The Care Project
By MIA ROTELL
What started as a stage three breast cancer diagnosis turned into a county-wide nonprofit that’s helped hundreds of people affected by breast cancer — including men, women, and young people of all ages.
Carrie Madrid was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. She surmounted treatment through chemotherapy and other medical treatments. She came out the other side with a whole new perspective on life and an intense passion for helping others affected by breast cancer.
“It started as a big bright idea to help others,” Madrid said. She founded the nonprofit, The Care Project, Inc., in Riverside in 2013. “I didn’t want to compete with any other nonprofits — I just wanted to fill in the gaps.”
Over the years, their care has turned to helping families affected by breast cancer, providing medical equipment to patients, like wheelchairs and crutches, and even paying patients’ bills.
“They shouldn’t have to decide between feeding their children or paying for treatment,” Madrid said about the financial care that The CARE Project, Inc., offers. “Everyday necessities become luxuries when you’re not working full-time because of your treatment.”
The original goal for The CARE Project, Inc. was to help people pay their bills. It then grew into offering an array of assistance, including emotional and mental support to patients and families, providing lymphedema arm sleeves, donating vegan cosmetics, and much more.
They’ve expanded all across the nation since opening in 2013. Their “Men 2” program, started in 2017, provides support and raises awareness for men who are overcoming breast cancer. They often partner with Nanopic Cancer, which helps men with different kinds of cancer. The Young Survivor Coalition specializes in young people who are battling cancer.
“Come to us for support, but you should also have the support of as many programs that you can have,” Madrid said when talking about the different support programs The CARE Project Inc. recommends people to go to.
The most recent addition to her nonprofit is the Adam’s Angels program, where grants are given to children who have lost parents to breast cancer. The first grant the program presented was in 2024 — the grants are $5,000 each.
To contact them about donations, upcoming fundraising events, or for other endeavors, email support@thecareprojectinc.org or call (951)742-7405. The organization has also released “Handle With Care: Your Breast Cancer Support Group in a Book,” by Carrie Madrid and Margaret Lesh, available at multiple online providers.
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