CT BHI Board President Joyce Bray to be Honored March 17

The President of the Board of the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, Inc. (CT BHI), Joyce Bray, is being honored on March 17 as an “extraordinary woman” for her decades of effective leadership, activism and passion at the helm of the CT BHI organization, an acknowledged leader in supporting efforts to advance breast cancer research and education in Connecticut.

Since its inception - led by Bray - in 2004, CT BHI has awarded $4.1 million and provided 102 grants to research and education initiatives across the state. Money raised in Connecticut stays in Connecticut to support that work, reflecting a commitment that has been at the core of CT BHI from the organization’s founding.

Soroptimist International is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Soroptimist International, and the Greater Hartford Chapter, aim to improve the lives of women and girls through programs promoting social and economic growth.

The Soroptimist organization’s core values include gender equality, empowerment, engagement, education, diversity and fellowship. These values align with what Bray has accomplished with CT BHI and how her advocacy for breast cancer awareness has brought support and inspiration to women throughout the community. Bray is being honored during the local organization’s “31 exceptional women in 31 days of March”. An accomplished woman in the region is being honored every day this month.

A New Britain resident, Bray is described by Nattaneal Wilson, Soroptimist International’s Greater Hartford Club President, as a “helper, supporter, mentor, volunteer, and dedicated advocate, to inspire and/or role model to others.” Bray has been an integral part of the fight against breast cancer through her advocacy and passion for finding a cure, before and since founding CT BHI.

CT BHI is particularly proud that 100% percent of money raised stays in Connecticut to support education and research. With the generous support of donors, volunteers, sponsors and partners CT BHI has consistently contributed in meaningful ways to support breast cancer research and medical innovators.

CT BHI’s annual RACE IN THE PARK, held in New Britain’s Walnut Hill Park for 17 years, has become a family tradition. This year, due to the pandemic, the race will be held virtually from Thursday, May 6th through Sunday, May 9th. Individuals can register and participate from wherever they are during the Mother’s Day weekend. Information about this year’s event is available at www.ctbhi.org/the-race. The annual event honors survivors, remembers loved ones, brings people together and raises money to move us closer to a cure.

In 2020, $80,000 in research grants were awarded to Saint Francis Hospital, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, and UConn Health. In recent years, researchers at MidState Medical Center, Yale University, Middlesex Hospital, Norwalk Hospital and Stamford Health have also been among the CT BHI grant recipients.

Bray, whose mother died of breast cancer in 1992, led the development of the first Hospital of Central Connecticut Diagnostic Breast Center years ago. Her mother’s diagnosis, in the 1960’s, came during what Bray describes as “the dark ages of breast cancer, only spoken of in whispers. It was a stigma, a woman’s private shame. There were no support groups and the only treatment was ‘slash, burn and poison.’”

While speaking of breast cancer was not possible for her mother, Bray has since honored her memory by “making noise and taking action.”

With changing societal attitudes, “Awareness was raised, education and important routine early detection behaviors were adopted. Getting a mammogram and self-examination were no longer a secret,” Bray recalls, reflecting on her journey as well. “One effort led to another, and ultimately to the establishment of the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, and everything we’ve been able to accomplish.”

Bray has also been involved in numerous community activities, previously serving on the Board of Trinity-on-Main Performing Arts Center and YWCA of New Britain, as President of the Junior League of Greater New Britain and as a Corporator of New Britain General Hospital. She also previously served on the National Board of Directors of the Komen Foundation. During her professional career, she was Director of Marketing at the Hospital of Central Connecticut, Director of the Women’s Health and Resource Center, and Coordinator of the Diagnostic Breast Center.

It is estimated that about 3,500 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Connecticut women this year. A woman living in the United States has a 12.3 percent, or 1 in 8, lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. The rate of female breast cancer in Connecticut’s population is the second highest in the U.S. Exclusive of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women.

Bray expressed her appreciation to the Soroptimist Society for their recognition, and reaffirmed her commitment to the work of CT BHI: “Every person who participates, every dollar donated, brings us closer to the next breakthrough and ultimately a cure. And there is groundbreaking research under way right here in Connecticut that we are proud to support, thanks to our dedicated donors, participants and volunteers.”