Remembering Elizabeth “Betsy” Brenner: Leader, Advocate, and Long-Time ABCD Champion

January 26, 2026

It is with profound sadness that ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis shares the passing of Elizabeth “Betsy” Brenner, a cherished leader, advocate, and long-time champion of our organization.

Betsy gave generously of her time, talent, and heart to ABCD through her leadership, vision, and unwavering belief in our vision that no one faces breast cancer alone. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and later living with metastatic disease for 13 years, Betsy remained deeply committed to ensuring that anyone impacted by breast cancer could access the free, personalized emotional support she knew was so essential.

After ABCD’s late founder, Melodie Wilson Oldenburg, invited Betsy to join the Board of Directors, she served from 2007–2013, including one year as President, and returned from 2016–2018 as Vice President during a pivotal period of transformational growth. She brought not only strategic leadership, but also deep care for the people at the heart of our work. Her guidance, generosity, and belief in ABCD helped strengthen our long-term sustainability and grow ABCD from a Wisconsin-based organization into the international breast cancer support community we are today.

Beyond ABCD, Betsy was a nationally respected media executive and civic leader who made a tremendous impact on the lives of countless people. She held distinguished leadership roles at leading newspapers across the country, including serving as Publisher of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from 2005–2016. She was deeply proud of her civic engagement and her lifelong commitment to improving health, opportunity, and well-being for others.

In recognition of her extraordinary dedication, ABCD presented Betsy with the Power of One-to-One Award in 2020. In her acceptance remarks, she spoke with the honesty and grit that defined her life: “When you’re a survivor or thriver, people like to tell you how brave you are. Brave? Not at all. You’ve faced the choice between living your life or curling up like a ball at the bottom of your shower. As for me – I choose to live my life.”

Betsy chose not only to live fully, but to invest her time, energy, and compassion in helping others feel less alone. Her legacy will live on through the thousands of lives impacted by ABCD’s work every year, and through the many communities she served with purpose and compassion. Her wisdom, generosity, and steadfast dedication will be remembered always, and she will be deeply missed.