Team Michelle is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to ending breast cancer — providing emotional and financial support to survivors and raising funds for cutting-edge research.
$560k+
INVESTED
6
PROJECTS FUNDED
2
CANCER CENTERS
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
Why Team Michelle Funds Research
Breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States. Despite decades of progress, metastatic breast cancer remains incurable — and triple-negative breast cancer continues to disproportionately affect younger women with far fewer treatment options. Team Michelle was founded by a survivor, and we know that the path to ending this disease runs through the laboratory.
Since 2018, Team Michelle has invested over $560,000 in breast cancer research across six funded projects at two leading cancer centers: the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UC Irvine and the University of Kansas Cancer Center. We fund real scientists doing real work — and we stay in close contact with our researchers so our donors can see exactly where their money goes.
Our research grants are made possible entirely through community fundraising — primarily our annual Taste for the Cure gala and our 10 Mile Walk. When you attend an event, donate, or sponsor Team Michelle, you are directly funding the next potential breakthrough in breast cancer treatment.
INVESTED SINCE 2018
$560k+
Our research partners
The Scientists Behind the Breakthroughs
Team Michelle funds two world-class research teams working on the most challenging frontiers of breast cancer science. Here is what your donation is funding right now.
Dr. Devon Lawson
UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center · Irvine, CA
Dr. Lawson and her team use single-cell technology to understand how breast cancer cells interact with their environments inside the body. Team Michelle has funded her lab since 2018 with a total investment of $170,000+ — making us one of her longest-standing community research partners.
Research Focus
Metastatic dormancy in breast cancer cells — understanding how cancer cells hide in the body undetected and how to prevent relapse with metastatic disease.
Dr. Shane Steklein
University of Kansas Cancer Center · Kansas City, KS
Dr. Steklein is a physician-scientist specializing in immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer — one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of the disease. Team Michelle awarded him $40,000 in 2022 to fund groundbreaking tumor tissue gene expression analysis.
Research Focus
Immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer — identifying which patients will benefit from treatment and understanding why some TNBCs resist this promising therapy.
Metastatic Dormancy
Understanding how cancer cells survive undetected in the body for years — and how NK (natural killer) cells can be reactivated to destroy them.
Immunotherapy
Harnessing the body's own immune system to fight triple-negative breast cancer — one of the hardest forms of the disease to treat.
Single-Cell Technology
Mapping how individual breast cancer cells behave and interact — enabling more targeted, personalized treatment approaches for each patient.
$560,000+ Invested
Six research projects funded since 2018 — every dollar raised through Team Michelle events goes directly toward discoveries that could save lives.
Our Research Partners
Partnering with Two of the Nation's Leading Cancer Centers
Team Michelle works directly with the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in Irvine, California and the University of Kansas Cancer Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Both are NCI-designated cancer centers, meaning they meet the highest standards for cancer research excellence set by the National Cancer Institute.
Our direct relationships with these institutions — and with the researchers themselves — means your donation goes straight to the science, with full transparency on how every dollar is used.
UCI Chao Cancer Center
Partner since 2018 • $170,000+ invested
KU Cancer Center
Partner since 2022 • $40,000 invested
Why It Matters
The Science We're Working to Advance
The two research areas Team Michelle funds represent some of the most important — and most underfunded — frontiers in breast cancer science today.
Metastatic Breast Cancer
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Affects over 168,000 women in the US today
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Currently incurable— treatment focuses on extending life
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Most breast cancer deaths are caused by metastatic disease
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Metastatic dormancy research could unlock new prevention strategies
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Dr. Lawson's work focuses on understanding why cancer cells hide and reactivate
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Team Michelle has invested $170,000+ in this research since 2018
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
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Represents 10-15% of all breast cancers — but a disproportionate share of deaths
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Harder to treat because it lacks the receptors targeted by most therapies
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Disproportionately affects younger women and women of color
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Immunotherapy is one of the most promising emerging treatments
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Dr. Steklein's research is identifying which patients will benefit most
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Team Michelle awarded $40,000 to this research in 2022
OUR MISSION
Why Research is at the Heart
of What We Do
When Team Michelle founder Michelle Buessing was diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma in 2009, she made a commitment not just to survive — but to help end breast cancer for everyone who comes after her. That commitment led directly to our breast cancer research funding program, which has invested over $560,000 into cutting-edge science since 2018.
Team Michelle funds two of the most important and underfunded areas in breast cancer research today. At UCI, Dr. Devon Lawson's lab is working to understand metastatic dormancy — the phenomenon where cancer cells hide undetected in the body for years before reactivating into life-threatening tumors. At the University of Kansas, Dr. Shane Steklein is using gene expression analysis to identify which triple-negative breast cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy — a breakthrough that could save thousands of lives annually.
What makes Team Michelle's research program distinctive is its direct, community-funded model. Every dollar we invest in research comes from our local Orange County community — from walk participants, gala attendees, individual donors, and corporate sponsors. There are no government grants, no foundation intermediaries, and no overhead siphoned away from the science. When you donate to Team Michelle, the money goes directly to the researcher's lab.
We also maintain ongoing relationships with our research partners. Both Dr. Lawson and Dr. Steklein send us regular updates on their progress, and we share those updates with our donors. You will never wonder where your money went — because we'll show you exactly what it made possible.
In addition to research funding, Team Michelle offers free breast cancer care packages for survivors across the US and Acts of Love financial grants of up to $1,000 for survivors facing hardship during treatment. Together, these three programs form our complete mission: support the survivor today, fund the cure for tomorrow.
Donate to Fund Research
Every dollar you donate goes directly to Dr. Lawson's lab at UCI or Dr. Steklein's lab at KU — no overhead, no middlemen, just science.
REQUEST A Free Package
Fill out our simple online form to request a care package for yourself or a survivor you know. Shipped free anywhere in the US.
Attend The Annual Gala
Our Taste for the Cure gala is the primary fundraiser for our research program. Join us September 11, 2026 at Rancho Las Lomas, Silverado, CA.
Get Tickets →
Attend the Annual Gala
Our Taste for the Cure gala is the primary fundraiser for our research program. Join us September 11, 2026 at Rancho Las Lomas, Silverado, CA.
Get Tickets →
Make a Donation
Your donation funds care packages, Acts of Love grants, and breast cancer research. Every dollar goes directly to our programs.
All Programs
More Ways We Support Survivors
Financial grants of up to $1,000 to help breast cancer survivors and their families cover medical bills, housing, prescriptions, and more during treatment.
Acts Of Love →
Financial Program
Care Packages →
Support Program
Team Michelle sends free care packages to breast cancer survivors anywhere in the United States — filled with comfort, love, and a handwritten note of encouragement.
Financial Program
Financial grants of up to $1,000 to help breast cancer survivors and their families cover medical bills, housing, prescriptions, and more during treatment.
Support Program
Team Michelle sends free care packages to breast cancer survivors anywhere in the United States — filled with comfort, love, and a handwritten note of encouragement.
Signature Event
Our annual gala — food, wine, music, and hope. The 2025 event raised a record $162,000. Join us September 11, 2026 at Rancho Las Lomas, Silverado, CA.