Focusing On Hope

Alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with treatment.

Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation, a Minnesota based 501(c)(3), has been a source of hope for local breast cancer patients and their families since 2001.

Every other minute in this country, a person hears the devastating words: “You have breast cancer.” By the time you finish reading this page, another family will be irrevocably affected. The time and costs associated with medical care are just the beginning – we’re here to help with everything else. No one should be left homeless or financially devastated by this terrible disease. We can’t fix everything, but together we can fix this.

We’re here…

because the need is real

  • Two-thirds of the total costs of breast cancer treatment are non-medical
  • Cancer patients are more than 2.5 times more likely to go bankrupt than people without cancer
  • Women undergoing treatment for breast cancer have to miss an average of 44.5 days of work

because life won’t wait

  • The rent or mortgage still needs to be paid
  • The utility bills are still due on time
  • Someone still needs to buy groceries

because insurance doesn’t cover everything

  • Like travel costs associated with seeking treatment
  • Like cost of childcare while you’re in treatment
older woman with headwrap *This image does not depict the testimonial attestant.

Thank you for the assistance with groceries and gas.

It meant so much to me during this difficult time. The kindness that others have shown me has helped me get through my treatment.

Cathy

Our Beginning

Hope Chest for Breast Cancer founder Barbara Hensley lost her two sisters to breast cancer. She witnessed firsthand the financial challenges that breast cancer patients and their families face.

After meeting more patients and hearing their stories, Barbara knew something had to be done to ease the burdens that insurance doesn’t cover. So, she turned heartbreak into action. In 2001, Barbara resigned from her corporate executive position and founded Hope Chest for Breast Cancer. The first Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Resale Shop opened in Orono, Minnesota in November, 2002.

Our Commitment

Today, Hope Chest has grown from Barbara Hensley’s dream into an impactful, multifaceted organization with passionate, skilled staff and a dedicated Board of Directors. We are as committed as ever to the cause, because we believe that no family should face financial ruin while they fight cancer.

Maureen Scallen Failor

Executive Director

Laura R

Laura Roehl

Director of Development & Partnerships

Robin Chambers

Robin Chambers

Office Manager & Patient Grants Administrator

Kira Johnson

Event & Cause Marketing Consultant

Sara Johnson

Digital & Cause Marketing Consultant

Natasha Freimark

Natasha Freimark

Board Chair

Laura Holasek

Laura Holasek

Board Vice Chair

Karen Larson

Karen Larson

Board Treasurer

Shannon McDonough

Shannon McDonough

Board Secretary

Barbara Hensley

Barbara Hensley

Founder Visionary

Michelle Jourdan

Michelle Jourdan

Board Member

Sara Soli

Sara Soli

Board Member

Carmen Wamre

Carmen Wamre

Board Member

Dr. Stuart Bloom

Dr. Stuart Bloom

Medical Advisor

Callie

Callie Briese

Past Chair

Andrea Larson Kerrison

Andrea Larson Kerrison

Board Member

Lindsey Hagan

Lindsey Hagen

Board Member

Shelly Stever

Shelly Stever

Board Member

Alesha Hodorff

Alesha Hodorff

Board Member

Join the Team
We are not currently hiring anyone at this time.

Looking for Volunteers

We also always welcome volunteers to help us secure new business connections for Cause Marketing, represent us in the community, or acquire items for our silent and live auctions. Contact event@hopechest.com if you are interested in volunteering.

Financials

Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation welcomes inquiries related to its investment strategies, partners, and performance. Financial information may also be obtained in our Annual Impact Report and IRS Form 990s, which are available below.

Please contact our Executive Director, with questions or to request more information at (952) 471-8701 or foundation@hopechest.com.

990 Tax Returns and Audited Financial Statements

Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation prepares an annual IRS Form 990. Our 990s and financial statements are available for download below.

2023 Annual Impact Report
2022 Audit
2022 990
2022 Annual Impact Report
2021 Audit
2021 990
2020 Audit
2020 990
2019 Audit
2019 990
2018 Audit
2018 990

  • Our Story

    Our Beginning

    Hope Chest for Breast Cancer founder Barbara Hensley lost her two sisters to breast cancer. She witnessed firsthand the financial challenges that breast cancer patients and their families face.

    After meeting more patients and hearing their stories, Barbara knew something had to be done to ease the burdens that insurance doesn’t cover. So, she turned heartbreak into action. In 2001, Barbara resigned from her corporate executive position and founded Hope Chest for Breast Cancer. The first Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Resale Shop opened in Orono, Minnesota in November, 2002.

    Our Commitment

    Today, Hope Chest has grown from Barbara Hensley’s dream into an impactful, multifaceted organization with passionate, skilled staff and a dedicated Board of Directors. We are as committed as ever to the cause, because we believe that no family should face financial ruin while they fight cancer.

  • Team

    Maureen Scallen Failor

    Executive Director

    Laura R

    Laura Roehl

    Director of Development & Partnerships

    Robin Chambers

    Robin Chambers

    Office Manager & Patient Grants Administrator

    Kira Johnson

    Event & Cause Marketing Consultant

    Sara Johnson

    Digital & Cause Marketing Consultant

  • Board
    Natasha Freimark

    Natasha Freimark

    Board Chair

    Laura Holasek

    Laura Holasek

    Board Vice Chair

    Karen Larson

    Karen Larson

    Board Treasurer

    Shannon McDonough

    Shannon McDonough

    Board Secretary

    Barbara Hensley

    Barbara Hensley

    Founder Visionary

    Michelle Jourdan

    Michelle Jourdan

    Board Member

    Sara Soli

    Sara Soli

    Board Member

    Carmen Wamre

    Carmen Wamre

    Board Member

    Dr. Stuart Bloom

    Dr. Stuart Bloom

    Medical Advisor

    Callie

    Callie Briese

    Past Chair

    Andrea Larson Kerrison

    Andrea Larson Kerrison

    Board Member

    Lindsey Hagan

    Lindsey Hagen

    Board Member

    Shelly Stever

    Shelly Stever

    Board Member

    Alesha Hodorff

    Alesha Hodorff

    Board Member

  • Careers

    Join the Team
    We are not currently hiring anyone at this time.

    Looking for Volunteers

    We also always welcome volunteers to help us secure new business connections for Cause Marketing, represent us in the community, or acquire items for our silent and live auctions. Contact event@hopechest.com if you are interested in volunteering.

  • Financials

    Financials

    Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation welcomes inquiries related to its investment strategies, partners, and performance. Financial information may also be obtained in our Annual Impact Report and IRS Form 990s, which are available below.

    Please contact our Executive Director, with questions or to request more information at (952) 471-8701 or foundation@hopechest.com.

    990 Tax Returns and Audited Financial Statements

    Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation prepares an annual IRS Form 990. Our 990s and financial statements are available for download below.

    2023 Annual Impact Report
    2022 Audit
    2022 990
    2022 Annual Impact Report
    2021 Audit
    2021 990
    2020 Audit
    2020 990
    2019 Audit
    2019 990
    2018 Audit
    2018 990

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How was Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation established?

    After losing her two sisters to breast cancer, our Founder Barbara Hensley became painfully aware of the challenges faced by individuals with breast cancer. Her sisters’ struggle, lasting over six years, was devastating to Barbara. In 2001, she resigned from her corporate executive position and founded the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Resale Store and Foundation, where the dedicated staff continues our commitment to make a difference.

  • What makes the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation different from other breast cancer charities?

    Most breast cancer charities provide funding for medical research or emotional support networks – all of which are incredibly important Because of their work early detection and cancer survivorship is on the rise. But Hope Chest is different – we make an immediate impact on the lives of Minnesota breast cancer patients by providing financial support in as little as 2-3 days time from the patients request for assistance.

  • How does Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation distribute its funds?

    Minnesota breast cancer patients actively undergoing treatment complete an online application helping us to understand their scale of need in financial support. In turn, Hope Chest issues payment directly to the patients creditors.

  • What services does Hope Chest for Breast Cancer provide?

    Hope Chest helps with urgent daily living needs such as rent or mortgage, utilities, child care, nutrition and transportation to treatment.

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