About IBT

Who is "It's a Breast Thing"

It's a Breast Thing Non Profit (IBT) is a 501c3 charity. We award grants in support of our local breast cancer patients, who are in treatment to be used for their out of pocket expenses. We host an annual event that is held in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

History and Achievements of “It’s a Breast Thing”

2007

The creation of It's a Breast Thing.

2008

First event profits went to Carefree Medical Clinic to support mammograms for women who couldn’t afford them.

2009

Second event, teamed with Ingham Medical and profits went to Carefree Medical Clinic.

2010

Third event, It’s a Breast Thing incorporated and became a 501(c)3. Profits retained to start building an individual grant program. Grant information was shared with Cancer Centers in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, and Shiawassee counties.

2011

Fourth Event, continue to retain profits to build grant funds and spreading the word of the upcoming grant program. Grant criteria was developed.

2012

Fifth Event, started awarding grants of $500 to breast cancer patients.

2013/2014

Sixth/Seventh event, continue to award $500 grants.

2015

Eighth event, continue to award grants, Board of Directors with 11 members was created in July.

2018/2019

Eleventh/Twelfth events held, grants continued to be awarded.

2020

”It’s a Breast Thing Year of Giving” No event but a goal to give 100, $1000 grants and opening the grant availability to anyone who lived or received treatment in Mid-Michigan. IBT was actually able to award 110 grants in 2020! A new giving program called #SmallActs was created.

#SmallActs campaign serves to brighten a breast cancer patient's day. Small tokens of kindness and gift cards are delivered to cancer centers in Mid- MIchigan several times a year.

Donations of gift cards can be dropped off at Sola Salons/Ultimate Image at the Towne Center or make a financial contribution on our website on the donation page.

2021

Thirteenth event, $1000 grants awarded to 100 more breast cancer patients.

2022

Fourteenth event on Tuesday, October 4th at Eagle Eye Golf Club. IBT Fundraising Garage Sale held in August. Website updated. Due to funding issues we had to reduce the grant amount back to $500 from $1000 to meet the many requests for grants. To date It’s a Breast Thing has awarded 577 grants.

2023

Fifteenth Event was held on Tuesday, October 3rd at Eagle Eye Golf Club. The theme for this year's event was Great Lakes/Great Times. IBT’s OUTREACH committee participated in the Kitten Mitten Mash-Up and Women in the Arts Festival to continue to gain exposure in the community about giving out grants to breast cancer patients in treatment.

2024

Sixteenth Event held on Tuesday, October 1 at Eagle Eye Golf Course. IBT celebrated survivors by decorating bra's with the theme of Superheroes and Villains. The OUTREACH committee held it's last Garage Sale in August, participated in the Charlotte Alliance Health Fair and presented at the Habibi Dancers October Celebration.

Board Members

Co Presidents

Susan McPhail
Judy Tegreeny

Executive Director

Suzi Wyman
Barb McKessy

Secretary

Tammy Guastella

Chair of OUTREACH Committee

Irene Pena

Medical Advisor

Carol Rapson
Heather Spotts

Chair of Marketing Committee

Susan McPhail

Marketing

Heather Tynes

IBT Non-Profit

It’s a Breast Thing is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of local breast cancer patients on their journey to better health. We do this by awarding grants to patients who reside and are receiving treatment in the Mid-Michigan area.