 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Raising Our Voices |
 |
Breast Friends -- A Non-Traditional Social Support Group
|
|
In September of 2003 a small group of women met in my Rye, NH, home to offer support after a devastating diagnosis of breast cancer. What started out as four women has since grown into an email community of over 105 members. We call ourselves "Breast Friends."
This amazing group of "Breast Friends" is a non-traditional social support group. We have all had breast cancer and received various treatments; some are going through it and others are years out; each individual offers a unique perspective on this life altering experience.
Our approach is simple: each month we meet at someone's home, or participate in an activity like kayaking or dance. At these monthly gatherings we talk, laugh and provide emotional support to each other.
New members can join and discuss their diagnosis and get answers to questions that only another survivor can answer. They get to see first hand that life goes on and sometimes gets better after breast cancer.
This is truly the most exclusive club you never want to belong to, but, if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, it becomes an incredible lifeline for many women. In addition to the meetings, we have an email distribution list that provides a great medium for us to communicate with each other.
If you are looking for structured clinical support or counseling, please seek out care at your local hospital, but if you are looking to connect with other survivors on a social level we are here to help. To learn more about this amazing group contact Jacqui Bryan at jacquib22@comcast.net.
Editor's Note: Members of "Breast Friends" offer support in other ways, too. To read stories of survivors on line, log onto www.breastcancerstories.com. For emotional support when you need it most, call "Fill The Gap" at 1-877-fillthegap (www.fillthegap.info). Fill The Gap is a volunteer telephone helpline for emotional and information support from first awareness of a breast cancer diagnosis to entry into treatment. |
|
|
| to top |
|
 |
|
| 18 Belle Lane, Lee, NH 03861-6438 • Phone: 603.659.3482 • E-mail: info@nhbcc.org |
 |
|
