Grant Partner Spotlight: Bradbury-Sullivan LGBTQ+ Community Center

At the Women’s 5K Classic, every registration, sponsorship, and donation represents something much bigger than race day. For 34 years, our mission has remained steadfast: to promote fitness among women and to support women with breast and gynecologic cancers through funding programs and research that improve lives throughout the Lehigh Valley.

One of the most rewarding parts of serving on our Grants Committee is visiting the organizations whose work is made possible, in part, through the generosity of our participants and supporters. This week, we had the privilege of visiting the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, where we saw firsthand how grant funding is helping to improve access to lifesaving cancer education and preventive healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals. We were delighted to meet with Krista Brown-Ly, Executive Director; Chrystina Obleschuk, Director of Programs; Ky Stocklinski, Community Health Advocate; and Maya Hicks, Intern. 

Healthcare disparities continue to exist within the LGBTQ+ community, often resulting in delayed screenings, barriers to care, and poorer health outcomes. Bradbury-Sullivan is working to change that by creating safe, affirming spaces where individuals can receive trusted health information and connect with resources that encourage preventive care.

The impact of their work is remarkable.

Over the past year, Bradbury-Sullivan has:

• Trained 122 healthcare professionals through the Pennsylvania LGBTQIA+ Health Summit, equipping providers with the tools to deliver culturally competent, affirming care.
• Reached more than 3,000 individuals through 92 community health outreach events across Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.
• Connected with nearly 4,000 people at Pride events throughout the region while providing LGBTQ+ affirming health education and cancer prevention resources. Their educational materials also reached more than 8,000 attendees at Lehigh Valley Pride.

Perhaps even more encouraging are the measurable improvements these efforts have produced.

Since 2018, mammogram screening rates among eligible LGBTQ+ community members have increased from 70.5% to 87.4%. During that same period, the percentage of eligible individuals who had never received a cervical Pap test decreased from 29.9% to 17.3%. These numbers represent lives changed through education, trust, and improved access to care.

The organization has also seen a significant increase in individuals seeking cancer support through LGBTQ+ organizations—from 41.5% in 2022 to 60.8% in 2024—demonstrating the importance of providing healthcare resources in environments where people feel welcomed, respected, and understood.

As we toured the center and learned more about their work, we were reminded that improving health outcomes requires more than medical advances alone. It requires meeting people where they are, removing barriers to care, and ensuring that every individual feels seen and supported.

We are proud that Women’s 5K Classic grant funding helps make this work possible. Together with our runners, sponsors, volunteers, and donors, we are investing in programs that not only provide education but also create lasting change in cancer prevention, early detection, and health equity throughout our community.

Thank you to everyone who participates in the Women’s 5K Classic. Every mile you run and every dollar you give helps organizations like Bradbury-Sullivan continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of women and families across the Lehigh Valley.