This autumn HostMySite turns our Customer Spotlight onto Beth Krallis, Communications Director for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC). We would like to recognize that within this autumn season, October is National Breast Cancer Month

Beth, please tell us about the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and what you do!
The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. (DBCC) began in 1991 as a small group of community volunteers, who were committed to decreasing the mortality rate of breast cancer in Delaware. In 1997, DBCC became an official non-profit organization serving to raise awareness of breast health issues in Delaware through outreach, education and support to help facilitate early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

DBCC has developed and implemented programs tailored to the unique needs of different populations, including young women with breast cancer, African-American women, Latinas, lesbians, and women with disabilities. DBCC has trained health care providers on providing culturally competent care, and conducts many educational sessions for the general public through corporate and community organizations. The DBCC also proudly serve its neighbors in the surrounding communities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.

As Communications Director I manage the promotional activities of the DBCC’s programs and services, fundraising initiatives, volunteer recruitment, and breast cancer advocacy. I’m also very busy overseeing the design and production of marketing materials including newsletters, press releases and media communications, audio-visual presentations, and of course our online presence through our  debreastcancer.org  website and our social networks.

How did you come to work for DBCC? What are you biggest challenges; what are the rewards?
I started working for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition three years ago. I was looking for a new career challenge and saw an opportunity arise within the Coalition focused on marketing and communication. The more I learned about the Coalition and all they do for our neighbors in Delaware, the more impressed I became with the organization. Of course breast cancer was also personal to me – the disease runs in my family (my aunt, my second cousin and my great aunt are all survivors) plus so many of my family friends have been affected.

The biggest challenge of working for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition is the sad reality of breast cancer. The survival rates are extremely high, around 90% and even higher when found early, but it is heartbreaking that we lose so many to metastatic breast cancer. I’ve seen it a handful of times since working here and it never gets any easier. I just think about what their families are going through and how we need to end this disease so it stops killing us! Nationally, over 40,000 women will die of breast cancer in 2016.

On the plus side, there are some real rewards to working for the Coalition. I have met some fabulous people in our state, so many survivors who are truly thriving after going through the disease. They want to give back and help others and share their story to raise awareness for the disease. I am also lucky to work with a fabulous staff. They are all women, many are survivors themselves, and they are some of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. Also, it’s great to wake up each day and help people. I love that my work helps to improve the lives of others!

What activities are underway at DBCC for National Breast Cancer Month?
DBCC is very fortunate to have a number of community partners who help raise awareness and funds for our programs and services on our behalf. We have a considerable number of promotions and events in the month of October within our communities that support DBCC. More information can be found on our website www.debreastcancer.org/events.

How can people donate to DBCC?
Anyone can donate securely online through the Donate Now button on the DBCC website or visit our donation page. If people prefer to make a pledge on an alternate schedule or via phone, they may call the DBCC’s Development Office at 302-778-1102 x1011.

Please us more about yourself Beth.
I was born and raised in Oceanside, New York and moved to Delaware in 2005 to attend the University of Delaware. I majored in International Relations with minors in History and Economics and graduated in 2008. Today, I live in Wilmington with my husband, Chris.

I began my career in politics and government, interning and working on various campaigns including Joe Biden’s Campaign for President in 2006 and Jack Markell’s Campaign for Governor in 2008. Campaigning was hard but a great introduction to my new home state. I worked for nearly five years in Governor Markell’s administration, learning how state government operates and helping people on behalf of the Governor.

In my spare time, I volunteer as a board member for the Wilmington Women in Business. When I’m not working, you can find me grilling or entertaining with my husband, at the beach, at the YMCA, or visiting my family… unless I’m binge watching tv, reading, writing, or cooking.

How did DBCC come to host their website through HostMySite?
DBCC had a local connection to a vendor who hosted multiple websites on HostMySite so we hosted our website through him for as long as I can recall. More recently, we moved our site from this third party vendor directly to HostMySite. Since the experience and transition went well, in 2015 we moved the website for our resale shops (Great Stuff Home and Great Stuff Savvy Resale) from a regional Internet Service Provider to our HostMySite account. The cost savings alone in the Great Stuff move were huge – going from over $30 a month to less than half of that for the whole year! It was a no brainer.

Any advice to pass on to fellow customers about web hosting or managing a website?
I am learning so much every day about google search guidelines, safety protocols, mobile compatibility, and more. For any fellow customers who are responsible for managing a website, my best advice would be to ask questions, attend training, listen to webinars, and surround yourself with experts. This world seems to change so quickly and it’s so technical that if you don’t pay attention, you may find yourself left behind!

Any closing words you would like to share on behalf of DBCC regarding breast cancer prevention?
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month we hope you will take action in the fight against breast cancer. This means in addition to wearing pink and supporting various breast cancer causes, take action by: learning about your risk factors for breast cancer, deciphering breast cancer myths vs. facts, scheduling your mammogram or helping a loved one to schedule their mammogram, and advocating for victory in the fight against breast cancer. The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition will be here for you in October and beyond, to replace fear and doubt with knowledge and hope for every woman and man diagnosed with the disease in our community.

HostMySite is honored to be able to host the Delaware-based Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition website and recognizes their incredible hard work and dedication in breast cancer support, risk reduction, and education.  We encourage you to learn more about the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition by visiting their website or checking them out on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.