About Us

Beats for Boobs™ is an all-volunteer organization that grants financial support to local breast cancer non-profits that provide direct services to people battling breast cancer and survivors, promote prevention or offer breast health education. Beats for Boobs™ strives to encourage volunteerism and philanthropy towards the breast cancer community. For the past 8 years, Beats for Boobs™ has united a diverse group of artists and activists to honor and remember people impacted by breast cancer.  We maintain low event overhead and keep attendance fees low to maximize community involvement. 

Founder Juliana Cochnar sparked an interest in breast cancer awareness in the early 1990’s when she began volunteering for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Years later, while traveling abroad, she learned that her mother, Barbara, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although Juliana wanted to end her trip and return to the U.S. to support her mother through surgery and treatment, Barbara insisted that she continue traveling. Subsequently, Barbara underwent successful rounds of radiation and is now a 9-year cancer survivor!

Upon Juliana’s return to San Francisco in 2003, she met Radhika Ragsdale at an Easter brunch, where they immediately bonded and conversed about Juliana’s worldly travels, including her visit to India, where Radhika had spent her adolescent years. Juliana shared the story of her mother’s recent survival while Radhika shared her sorrows about losing her aunt, Shrena Nair, to the fight. Intuitively, Juliana envisioned celebrating her mother’s survival and honoring Radhika’s aunt simultaneously with an event that would gather the community of San Francisco to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.

Soon after that fortuitous meeting, Radhika & Juliana joined forces and amassed an army of volunteers to create the fundraising gala, Beats for Boobs™. The event proved unique in catering to a youthful and artistic community of varied backgrounds by incorporating four distinctive elements – art, fashion, food and music.  Attendees celebrated survival, honored those who had fallen, learned about cancer prevalence and prevention, and left feeling inspired to further support the cause. 

In 2005, Juliana and Radhika were approached by close friends Katherine Vicker May, Shabnum Mehra, and Summer Frundel to form a dedicated executive team that brought fresh enthusiasm, loyalty, and expertise towards organizing what became a yearly event that progressively surpassed goals in community attendance and contributions for local breast-cancer beneficiaries. 

Beats for Boobs™ approached a new phase in history, when local volunteer Ashley Davidson moved to Seattle in 2008, and approached Juliana to consider a multi-city event, knowing that Beats for Boobs™ would be well-received beyond San Francisco. Commencing the role of local Event Director, Ashley assembled a team of passionate volunteers who created Seattle’s inaugural celebration of Beats for Boobs™ in 2010. 

Also in 2010, Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, a registered 501c3 non-profit, became the official fiscal sponsor of Beats for Boobs™.  In 2011, in addition to the San Francisco and Seattle events, Los Angeles eagerly hosted its inception of Beats for Boobs™ on October 2011 under the leadership of LA Event Director, Kristen Hosack!  In the true spirit and model of Beats for Boobs™, leaders Ashley, Kristen, and each of their local teams acted as Beats for Boobs™ ambassadors committed to uniting their respective communities in growing awareness and support for breast cancer and local breast cancer agencies.

Beats for Boobsª continues to grow organically and exponentially, attracting compassionate and devoted individuals who donate boundless energy, services, and time. We hope to see you at one of our 2012 events and to have you join our charge in joyous celebration and earnest remembrance of those impacted by breast cancer, and in support of invaluable local breast cancer organizations.