Love Research Army

About the Love Research Army

The Love Research Army, formerly known as the Army of Women, is committed to encouraging and facilitating breast cancer research in all people, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual identity, with or without a breast cancer diagnosis. We combat the disparities that exist in research by challenging the scientific community to launch studies that are as inclusive and diverse as the people that breast cancer affects. We consistently and intentionally recruit members who are willing and excited to participate in breast cancer research. We are committed to thoughtfully engaging over 300,000 supporters by providing them with ongoing, real-time access to an array of studies.

History

After years as a breast surgeon, Dr. Susan Love heard scientists lament how difficult it was for them to find the volunteers they needed for breast cancer research studies. She long believed that helping scientists overcome this obstacle would accelerate our understanding of what causes breast cancer and how to end it.

In October 2008, with the support of the Avon Foundation for Women, the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research launched the Army of Women. After only one month, there were over 264,000 people—women and men with and without breast cancer—in the virtual Army receiving emails regarding research opportunities. Thanks to the Avon Foundation’s generous support for the first five years, the Army quickly developed into a vital resource for breast cancer researchers, and a model for fast-tracking breast cancer research. Since 2008, the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research has continued to grow the Army of Women, proudly engaging over 384,000 members, recruiting for 145+ studies, and helping 300+ researchers worldwide.

As the years went by, the Foundation recognized that the Army could help advance research in yet another way: fostering more inclusion in the types of people who take part in breast cancer research. Men, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and non-binary people are all diagnosed with breast cancer. In May 2020, in order to better reflect the longstanding commitment to fostering inclusive research, Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research rebranded the Army of Women as Love Research Army. It is the same Army, with the same goal; the only difference is the name. The hope is that all those who have participated in this novel approach to recruitment for research studies will join in celebrating their success as they move into the new decade with a name that reflects the desire and intent to include everyone in the research pool to study. This furthers the Foundation’s mission to end breast cancer once and for all.

Take Action!

The Love Research Army is now recruiting for open studies.

Learn more about our open studies and see if you or someone you know may be eligible here.

Watch Love Research Army webinars to hear results from past studies here.

Meet the members of our Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

Read Featured Profiles here.

Visit the 10th Anniversary Photo Gallery.