An Overview of Sharsheret’s Programs and Services
For Women Facing Breast Cancer
For Women Living With Advanced Breast Cancer
For Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer
For Family Members and Friends
For Health Care Professionals
For Jewish Community Leaders

 

Embrace

Embrace is a new Sharsheret program designed to meet the unique needs of young women living with advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Embrace offers program participants individual counseling sessions by phone with Sharsheret’s staff counselor, a telephone-based support group connecting women with health care professionals and with each other, and resources specific to women living with advanced breast cancer.

To learn more about participating in Embrace, please call toll-free (866) 474-2774.

Genetics for Life

Genetics for Life was designed in response to the women and families who have reached out to Sharsheret for information about breast cancer genetics and its impact on the Jewish woman and her family. The program includes information and materials to address concerns about hereditary breast cancer in the Jewish community; a Genetic Counselor Hotline for callers to speak directly with an experienced genetic counselor about their family history and implications of testing; health seminars for Jewish women about the importance of understanding family medical history as it relates to their own health; and resource materials for health care professionals to educate them about the urgent concern for Jewish women about genetic testing for BRCA gene mutations found in 1 of 40 Ashkenazic Jewish women.

• To speak to a Sharsheret genetic counselor, please call toll-free (866) 474-2774 or click here.
• To download the Breast Cancer Genetics and the Jewish Woman booklet, please click here.

Quality of Life Programs

Quality of Life Programs address the common concerns expressed by Sharsheret's Links and Callers during and beyond treatment.  The programs are currently available only to those who are enrolled in Sharsheret's Embrace Program.  Quality of Life Programs include:

• Busy Box: The Busy Box was developed in response to requests from women seeking support and resources to help them address the needs of their children during diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment. Each Busy Box includes resource materials and a video to educate parents about the impact of breast cancer on their children. The Busy Box also features a starter kit of games and activities to occupy children while their mother is at the doctor or resting after treatment.
• Best Face Forward: Best Face Forward was designed to address the cosmetic side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments affecting young women. The kit includes easy-to-follow make-up application instructions and tips specific for those facing hair loss and changes in skin tone.

To request information about Quality of Life Programs, please call toll-free (866) 474-2774.

Sharsheret Forum

The Sharsheret Forum is an online, moderated Forum that allows Jewish women facing breast cancer to post and respond to questions and concerns and is designed to accommodate the needs of women who seek privacy in connecting with others who share their diagnosis and lifestyle. Family members and caregivers also benefit from participating in the Forum by sharing strategies with other caregivers who are facing similar challenges and concerns. Forum topics include facing breast cancer as a Jewish woman, dating and relationships through cancer, living with advanced breast cancer, and breast cancer genetics.

To access the Sharsheret Forum, click here.

Sharsheret Booklet Series

Sharsheret has published a booklet series designed to raise awareness about issues many Jewish women face in their fight against breast cancer.

• Facing Breast Cancer as a Jewish Woman provides culturally-sensitive information about breast cancer and the support available to Jewish women.  To view this booklet and to download, click here.
• Facing Breast Cancer as an Orthodox Jewish Woman provides culturally sensitive information about breast cancer and the support available to Orthodox and Hasidic women.  To view this booklet, click here.
• Breast Cancer Genetics and the Jewish Woman addresses frequently asked questions about hereditary breast cancer and its impact on the Jewish woman and her family.  To view this booklet, click here.

To order Sharsheret booklets free of charge, click here.

Resources and Information

Sharsheret volunteers offer tips and suggestions to women undergoing breast cancer treatment. To view a copy of "Preparing for Surgery and Treatment," click here.

Sharsheret maintains a directory of breast cancer resources by subject.  To view a list of resources for Jewish women living with advanced breast cancer, click here.

Sharsheret can also help you locate additional resources you may need over time.  Please call Sharsheret toll-free (866) 474-2774 to speak with a Program Coordinator and request information.

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