For as long as I can remember, breast and ovarian cancer were a part of my family. But the cancer was on my father’s side, affecting relatives much older than I, so I naively told myself I had nothing to worry about. And then, last year, I got the call. Cancer had hit… Continue reading
When Marlene was shockingly diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in the Spring of 2016, our loving marriage of nearly 45 years was suddenly faced with the challenges of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Although Marlene was the one who had to endure this difficult and… Continue reading
As October comes to an end and breast cancer awareness month wraps up it is a great time to learn about the latest advances in breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction awareness day or ‘BRA day’ carves out one day in October to highlight all of the options available to… Continue reading
Growing up with two rabbis as parents, I was not only allowed to question everything – I was encouraged to do so. While I have applied this approach to academics, my career, relationships, and so many other facets of my life, I am most grateful for how it has made me an… Continue reading
“Are you of Ashkenazi Jewish Descent” It’s one of the first things asked of a new cancer patient. If you live somewhere without a strong Jewish community, this can make you feel extra different and lonely. That’s how I felt and why I was so comforted to find Sharsheret,… Continue reading
March 14, 2014. The day I became part of the Sharsheret family. Rochie Shoretz, Sharsheret’s Founder, messaged me on Facebook to be her trainer. I knew she had received the numbers of multiple trainers and I was honored that she had chosen me. I remember the first… Continue reading
For my mitzvah project, I have decided to work with Sharsheret. Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization, improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer through personalized support and saves lives… Continue reading
Thanks to changes in workplace laws and policies, having a disability does not preclude one from having a successful and fulfilling career. However, with regard to disabilities in general, it’s important to consider not only the more physically obvious ones, but also those… Continue reading
In my work at Sharsheret, I frequently tell my “Sharsheret story” in which I relay the ways in which Sharsheret supported my mom during her breast cancer treatment. This story brings a personal note to the work that I do, and explains why I am in the role I am in… Continue reading
My story begins with a routine mammogram that revealed several spots that needed to be biopsied. Simultaneously, I learned that my father’s health had taken a turn for the worse and I rushed to be with him for his final few days. My world was turned upside down and I struggled… Continue reading
We are partnering with AstraZeneca to raise awareness of genetic testing in ovarian cancer. During ovarian cancer awareness month, it is so important to correct some of the misconceptions about the relationship between ovarian cancer and the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. While… Continue reading
My first and only child, Simon, was born in December of 2007. We couldn’t believe that this blond haired, blue eyed baby was ours. He was perfect. We were learning to be new parents and were sleep deprived but happy. We laughed at all of our missteps, like the time when… Continue reading
Many of the prayers for the High Holiday season bring challenges when you may be in the midst of treatment or trying to figure out how to quiet that fear that always lives within you that the cancer may return. Sometimes, though, a prayer can be turned over on its head a… Continue reading
For breast or ovarian cancer survivors or women at risk, an insurance claim denial can feel like a setback, but it can feel empowering knowing you have options. If you have a private health insurance and your insurance denies a claim payment or terminates health plan coverage,… Continue reading
For my Bat Mitzvah project I chose to collect toys for the Busy Box program because I see from my mother (who works at Sharsheret) what a great organization Sharsheret is and how she helps so many mothers and their families. My mom has told me that when the children receive the… Continue reading
The lumpectomy procedure (sometimes referred to as Breast Conserving Surgery, or BCS) is the treatment of choice for many people with early-stage breast cancer. The surgeon seeks to remove the malignant tumor, while leaving behind as much healthy breast tissue as possible. … Continue reading
This summer I had the privilege to work as an intern at Sharsheret. Prior to my internship, I was familiar with Sharsheret’s mission, support programs, and resources. I had attended the annual gala benefit, participated in Pink Day and Sharsheret Cake Wars. I was eager to… Continue reading
Sharsheret has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My elementary and middle school hosted Pink Shabbats every October, my high school had Breast Cancer Awareness Days every year, and now, in college, Sharsheret is my sorority’s national philanthropy. To say I… Continue reading
There are promising developments in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), as new protocols, drugs and advances in immunotherapy provide more tools in combatting the aggressive disease. TNBC is more likely to spread and recur than other breast cancers, and its… Continue reading
Pies for Prevention, our Thanksgiving bake sale benefiting Sharsheret that’s now in its 11th year, gets bigger and better every year. In 2006 our mother, Stephanie Sussman, died of ovarian cancer; three years later her mother, our Grandma Ann Nadrich, succumbed to ovarian… Continue reading
