Elizabeth "Betsy" Mullen is the Founder and President of Women's Information Network Against Breast Cancer^TM (WIN ABC), a national non-profit organization.  Ms. Mullen resides in San Diego, California with her husband, Ken.  Prior to founding WIN Against Breast Cancer, Ms. Mullen was a Market Research Analyst with a background in political science, public administration and public relations.  WIN ABC was created to empower breast cancer patients to become informed partners with their health care team as they travel through diagnosis, treatment and recovery with confidence and grace.  A second key objective of the WIN organization is to work with health care providers and policy makers to ensure responsible health care delivery systems and pathways of care for breast cancer screening and treatment services.

     Betsy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 at the age of thirty-three.  What she learned and experienced from her personal journey in combating this disease transformed her from a confused, frightened patient into an informed patient advocate.  Betsy is committed to using her knowledge and expertise to assist others battling breast cancer so that they will be able to undergo the same positive transformation. Since its founding in May of 1994, the WIN Against Breast Cancer organization has served the needs of a growing number of breast cancer survivors, their family members, health care providers, researchers, public health officials and policy-makers.  Ms. Mullen sits on a variety of breast cancer advisory councils at the local, state and national levels. 

     Ms. Mullen and WIN ABC are committed to ensuring equal access to appropriate breast cancer education, screening and treatment services for individuals from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.  Betsy served as a consultant to Blue Cross of California in establishing a $12.4 million breast cancer treatment fund for patients throughout the state at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.  She is a founding member of the California Breast Cancer Treatment Fund Advisory Council where she serves as treasurer for this groundbreaking and vital fund.  Betsy is actively involved in efforts now underway to make this fund a permanent state funded program.

     WIN ABC' s signature program, the Breast Buddy Breast Care Program has recently been identified as a new best practice by the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP).  Representing over 130 million health plan members throughout the country, this recognition has established Breast Buddies as "...an exemplary practice, an outstanding women's health program that really is making a difference in improving women's health." WIN is now bringing this award-winning program into the lives of medically indigent and underserved patients in a Los Angeles County based pilot program at four county run hospitals.  The intention is to facilitate the program's replication throughout the country to reach underserved populations historically disconnected from the comprehensive health care services and psychosocial support that they so desperately need.

     Ms. Mullen is also committed to increase funding for breast cancer research.  Her dedication and hard work in partnership with others, resulted in the passage of the Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act in July 1997 and issuance of the historic Breast Cancer Research Semipostal Stamp in July 1998.   Ms. Mullen was a featured speaker at a special White House ceremony for the stamp's first day of issuance on July 29, 1998 hosted by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. 

     Ms. Mullen is a recipient of the United States Senate Certificate of Commendation for "Exceptional Record of Service on behalf of individuals with breast cancer and her tireless dedication on behalf of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp"; California State Senate Certificate of Recognition; California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition; Los Angeles County Award of Merit; Los Angeles County Resolution - "Outstanding Advocate for Women's Health for Establishment of New National Standard of Care for Breast Cancer Patients"; San Gabriel Valley YWCA's 1998 Women of Achievement Award -- Women's Health Advocate Award Recipient; and the 1998 Freeman, Freeman and Smiley Vision in Philanthropy California Community Foundation Award.  A Proclamation was issued in her honor naming August 10, 1998, Breast Cancer Research Stamp Day from the Mayor of San Diego.  Ms. Mullen is the recipient of the Soroptimist International of San Diego's 1999 Women of Accomplishment Award, the Soroptimist International Desert Coast Region's 1999 Women Helping Women Award and the California Association of Nonprofits 1999 Public Policy Excellence Award for Communications Excellence. The most recent recognition was bestowed upon Ms. Mullen in September 1999, at the Women Making History event presented and hosted by Senator Barbara Boxer.

     Lifetime Television's series New Attitudes recently highlighted Ms. Mullen and WIN ABCís Breast Buddy Program for Underserved and Indigent Patients.  Betsy has also appeared on the NBC Nightly News to discuss the importance of breast cancer research and was the subject of a four-part series produced by the KTLA Morning News highlighting WIN ABC and the Breast Buddy Program.  Betsy participated in a press conference hosted by the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) and the Commonwealth Fund, held at the National Press Club.  The event received widespread national media and aired live, in its entirety on C-SPAN in August 1998.  The press conference highlighted the AAHPís new Women's Health Initiative, in which WIN ABC's Breast Buddy Breast Care Program was recognized as a new standard of care for the managed care industry.

Ms. Mullen can be reached by contacting WIN Against Breast Cancer at (626) 332-2255, e-mail: betsy@winabc.org.