date, more than 15 hospitals have participated in the program, which has screened over 8,000 women. As the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation grew, it engaged professional staff, and programs were created to educate women about breast health, and to provide free mammography screening to uninsured women.

To meet the needs of women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families, we provide support and education services. Identifying concerns of women with regard to breast cancer and addressing them - whether they relate to education, support or advocacy - has been the hallmark and the driving force of Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation.