Meet Evelyn Calip of Evelyn’s Breast Friends Forever (BFF) in Harbor City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Calip.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a Registered Nurse who was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2007. I had three successful breast reconstruction surgeries and is cancer-free. I was inspired to create a group that would bring together women with breast cancer. In August 2009, Evelyn’s BFF (Breast Friends Forever) was born. Four to six times a year, the group gathers for lunch, dinner, or some type of day long event. Doing this in an informal setting reduces the loneliness, isolation, and feelings of judgment that the women often encounter. It also promotes open, relaxed, and honest conversations about their feelings. These events have created friendships that have lasted through surgery, recovery, and into survivorship. In March 2011, Evelyn’s BFF was officially registered as a non-profit organization in the state of California and in June 2012 became a 501 (c)(3). Our mission is to unite women with breast cancer through unifying events. Our vision is to help raise the self-confidence of women with breast cancer by providing funds to pay for breast reconstruction for uninsured and underinsured women. One of our primary objectives is to inform women about options available when they face breast reconstruction. We do this in a number of ways.

Our regular events bring together women who are newly diagnosed, with women who have already been through the process and can provide information and guidance. For example, a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and who is considering reconstructive surgery is introduced to different survivors who have had different types of reconstruction. This helps her to understand her options and provides an emotional support.

Beginning with just eight members, Evelyn’s BFF currently has more than 100 survivors and supporters who attend the events.

Has it been a smooth road?
Starting an informal support group has not been a smooth road. We raise breast cancer reconstruction awareness by hosting social events that enable women recently diagnosed to get together with women who have been through the breast reconstruction process. This is done in a relaxed social setting, which puts the women at ease. Because Evelyn’s BFF has a limited budget, we must charge attendees for their meals. This poses a challenge for many of the attendees because they are unemployed or on a strict budget. Many were unable to attend these events because of the cost. This inspired me to apply for nonprofit 501 (3c) organization in order to raise money by hosting fundraising events in order to sponsor women and pay for their meals. Through donations, we are able to sponsor at least 20 women and pay for their meals annually.

Providing charitable care to women seeking breast reconstruction surgery who are in financial need was also a challenge. I had some negative comments from people around me who told me that breast reconstruction costs a lot of money and that my vision would be impossible to accomplish. I am passionate about my passion of helping breast cancer women. Passion is a powerful force in accomplishing anything you set your mind to. Through fundraising events, donations, grants, partnering with Torrance Memorial Medical Center and South Bay Plastic Surgeons, Evelyn’s BFF has funded breast reconstruction to Eight underinsured/uninsured breast cancer women in South Bay community.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Evelyn’s Breast Friends Forever (BFF) – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Evelyn’s BFF gives breast cancer women a place to relax and share each other’s cancer journey in an informal setting. It’s a place where family and friends are welcome to attend. Four to Six times a year, the group gathers for lunch, dinner or some type of day long “fun” events such as: Comedy Magic Club, Private Bra Party, Pamper Me Pink/Bra Day, 5K Breast Cancer Reconstruction Run/Walk, and Christmas Holiday Party.

In November 2010, I was chosen as an audience member on “Oprah’s Favorite Things for Ultimate Heroes”. Meeting Oprah and being on her show gave me the opportunity to experience what she calls “truly the best gift”…the gift of giving back! This inspired me to do more for breast cancer women. One of the most important highlights of my breast cancer treatment is breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction gave me my self-esteem back and made me feel complete again after losing both breasts to breast cancer. I think it is important for every woman diagnosed with breast cancer who’s considering breast reconstruction to know her options early on and know that after the emotional and physical hurdles, you can get back on your feet “feeling whole” again. As a registered nonprofit and 501 (3c) we are able to accept get donations and hold fundraisers to benefit breast cancer women who are uninsured/underinsured and considering breast reconstruction.

Evelyn’s BFF has become a place for emotional and informational support for those breast cancer women who are contemplating, undergoing or completing breast reconstruction. It’s the place where breast cancer women meet for the first time and become “breast friends forever”. We are the first breast reconstruction public benefit corporation in our community.

In 2013, I reached my five years of “cancer free” milestone. I wanted to celebrate my “cancerversary” BIG! I wanted to bring breast cancer women, their families and friends together to celebrate LIFE and SURVIVORSHIP & at the same time, spread breast cancer and breast reconstruction awareness in the community. So I created and organized 5K BRA (Breast Reconstruction Awareness) Run/Walk. We encouraged men and women to run and walk in their BRA (Breast Reconstruction Awareness) in honor and in memory of those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. (FYI:Men can get breast cancer too!) We started with 200 participants in 2013, but last year in 2019 we had close to 700 registered participants.

Every year I add a year of my survivorship so for 2020, I have added a 12K to help celebrate my 12 years cancerversary. Proceeds of the BRA RunWalk goes to underinsured/uninsured breast cancer women who needs help funding their breast reconstruction. So far since 2013, we have sponsored about eight breast cancer women. This is what I’m most proud of is being able to help breast cancer women to feel complete and whole again post-mastectomy. What sets us apart from others is that Evelyn’s BFF is the first breast reconstruction charity in South Bay community and 100% of our fundraising events goes to our charity recipients since our board of directors are volunteers and NOT paid for their service.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like best about our city is the people. The more I live in this community, the more I realize that it’s such a caring community. Whether they’re newly joined or people who have been with us since the beginning, I’m very thankful to those who have been supporting Evelyn’s BFF especially my husband Robert, my children: Eron, Rianne and Evan; my younger sister, Eva, who is also a breast cancer survivor and her husband Virgil Cabanas for helping me with Evelyn’s BFF events every year. I’m so grateful to have a very supportive family since day one!

The generosity and commitment of our friends, family and community are what makes us succeed with our mission and vision to make a difference in breast cancer’s survivor’s life.

I hope to have this continued support from the individuals, companies, and businesses of our city. One way to do that is becoming one of our sponsors to our annual 5K BRA RunWalk on August 30, 2020. In return, your donation is tax-deductible and we’ll advertise your company logo on our participants’ t-shirts and social media. If interested, please email us.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.evsbff.org
• Phone: (310) 530-6402
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: evelyns_bff
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evsbff/
• Twitter: @EvelynsBFF

Image Credit:
Robert Calip, Luna Peak Company

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Check out the VoyageLA Podcast: