My mother’s ovarian cancer diagnosis amplified my family’s strong breast cancer and ovarian cancer history. When my mother and I both tested positive for a BRCA1 mutation, it came as no surprise. With my mother in Israel, I spent months at a time commuting back and… Continue reading
On November 30th, 2020 my world was turned upside down. On that evening I received a phone call from my primary care physician and heard those four dreaded words, "Yes Angela, it's cancer." My diagnosis was invasive ductal carcinoma with lymph node involvement. Thankfully, I… Continue reading
I had a mammogram in the fall of 2021 that indicated I needed a breast ultrasound. Everything looked okay, but six months later I felt a lump in my left breast which led to a biopsy. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), which means that the… Continue reading
If you’ve been diagnosed with ovarian or breast cancer, you may feel overwhelmed by what it means for you. It could feel like you’ve lost control—but learning how to be your own advocate can help you face the challenges. What does it really mean to advocate for yourself… Continue reading
Understanding your family cancer history – and how it impacts your own risk for cancer – is crucial for anyone looking to be proactive in managing their health. This is especially important for people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry who have an increased risk for carrying… Continue reading
I have a complicated relationship with Pinktober. Before cancer touched my life, I saw pink ribbons as a helpful reminder to get a mammogram. After I completed treatment for early-stage breast cancer and was deemed cancer-free, those ribbons symbolized victory and… Continue reading
Dear Sharsheret Family, I am writing to you today in the spirit of reflection, anchored in both gratitude and deep sorrow. October 7th is a day that all of us, as Jews and as human beings, will carry with us forever—a day of profound tragedy, resilience, and shared… Continue reading
If you're facing ovarian cancer or breast cancer, you're likely to come across many treatments and medical terms. ADCs, or antibody-drug conjugates, are a kind of treatment option you might hear about. This guide will explain what ADCs are, how they may help with ovarian… Continue reading
Eight years ago, I adopted a terrified, matted rescue dog dropped off as a stray at a high-kill shelter down south. He was on the euthanasia list and even bit me at our meet & greet. When asked if I still wanted to take him home, I apprehensively said, “Uh…… Continue reading
I recently saw the play Here There Are Blueberries. The play is based on a true story of a photo album featuring Nazi-era photographs that arrived at the desk of an archivist at the US Holocaust Museum in 2007. A central question to the play is what choices you make when you… Continue reading
In late 1974, I sat in our wood-paneled family room, watching the news as Betty Ford revealed to the world that she'd had breast cancer and a mastectomy. I called out to my mother in the kitchen, "Mom! What's a mastectomy" Dead silence. My mother had a long history of… Continue reading
I expected starting a new internship to feel a bit like starting a group project in school. Not knowing what to expect, overthinking what the people are going to be like, and the whole thing just being a little intimidating. But somehow, five minutes into my interview, I knew… Continue reading
In 2019, I was happily married, mother of two sons. I received good medical care and was in excellent shape. On a family trip to Greece, my belly was noticeably distended. I thought it might be traveler's stomach or perimenopause. I still felt bloated when we arrived home and… Continue reading
My connection to Sharsheret began in 2010, when, as an eight-year-old, I watched my mom participate in the NYC Triathlon for Team Sharsheret during its first year. I vividly recall making a poster to cheer… Continue reading
Before starting my internship at Sharsheret, I didn't fully grasp what it meant to be truly dedicated to your work. As someone who often procrastinates and dreads the concept of “work,” I didn't realize that people can not only enjoy their jobs but also find deep… Continue reading
Orange, green, blue and yellow, these are the colors of the shirts I would wear every year at the Sharsheret fall walk in Central Park NYC as a child. I would walk with my mom and sister and so many other women and their friends and family. I would wear pink in high… Continue reading
I’m eagerly counting down the days until Sharsheret’s 3rd Annual West Coast Dash, where I will proudly lead Team YICC (Young Israel of Century City), my synagogue in Los Angeles, for the third year. As Team Captain, I play a pivotal role in raising awareness and funds for… Continue reading
"Shan, we have a problem." The relationship I have with my oncologist is a very casual, easy one. We joke, we laugh, and he always tells everything to me straight. So, right away, I could tell by his demeanor that my PET/CT and MRI that morning showed progression to some… Continue reading
When you’ve had cancer, your emotional taste buds change everything. A sunset is more brilliant, smells of flowers are magnified, music touches the heart more. So when my daughter sent me a WhatsApp in December, 2017, that she was in the delivery room in a hospital in the… Continue reading
In honor of our newly launched Sharsheret Israel Initiative, we’re highlighting stories in Israel. When you live in community, others can remind you that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. I have always had friends, but just a couple of close friends. Some… Continue reading
