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

 

Link Program

The Link Program connects younger women facing breast cancer with volunteers who have offered to share their own breast cancer experiences.  Although many women who call Sharsheret have the strength of support from family and friends, they seek additional guidance and reassurance from women who have already experienced breast cancer.  Callers are matched on a one-to-one basis with a "Link," a peer supporter who can address the Caller's specific concerns.  Sharsheret Callers and Links communicate at their convenience on an ongoing basis via telephone.  The Link Program is free of charge from anywhere in the United States and can be confidential.

• To learn more about participating in the Link Program, please call us toll-free (866) 474-2774 or click here to request an information packet.
• To view a list of frequently asked questions about the Link Program, click here.
• For more information about volunteering as a Sharsheret Link, click here.

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.

Education and Outreach Programs

The Education and Outreach Programs include both large- and small-scale efforts to educate patients and their families, health care professionals, and breast cancer organizations about the concerns unique to young women facing breast cancer, as well as the culturally specific needs of young Jewish women.  Sharsheret has partnered with other cancer organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation to present breast cancer symposia at major medical centers.  Medical symposia offer the opportunity for women facing breast cancer to join together with medical experts to explore the latest information on breast cancer research.

In addition, Sharsheret representatives have addressed audiences at conferences, breast cancer awareness events, and in private homes across the country.  Speakers are available to discuss, among other topics, breast cancer and the Jewish woman, breast cancer genetics and the Jewish woman, facing breast cancer as a young woman, and shaping culturally sensitive community outreach.

• To view transcripts of Sharsheret's past medical symposia, click here.
• For more information about bringing a Sharsheret speaker to your community, please call toll-free (866) 474-2774.

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 Link Program. Quality of Life Programs include:

• Busy Box: The Busy Box was developed in response to requests from women seeking support and resources to 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 for those facing hair loss and changes in skin tone.
• Empower: The Empower program was created to provide an opportunity for single women to connect in a comfortable community of their peers. The program includes resource materials and confidential teleconferences addressing the unique concerns of single women living with breast cancer. To view transcripts from all Empower teleconferences, please click here.

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 facing 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.

Back to "Programs and Services" Menu