ABOUT
OUR MISSION
Dynami (Δύναμη) is the Greek word for strength. We believe that together, we are stronger. We connect breast cancer researchers, patients, and supporters together through funding for cutting-edge research, survivorship programs, and ongoing education. Our mission is to further the research, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer while strengthening and supporting patients as they navigate the complexities of their breast cancer journey. We foster collaboration for both medical research teams and breast cancer patients to share experiences, build on each other’s advances, and ultimately improve outcomes.
We strengthen those on their breast cancer journey by providing:
Valid, up-to-date information about breast cancer subtypes
Research on the common but under-studied and poorly understood Lobular Breast Cancer Subtype
Stories and support from others on their journey
Connections to medical, prevention, health, wellness, and support through resources and symposia
FLORA’S STORY
Flora Migyanka is a mother of two and breast cancer survivor and advocate. In April 2012, Flora was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) and underwent treatment at the University of Michigan's Breast Oncology Center, one of the nation’s leading centers for breast cancer care. Over the last decade she’s undergone a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction, a decade of Tamoxifen, hot flashes and more–all while raising two young children and founding The Dynami Foundation and Uncork for a Cure fueled by her personal mission to spread awareness about the impacts of breast cancer and increase funds for a cure.
Aside from serving as President for the organizations that she’s founded, Flora is an account manager at a global biotech company, volunteers as a yoga instructor at a local cancer support center, serves on the patient advisory board at University of Michigan, and is a member of the national Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance. Flora is the recipient of the 2021 Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute Heros for Cancer Community Service Award. Her story is featured in the book, I Survived Cancer and Here is How I Did It.
Most recently, Flora and Dynami were selected by the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business to develop strategic planning for increased funding in support of ILC. She also launched the Leigh Pate Memorial Lectureship series amongst global thought leaders in the space at the 2023 International Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer Symposium and partnered with local artists and Niemen Marcus to build awareness in Detroit through the Paragon Art Collective exhibition.
Flora is a champagne enthusiast with a deep passion for her Greek roots (afterall, Dynami is the Greek word for strength). Flora lives in Plymouth, Michigan with her family.
OUR NUMBERS
3 million
our funds raised to-date
1,500+
number of total Uncork For a Cure attendees
2016
the year we held our first event
FUNDED RESEARCH
Your direct impact has created a survivorship program, supported a breast surgical oncology training program, funded multiple ongoing research projects to research Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer (ILC), a disease subtype that is under-researched and in critical need of new treatment options, and started a memorial fund. These initiatives were funded under direction of our Medical Advisory Board supporting collaboration across the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center in partnership with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), University of Colorado Cancer Center and Karmanos Cancer Institute.
University of Michigan Impact Report on the Dynami Foundation Partnership
University of Michigan Impact Report on the Dynami Foundation Partnership
MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD
Jacqueline Jeruss, M.D., Ph.D.
For her full professional profile, see University of Michigan Health and University of Michigan Biomedical Engineering.
Daniel Fleming Hayes M.D.
For his full professional profile, see University of Michigan Health.
Sofia D. Merajver, M.D., Ph.D.
For her full professional profile, see University of Michigan School of Public Health and University of Michigan Medicine.
Steffi Oesterreich, Ph.D.
For her full professional profile, see University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Lonnie Shea, Ph.D.
For his full professional profile, see University of Michigan Biomedical Engineering and LinkedIn.
Celina Kleer, M.D.
For her full professional profile, see University of Michigan Medicine.
Peter C. Lucas, M.D., Ph.D.
For his full professional profile, see University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
N. Lynn Henry, M.D., Ph.D.
For her full professional profile, see Rogel Cancer Center at the University of Michigan.
DYNAMI FOUNDATION TEAM
TRANSPARENCY
We believe in fiscal accountability and transparency. As faithful stewards of our donors’ investments, we provide full disclosure of our finances.
We are an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) organization. We file Form 990 with the IRS on an annual basis no later than November 15, the extended deadline for this particular form. These return forms are available on the IRS’s website as public information for any interested party to access. It sometimes takes longer for the IRS to post filed returns to their website. In such instances, we do offer to provide a PDF of the form upon request from a serious potential donor.
Audited financial statements are not required for our organization. We have elected to not audit our financial statements at this time, choosing, instead, to use those funds for the accomplishment of our charitable purpose. The Form 990 provides income, expense, account balance information, and other disclosures that should satisfy any inquiries.
Should any inquirer decide that this response does not satisfy their desire to contribute to our cause, we understand, and we respect your right to discontinue your inquiries directed at our foundation.
Our commitment to transparency earned us a 2020 Bronze Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. This accreditation allows our community members to find out more about our mission and programs.