The Elizabeth Smider Foundation (ESF) is dedicated to research and awareness for rare and aggressive breast cancers, especially metaplastic breast cancer. It was started in honor of Elizabeth (Grenier) Smider, who fought this disease with grit and grace, and inspired many.

Despite significant progress in cancer research, some cancers are rapidly growing, aggressive, and resistant to standard chemotherapies. Such subtypes of breast cancer are still treated like other breast cancers, despite recent evidence that these tumors are biologically distinct.

ESF will promote awareness amongst clinicians and the public about these cancers, and will sponsor therapeutically relevant research in particular. ESF will strive to complement other cancer research foundations and government agencies through both its activities as well as specific focus on rare and aggressive breast cancers, which often affect young women in the prime of their life.