GrassrootsHealth and Helen Knoll Foundation Honor Pioneers in Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Research

ENCINITAS, Calif., Oct. 1, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- GrassrootsHealth and the Helen Knoll Foundation have joined forces to highlight the potential role of sunlight and vitamin D in breast cancer prevention during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This collaboration includes the inaugural Baggerly-Garland Awards, presented on World Vitamin D Day, to honor pioneering scientists who have advanced our understanding of vitamin D, UVB exposure, and cancer risk.

The awards ceremony, scheduled for November 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. PT, will take place at Goldberg Auditorium, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego. The event will recognize William B. Grant, PhD; Joan M. Lappe, PhD, RN; and Edward D. Gorham, MPH, PhD, for their groundbreaking work. The awards are named in honor of GrassrootsHealth founder Carole Baggerly and the Garlands, whose research at UC San Diego established the link between sunlight, vitamin D, and cancer risk.

Research from UC San Diego and over 200 other studies have shown that higher vitamin D blood levels are associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. A 2008 analysis of 107 countries, co-authored by two of this year's honorees, found that lower UVB levels were linked to higher breast cancer incidence. This work underscores the importance of UVB exposure, which initiates vitamin D production in the body.

Carole Baggerly, founder of GrassrootsHealth, has dedicated her efforts to bringing vitamin D research to public attention and translating scientific findings into practical health actions. The Helen Knoll Foundation, committed to preventing breast cancer, supports initiatives like "Knowing Your Vitamin D Number," which promotes vitamin D testing, education, and supplementation as a crucial step in breast cancer prevention.

The foundation emphasizes the importance of personalized vitamin D supplementation to achieve a target serum level of 40 to 60 ng/mL. Vitamin D can be obtained through sunlight, diet, and supplementation. Checking one's vitamin D levels through a healthcare provider or online home blood spot testing can help determine the appropriate dose. The Institute of Medicine has indicated that an intake of 10,000 IU/day is the no observed adverse effect level, and research has shown no toxicity from vitamin D below a serum 25(OH)D level of 150 ng/mL.

Solius Labs, the world's first Personalized Sunlight company, is developing FDA-cleared, medical-grade UVB light therapy technologies to support human health. By combining a targeted healthy UVB spectrum, personalized dosing, and clinical validation, Solius is redefining how UVB light is used to support human health.

The Helen Knoll Foundation's mission is to empower young women with essential knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, provide advocacy, and offer access to age-appropriate screenings. The foundation is committed to ensuring that every woman has the tools to take charge of her health. GrassrootsHealth, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public health organization, focuses on solving the vitamin D deficiency epidemic through research, education, and advocacy. The organization works with over 50 international vitamin D scientists and experts to translate published research into practice and public health action.

By bringing together these organizations and recognizing pioneering scientists, the event aims to advance the conversation on the role of sunlight and vitamin D in breast cancer prevention, ultimately contributing to improved public health outcomes.