Our Voices: A Blog by Links, Callers & Volunteers

Your Jewish Genes Joins Sharsheret’s Educational Resource Series

2011-08-22T16:11:00.004-04:00

By: Niecee Schonberger, MS, CGC, Genetics for Life Program Coordinator

I’m excited to introduce the newest addition to Sharsheret’s educational resource booklet series. Your Jewish Genes offers up-to-date information about inherited breast cancer and ovarian cancer today and answers the questions that are most commonly asked about this topic in a clear, concise way. The personal stories shared in the booklet touch on many of the aspects of genetic testing faced by women in their journey with cancer and these stories can help guide others during the search toward their own path. As a Genetic Counselor, I love the fact that Your Jewish Genes emphasizes the importance of knowing your family history and taking advantage of genetic counseling before making any decisions. After you read the booklet, I’ll be happy to speak with you and discuss your own concerns or connect you with one of the many peer supporters in Sharsheret’s national network who can share her experience with you. Our Genetics for Life program also provides other informational resources and transcripts of our national teleconferences and webinars, including Prophylactic Surgery For Breast And Ovarian Cancer: How Will It Affect Me? Call us today at 866-474-2774 or visit us online at http://www.sharsheret.org/ to order your free copy of Your Jewish Genes.

Right There Beside You

2011-08-05T15:32:00.003-04:00

We're always assuring you - our Team Sharsheret athletes - that we're cheering you on to the finish line. This year, our cheers may sound a bit louder. Ellen, Elana and I will share a relay spot, and Rebecca of our staff will compete in the Triathlon this Sunday. Literally and figuratively, we are doing this together - raising awareness about breast cancer in the Jewish community and welcoming hundreds of new friends to the Sharsheret family. We are grateful that you've chosen to be a part of our Team, and even more grateful that you've chosen to be a part of our mission. On Sunday, when you look around and marvel at all that you've accomplished through training, I hope our thanks, and the gratitude of the thousands of women and families we are blessed to serve, gives you that added push to the finish line. We're cheering you on. And we're right there beside you.

With deep thanks,
Rochelle

Take on our 10-day challenge!

2011-07-29T13:58:00.001-04:00

Only 10 days until the New York City Triathlon and our staff members Rochelle, Elana, and Ellen are ready to take on the triathlon as a relay team if YOU can help us get 1,000 new Facebook fans! Tell your friends to "like" our page – www.facebook.com/sharsheret.org - and post your name on our wall as the person who referred them and not only will you and one lucky friend be eligible to win an iTunes gift card, but Elana will swim in the Hudson, Rochelle will ride her bike on the West Side Highway, and Ellen will lace up her sneakers and cross the finish line in Central Park next Sunday! We're ready to take on the 10-day challenge - are you?!?

Helping Us Help You

2011-07-19T11:42:00.000-04:00

By: Ruthie Arbit, Sema Heller Netivot Shalom Summer Intern

After 10 weeks of interning at Sharsheret, I can safely say that I went from a state of bewilderment from when I initially heard about Sharsheret in April to a state of admiration. Then, I was struck by the cause; I didn’t know that breast cancer and ovarian cancer were Jewish issues and I wondered what Sharsheret was doing to help Jewish women facing these illnesses. Now, I am in awe as I think about the callers, the peer supporters, and the volunteers who help us at Sharsheret do what we do.

The Sharsheret office is an incredible place. On any given day there is a string of devoted volunteers popping in and out, Team Sharsheret athletes coming in to meet with the staff, and the daily visit by the postman who picks up packages filled with hundreds of breast cancer and ovarian cancer brochures to be delivered to women and families, health care professionals, conferences, and Jewish organizations nationwide. Add all of this to the hard work that the dedicated staff at Sharsheret puts in – providing emotional support to women living with cancer and their families, answering countless questions from health care professionals about the unique needs of their Jewish patients, planning outreach events to spread the word about Sharsheret’s programs and services, coordinating medical symposia, and processing generous contributions from donors. It’s no surprise then that after only 10 years since its inception, Sharsheret has become an esteemed national organization with 11 programs, more than 1,200 peer supporters, and thousands of volunteers and supporters.

However, what impresses me most about Sharsheret are the women. The women who call Sharsheret for support as they ponder the potentially life-changing decision of whether or not to undergo genetic testing, the women who have just finished their final round of chemo and are already volunteering to be peer supporters, and those who are living with metastatic cancer and finding value in every day moments.

All of these women amaze me.

So, as I near the end of my internship, I want to say thank you to the women whose strength fuels the energy of Sharsheret. I am sure that this won’t be the last time I will be surprised by the amazing work of Sharsheret, its staff, and its women. Although my internship is ending, my connection to Sharsheret will remain strong. I look forward to joining Sharsheret’s volunteer force and contributing my time and skills to this wonderful organization.

Meet Team Sharsheret’s 10 Triathletes!

2011-07-18T11:33:00.008-04:00

We are excited to introduce Team Sharsheret’s 10 athletes who will compete in the Nautica/NYC Triathlon on August 7, 2011. Our athletes have been training hard for this Olympic Distance Race that includes a 1500m swim, a 40k bike, and a 10k run! Please join us in supporting their athletic and fundraising efforts as they take on this incredible challenge.

Jonathan Blinken

David Bosses

Robert Eisenberg

David Glick

Judah Greenblatt

Mark Levie

Rebecca Schwartz

Talya Spitzer

Max Trestman

Laurie Wechsler Horn

Get in shape with Sharsheret!

2011-06-17T11:09:00.003-04:00

Whether you’re an experienced athlete or a beginner, Team Sharsheret has lots of exciting opportunities to help you stay in shape and challenge your athletic abilities. Check out these events and competitions and let us know which one you want to sign up for!

Ever dream of running 26.2 miles? Team Sharsheret has slots for the ING NYC Marathon on November 6, 2011! Don’t live in the tri-state area? We offer one round-trip ticket from your U.S. hometown to a NYC area airport! E-mail athletes@sharsheret.org to apply for your slot today and include your name, phone number, and a brief description of yourself and why you want to join Team Sharsheret. For more information, visit Team Sharsheret 2011 ING NYC Marathon.
Join award-winning Team Sharsheret at the NYC Race for the Cure, September 18, 2011 in Central Park, NYC. Sign up before July 16th and save $5 at www.komennyc.org/goto/sharsheret2011 and click on the words "Join Team".
Team Sharsheret has slots for the now sold out 2012 Ironman US Championship, a 140.6 mile race, to be held in the greater NYC/NJ area on August 11, 2012. This race will be the first ever Ironman competition in the New York City metropolitan area. For more information, e-mail ekleinhaus@sharsheret.org.

From the Cab to the Conference: ASCO’s Annual Meeting From a Patient’s Perspective

2011-06-10T14:10:00.000-04:00

By: Rochelle Shoretz, Founder and Executive Director

Each year, thousands of clinicians and researchers convene at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Sprinkled among them are patient advocates and patients, like me, who attend sessions so that they can share the latest research with others. This year, I was fortunate to attend the ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago with a patient advocate scholarship from the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO, and I’m delighted to be able to share research in both breast cancer and ovarian cancer with you.

But first, I need to share a conversation I had with a cab driver on my way to a local outreach event we coordinated for cancer survivors and professionals.

“Let me ask you a question,” the driver began. “There are thousands of researchers and doctors attending this cancer conference, but there is still no cure for cancer. Isn’t this a waste of time and money?”

I’ve heard this question many times before, and I’ve answered it many times before. But this time, I was en route to meet some of our Sharsheret callers living in Chicago, and survivors interested in learning more about our national programs – and the answer seemed more urgent. As I explained to the driver, the research presented at ASCO may not, itself, be the cure for the cancer, but it certainly includes critical pieces to the larger puzzle. And even though that research may not offer the cure today, it is giving most of us living with cancer better quality of life and, some of us, longer lives to live.

I hopped out of the cab and headed into “Cocktails and Conversation”, an opportunity for me to meet with our Sharsheret callers and new women welcomed by our partner organizations in Chicago – Bright Pink, Cancer Legal Resource Center, FORCE, Gilda’s Club Chicago, MyLifeLine.org, and Y-Me. Everyone was buzzing about the conference and the research to be presented that weekend.

For those of us facing breast cancer, the big ASCO news stemmed from a study that showed that post-menopausal women who have a high risk of breast cancer were less likely to develop the disease when they received an aromatase inhibitor called exemestane (Aromasin). That news is important for many of our Sharsheret callers, as 1 in 40 Jews of Ashkenazi descent is at high risk of developing breast cancer (and ovarian cancer) because of a mutation they carry in what is commonly referred to as the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. You can read more about the study at http://bit.ly/iLSZuj.

For those of us facing ovarian cancer, scientists at ASCO presented promising research findings from two studies that examined the drug bevacizumab (Avastin) to treat recurrent and newly-diagnosed ovarian cancer. You can read more about those studies at http://bit.ly/iqlc4a.

You can call Sharsheret to speak with a genetic counselor or one of our clinical staff with any questions about these research studies.

As we exhibit and attend breast cancer and ovarian cancer conferences across the country, all of the staff at Sharsheret look forward to sharing our findings with you. Whether our perspectives are gleaned in the cab or the conference hall, we’re proud to be your source of support and information on this journey.

Counting Time

2011-06-07T11:32:00.000-04:00

By: Shera Dubitsky, Sharsheret Clinical Supervisor

Beginning the second night of Passover until the night before the holiday of Shavuot, many Jews engage in the ritual of the counting of the Omer, the 49 days from Passover to Shavuot. The counting signifies a link between the Exodus from Egypt and slavery to the giving of the Torah and redemption. Every night after sundown, the Omer is recited using unusual terminology. For example we say, “Today is eighteen days, which is two weeks and four days of the Omer.”

As I have been reciting the Omer this year, I am reminded of how I frequently hear the women of Sharsheret counting. “Three more days until my surgery…. One week post-surgery, Three days waiting for my pathology report…. Third treatment in, five more to go….Today is two years post-treatment…. Six months until my next follow-up scan….”

Counting. Everything is carefully measured in time, particularly when faced with the challenges of living with cancer. The counting represents a link between feeling enslaved by cancer and treatments, and the hope for freedom from this disease. And then the counting begins again - but in a new way - “six-month survivor, five-year survivor, ten years since my diagnosis.”

There is another dimension to this counting. Women living with cancer are not merely watching the calendar; we are making our lives count. Every day I hear from women who are strengthening their relationships, not sweating the small stuff, and finding meaning in their lives. Throughout this journey, women are experiencing “aha moments” and they are sharing what they have learned and supporting one another. One caller recently shared that when she was home recovering from surgery, she spent a lot of time sitting with her kids, chatting, laughing, and watching television. These were moments that she would have earlier described as “doing nothing,” because she wasn’t running around doing things with her kids and for the kids. She realized that being still and focused in the simple moment of spending time together, made her feel more connected to them.

As I approach Shavuot, I am grateful to the women and families of Sharsheret for reminding me that it’s not just about counting time, but about making time count.

Get Connected With Sharsheret In Chicago!

2011-06-01T11:59:00.000-04:00

Sharsheret Presents Free National Teleconference & Webinar

2011-06-01T11:53:00.001-04:00

To access the Teleconference:

Please call (888) 479-6525 at 7:55 p.m. (EDT).
To join the Webinar:

1) Complete the System Check before logging in.
Click or copy and paste this link into your browser address bar: https://www.conferenceservers.com/browser/?brand=conferencesuite

2) Go to: http://www.conferencesuite.com/join.html

3) Complete ALL required fields and click "Log In"

Participant Code: 98387292

Watch exclusive interviews with Sharsheret’s Jewel families

2011-05-16T14:50:00.000-04:00

Want To Run The ING NYC Marathon?

2011-04-29T18:51:00.004-04:00

DIDN'T WIN A SLOT FOR THE

ING NYC MARATHON ON

NOVEMBER 6, 2011?

TEAM SHARSHERET HAS SLOTS!

E-mail athletes@sharsheret.org to apply for your slot today and include your name, phone number, and a brief description of yourself and why you want to join Team Sharsheret.

For more information, visit Team Sharsheret 2011 ING NYC Marathon.

Help us reach family and friends!

Looking forward to welcoming you to Team Sharsheret.

A New Take On The Four Passover Questions

2011-04-14T12:31:00.001-04:00

By: Shera Dubitsky, Sharsheret Clinical Supervisor

In just a few days, Jews all over the world will participate in the Passover Seder. We will read from the same text, engage in many of the same rituals. Yet each Seder is unique. Every family brings its own traditions to the Seder, how they prepare, who hosts, who takes the lead, and who will clean up the next morning after only a few hours of sleep.

Individually, our Seder experience changes year to year. It is quite amazing how I can read the same story over and over again, yet each repetition highlights different aspects of the story depending on what’s going on in my life at the time. Perhaps this is why we are directed to read this story annually. We are challenged to find new meaning and garner new strength to guide us along the varying milestones of the journey, bringing us out of uncertainty to seder (order).

I imagine that for those of you, like me, who have a family history of cancer, you may relate to those Jews who were debating whether or not to leave Egypt. “Is this a journey that is necessary for me to take or will I be safe enough here?”

For those of you who are diagnosed with breast cancer or ovarian cancer, perhaps you connect with the people who felt rushed to make a decision with limited information and time to prepare as they embarked on their journey to the unknown. “I know that my well-being is in jeopardy in this moment. I am tired. I am scared. How should I push forward?”

Many people who left Egypt survived the splitting of the sea, wandering in the wilderness, and the anticipation of the journey into Canaan, wondered about the challenges ahead. Perhaps their story resonates with those of you who are post-treatment. “I am in awe of everything that I have survived to this point. I have learned so much about myself and my family and friends, but there is that little voice whispering in my ear, what lies ahead for me?”

Family members who have a loved one living with breast or ovarian cancer may relate to Moses’ family, who played an active role in the Passover story. “How can I best support my loved one?”

These Four Questions are just a sampling of the questions we hear at Sharsheret on a daily basis. We receive calls from women differing in age and cultural background. Women call us at varying junctures along their breast cancer or ovarian cancer journey. Although each individual and each family will have its own approach to coping and navigating this journey, Sharsheret is here to help provide seder (order), to share information, and to offer support along the way. As you continue to revisit the Passover story, we encourage you to revisit Sharsheret along your journey. Here you will find renewed meaning and renewed hope.

Celebrating the Big 3-0 With Breast Cancer

2011-04-08T08:21:00.000-04:00

By: Ronit Brakha of Memphis, Tennessee, Sharsheret Peer Supporter

November 7, 1998 started out as a very regular Shabbat and ended up being a day my family and I will never forget. I was getting dressed for synagogue when my thumb bumped into something hard on my breast. I ignored it and went on with my day. Later that afternoon, I checked again, and yes, the lump was still there. At that point I told my husband who said he also felt it. Monday took forever to arrive. I made an appointment with the first available doctor in my OB-GYN practice. That doctor said it was probably nothing, to try eliminating chocolate and caffeine from my diet and come back in a month. I was a few weeks shy of my 30th birthday, which is probably why he thought it was reasonable to assume that it was nothing. I made my appointment for the following month and went home. However, somewhere deep in my gut I didn't feel right. I never had cysts and it didn't make sense to me that I would suddenly have one. I called back the next day and got an appointment with my regular doctor. I saw her on Wednesday and she sent me for a mammogram, which came back suspicious on Thursday. I saw a surgeon on Friday and was scheduled for a lumpectomy that Monday.

It was then that I took a deep breath and reached out to the wonderful friends and doctors in my community. I spoke to a friend of ours who is a radiologist and he took a look at my mammogram scans and told me that there was more there than just the one lump. He spoke with a colleague of his, who opened her clinic for me on a Sunday, did several ultrasound pictures, and gave me a hand-written report. She wouldn’t take any money or insurance information. She told me to just go and get better. The next step was an appointment with a surgeon who did a needle biopsy on three different places on my breast. All three came back positive for cancer. On the Friday before my 30th birthday I met with the surgeon who determined that the best course of action would be a modified radical mastectomy. My one request was to get through my birthday first. So my surgery was scheduled for the Thursday after my 30th birthday.

When I was first diagnosed, I didn't know what to do or think or even feel. I was a young wife and mother. I had three beautiful children ages 1, 3, and 5. They needed their mother. What could I do? Where could I turn? I put my name on our community's prayer list. I am the only Ronit in our city, so everyone in the community knew I was sick. That was the best thing I could have done for myself. Reaching out gave me the support and love that my family and I needed to get through this difficult time. I am thrilled to be part of Sharsheret’s national network of peer supporters and provide much-needed support to other young women facing a breast cancer diagnosis.

My Breast Cancer Journey

2011-04-07T10:05:00.002-04:00

By: Evie Kaplan Downing of Wilmington, Delaware, Sharsheret Caller

My journey with breast cancer began on Mother’s Day 2009. I was 28-years-old. While breastfeeding my 21-month-old son, I noticed that my right breast hurt. Instead of feeling the small, firm spot signaling a clogged duct that I expected to find, I felt a much larger lump. I immediately made an appointment with my doctor who was, thankfully, able to see me that day. After she examined my breast, she assured me that she didn’t think the lump was cancerous. Just to be safe, she wanted me to have an ultrasound and a mammogram and probably a biopsy too, but she didn’t think I had anything to worry about. I went for my mammogram a few days later feeling lighthearted and unconcerned. I thought nothing of it when the technician told me that the radiologist needed to speak with me. He explained that my right breast showed large calcium deposits that were “consistent with carcinoma.” Before I knew it, I had an appointment with a breast surgeon. A biopsy showed that the tumor was, indeed, cancerous. I had a lumpectomy and 16 cancerous lymph nodes removed, and then learned I would need a mastectomy. I met with an oncologist who suggested I have genetic testing done because I am of Ashkenazi descent and was diagnosed at such a young age. At the time, I had no idea that being an Ashkenazi Jew put me at higher risk. The test showed that I was BRCA2 positive, so I opted for a bilateral mastectomy. The mastectomy was followed by 5 months of chemotherapy and 4 weeks of radiation, as well as breast reconstruction with expanders followed by silicone implants.

My involvement with Sharsheret began when my mother suggested that I call. I was really touched by how much the clinical staff cared about my well-being. They set me up with a peer supporter who had also been diagnosed while she was still breastfeeding, but at the time, I was still in too much shock over my diagnosis to make the call. After I completed most of my treatment, I began thinking about how I would have to put off having more children and found it very upsetting. Sharsheret set me up with another peer supporter. I realized that I’m not quite ready to face delayed childbearing head-on, but it is comforting to know that when I am ready, there is someone there for me to speak with who has been through this as well. This past December I participated in Sharsheret’s teleconference on prophylactic surgery for breast and ovarian cancer. I found it reassuring to hear women who had undergone prophylactic surgery speak about the pros and cons and about how it had affected them. The teleconference also answered several questions I had about having an oophorectomy.

I will be taking medication for the next five years. I will consider having an oophorectomy before I turn 40 because of my increased risk of ovarian cancer. At the same time, I learned that I am a whole lot stronger than I knew. I learned what an amazing group of friends I have. My husband and I realized how much we really mean to each other and that we really do want to spend the rest of our lives together. It has not been an easy journey, but I have learned a lot about myself and the world. I would never wish breast cancer on anyone, but I would also never take back my experience.

You’re Too Young To Have Cancer

2011-04-06T08:51:00.005-04:00

By: Marcia Donziger of Denver Colorado, Sharsheret Peer Supporter

I was 27 and thought I had a bladder infection. It turned out to be a tumor on my right ovary. At first, my gynecologist was not concerned. “Could it be cancer?” I worried. “No,” she replied, “You’re too young to have cancer.” I was married and trying to get pregnant at the time, so I scheduled surgery immediately to get it over with. The doctor assured me the worst that could happen is I’d lose one ovary and I would still be able to have children. She was confident the tumor was benign.

On the day of my surgery, I was wheeled into the pre-op room. That’s when the medical assistant approached me with a legal form to sign, agreeing to the potential of having a hysterectomy. My doctor and I never discussed this. Five hours later, the surgery was over, and I was in the recovery room. I was in a lot of pain. That’s when my doctor broke the news. “I’m sorry, but you have ovarian cancer. We had to do a complete hysterectomy.” Through the pain I heard, “You have cancer. You can’t have children.” The irony was that my doctor was six months pregnant. Her belly at my eye level made me feel even more devastated.

Stage IIIc ovarian cancer spread throughout my abdomen. I faced infertility, followed by a bowel obstruction, and six months of chemotherapy. One of the things I struggled with most was keeping friends and family up-to-date with what was going on. I felt the daily burden of not communicating effectively with those I loved who were so concerned. In 2007, I founded a non-profit organization to help all cancer patients and caregivers easily communicate with friends and family during the treatment process. MyLifeLine.org Cancer Foundation believes a strong support community is critical for cancer patients. We provide free, personal websites to cancer patients and caregivers so they can easily connect with family and friends, because no patient should ever feel alone.

The other major difficulty I dealt with was not knowing anyone else my age with ovarian cancer. The average age of diagnosis at that time was 61 and I was 27. The worst side effect was infertility and I couldn’t find anyone else who could relate to me. For this reason, I am so proud of Sharsheret for developing a peer support program for young, Jewish women living with ovarian cancer. I am excited to be a peer supporter and share the important message with other young women facing ovarian cancer that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and there are fertility options.

Today, my husband and I are the parents of twin boys, age 5 ½, who were born with the help of an anonymous egg donor and surrogate mom. Becoming a mom was the final piece to my healing, and I look forward to helping other young ovarian cancer patients through Sharsheret.

Pregnant With Breast Cancer

2011-04-05T08:48:00.000-04:00

By: Michelle Rosch of Naperville, Illinois, Sharsheret Peer Supporter

On February 18th, 2008, two weeks after my 27th birthday and eight months into my first pregnancy, I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. Due to the aggressive nature of my cancer, I delivered my son, Aiden, a month early and had a double mastectomy with reconstruction one week later. The doctors informed me that I was estrogen positive and would risk the cancer returning if I had any more children. My wonderful sister-in-law, April, offered to carry my next child, so I immediately started receiving daily hormone shots to harvest my eggs starting a week after my surgery with just three weeks to finish the process before I started chemotherapy.

During the summer of 2008, I received six chemotherapy treatments every three weeks for four months. After 18 days I started losing my hair, so my husband, Mike, and I decided to shave our heads. I shaved his head and he shaved mine. We actually laughed and had a fun time doing it! I bought a few wigs but only wore them for weddings. I was most comfortable wearing a cute scarf, especially since it was so hot outside. After chemo, I had 7 weeks of daily radiation. The radiation made me feel tired and my skin felt like I had a bad sunburn, but it was very tolerable compared to the side-effects of chemo.

As 2009 began, I had a preventive hysterectomy and had my first breast reconstruction surgery 3 weeks later - all before Aiden's first birthday. I accomplished so much in a year and it felt nice for the first time to view myself as a strong and brave person. I especially loved my new short hairstyle! Over the next year I had my last reconstructive surgeries and here I am today, 3 years later. I'm healthy, happy, feeling great, and loving life!

The most important thing for me to do is give back and make a difference in the lives of other women living with breast cancer. Volunteering for Sharsheret as a peer supporter has been such a positive part of my life. I remember what a difference it made for me to have support from other young survivors and I am happy to give back in any way I can.

Breast Cancer For My 26th Birthday

2011-04-04T11:05:00.002-04:00

By: Shira Gross of New York City, Sharsheret Caller

On the drive back to Manhattan after an incredible birthday getaway weekend, I received a phone call that would change my life forever. “Your pathology came back positive for Invasive Ductile Carcinoma.” I was diagnosed with breast cancer on my 26th birthday.

That following week was a blur comprised of doctor shopping, crying, reading scary things online, questioning my faith, etc. Before I had a second to breathe, I was at the hospital getting a core guided MRI biopsy of two other “questionable” lumps in both breasts. In my periphery I see the stoic and stoney-eyed technician who immediately became sympathetic when I started to cry. She asked me, "Are you familiar with King Solomon?" She then shared with me a snippet from his life. He wore a ring that said, “this, too, shall pass” and he would look to his ring during tough times. She told me to be brave like King Solomon and that I would get through this.

“This, too, shall pass” really became a mantra for me throughout this experience – despite how cliché it sounded at the time. I knew I would get through my lumpectomy and return to work just a few days later. I knew I would get through four rounds of chemo and losing my hair and social life, and now I’m even able to go out in my wig and still get approached at a bar and I got promoted at work! And ultimately, after having a change of heart, I knew I would get through my bi-lateral mastectomy and somehow resort back to a somewhat normal life.

I am very grateful for finding Sharsheret and being connected with a peer supporter who I can call with any questions. As a young woman with breast cancer, there were many issues that I faced that I did not feel comfortable speaking about with most people. Fortunately, Sharsheret introduced me to another young woman who provided me with incredible support.

I thank G-d that I caught this myself so early and that I am a survivor! Sometimes we get caught up in challenges and cannot see through, but we can draw strength from knowing that “this, too, shall pass.”

AEPi Israel Goes Pink!

2011-03-22T13:06:00.002-04:00

By: Tal Weiss, Philanthropic Chair, AEPi Aleph Colony

I am proud to be a part of the Aleph Colony of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity’s (the first fraternity in Israel) inaugural event in support of Sharsheret. Last night, our chapter presented Pink!, a Cabaret-style benefit concert to promote breast cancer awareness and empowering women. We hosted the event at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in the city of Herzliya. A trio of amazing IDC women, Ilana Gindis, Saphira Tessler, and Naomi Winkler, dazzled the audience with awe-inspiring renditions of contemporary Broadway and Cabaret songs. In a first-ever collaboration between AEPi chapters in Israel and the United States, the show will be broadcasted live to select U.S. universities and will also be available via live stream following the event. Thanks to everyone who helped make this incredible event possible. We are excited to work with Sharsheret, in what we know will be the start of a very long collaboration.

Watch the Pink! concert now! http://www.ustream.tv/channel/pink-a-benefit-concert

Starting For You, Finishing For Us

2011-03-18T14:45:00.001-04:00

By: Rochelle Shoretz, Sharsheret Founder and Executive Director

Dear Heather, Janine, Tami, Natalie, Alyse, Aviva, Penina, Alexa, Melanie, and Amy,

You must be excited. I’ve heard about your training, the months of stretching and practice runs that you’ve plowed through to finish the NYC Half-Marathon on Sunday. You’ve been comparing athletic gear, finish times, running techniques. Many of you are competing for the first time, proving to yourselves that you can take on this challenge. Others have competed before, proving to yourselves that you are stronger and faster than in years past. On Sunday, you’ll stand at the start line with a rush of adrenaline about the personal challenge ahead.

But at the end of your run – when you cross that finish line – you will have raced for us, the women and families of Sharsheret. We will be there – patients and survivors – to say thank you for all you have done to support our journey through breast cancer and ovarian cancer. We will be there – mothers, fathers, sons and daughters – to say thank you for the funds you have raised for the programs that make life so much better for those we love facing cancer. We will be there – friends, community leaders, doctors and nurses – to say thank you for raising awareness about the impact of breast cancer on our Jewish community.

So run your best race for you. We’ll be there at the finish line to say, “Thanks. We know you did it for us.”

Best,
Rochelle

Queen Esther’s New Normal

2011-03-17T13:41:00.002-04:00

By: Shera Dubitsky, Sharsheret Clinical Supervisor

On Purim, we read the story of Esther. After the King of Shushan banishes his queen for disobedience, a beauty contest is held to find a new queen. A lovely young Jewish woman named Esther is selected as queen, reluctantly. Esther has no choice but to accept her new circumstances. Upon entering the kingdom, she finds herself in very unfamiliar territory. She chooses not to disclose her Jewish identity. In order to survive, Esther struggles between holding on to her sense of self and her values and needing to make choices that are outside of her comfort zone. She needs to embrace the new normal. Esther realizes that she does not have to face these challenges alone – she turns to the Jewish community for strength and support and ultimately, together they find reward and victory.

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer or ovarian cancer, she finds herself in very unfamiliar territory, reluctantly. She learns a new language of tumors and treatment. Her body changes due to surgery or medical side effects. She may choose not to disclose her diagnosis publicly. She may not know what her life as a survivor looks like.

Living with cancer and surviving cancer means living outside of your comfort zone, at times. Your challenge is to embrace the new normal. Like Esther, you don’t need to experience this in isolation. We learn from Esther that collectively we can be stronger than any one of us is individually. By turning to Sharsheret, you find a Jewish community of women and their families, health care providers, and spiritual leaders and the experience is rewarding. Drawing from the story of Esther, we celebrate the strength of women and the incredible support of the Jewish community. Wishing you a very happy Purim from all of us at Sharsheret!

Only A Few NYC Triathlon Slots Left!

2011-03-01T17:15:00.002-05:00

"Race Day was truly amazing! Training and racing with Team Sharsheret took me on a life changing journey. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

- 2010 Team Sharsheret Athlete

Looking to compete in an elite Triathlon event this Summer? Team Sharsheret only has a few slots left for the 2011 Nautica NYC Triathlon on August 7! APPLY NOW by sending an e-mail to athletes@sharsheret.org with your name, your phone number, and a brief description of who you are and why you want to join Team Sharsheret.

We:
· Provide a coveted slot in the now sold-out Triathlon, race registration, and related fees
· Dress you in official Triathlon gear
· Offer bike training in New York's Central Park and Northern New Jersey, as available
· Can arm you with online running, swim, and bike training routines
· Surround you with athletes who will motivate and inspire you to reach the finish line in support of this important cause

You:
· Agree to raise a minimum of $5,000 for Team Sharsheret to support our national programs (We make it easy, with personalized pledge pages on Sharsheret's website!)
· Notify friends and family of your participation in this year's Triathlon
· Have the competitive experience of a lifetime

For more information and to apply now, please e-mail athletes@sharsheret.org with your name, your phone number, and a brief description of who you are and why you want to join Team Sharsheret.

Please feel free to share this with a friend.

See you at the finish line!

Celebrate Purim With Sharsheret!

2011-02-14T11:14:00.002-05:00

Celebrate this joyous holiday with Sharsheret Purim Cards! Our festive Purim Cards are a wonderful way to send best wishes to your family and friends, both near and far. Sharsheret Purim Cards come in packages of 12 for a contribution of $36, with an additional charge for shipping and handling, or you can pick them up at our Teaneck office. To order online, click here. Sharsheret Purim Cards are also available for purchase at The Judaica House, 478 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ.

Join in our 10th Anniversary National Campaign and tell 10 friends to purchase Sharsheret Purim Cards. Share this blog post with 10 friends now!

How Do You Wear Pink?

2011-02-08T13:04:00.011-05:00

Our staff celebrates Pink Day! Top (l to r):
Ellen, Rochelle, Elana, Julie, and Sari.
Bottom (l to r): Rebecca, Shera, and Adina.

By: Tzvi Solomon, Sharsheret Volunteer

Tomorrow, thousands of “soldiers” from 68 schools across the globe will march together. Our army has soldiers stationed in high schools, day schools, college campuses, yeshivot, and seminaries. We like to call ourselves pink soldiers. We are an army that is ready to make a difference. We are an army that is here to show Jewish women and families affected by breast cancer that we stand by them. Our soldiers understand that when one person is hurting, we are all hurting. People may look at us and think that we serve as their hope and inspiration. However, those affected by breast cancer are our hope and inspiration. They inspire us to never give up the fight, to always keep going, and of course, to unite together in the battle against breast cancer. Join us for Sharsheret’s 2nd Annual Pink Day Worldwide and wear pink tomorrow - to school, work, around the house, or at the gym. Join our army of pink soldiers and show your support for Jewish women and families facing breast cancer.

Join Sharsheret's 2nd Annual Pink Day Worldwide tomorrow, Wednesday, February 9th!

Sharsheret's Pink Day Worldwide, launched last year by students on high school and college campuses across the globe, empowers students to educate their peers about breast cancer in the Jewish community and Sharsheret's national programs.

3 easy ways you can join Sharsheret's Pink Day Worldwide:

1. Rally your co-workers, family members, and friends - Ask them to wear pink tomorrow, take a "pink" group photo, collect $5 from each participant, and donate to Sharsheret.

2. Become a Sharsheret Facebook Fan - Change your status to: "February 9th is Sharsheret's 2nd Annual Pink Day Worldwide. Do you have your Pink on? Post this status in honor of Jewish women facing breast cancer." If you took a Pink Day photo, upload it to our page!

3. Donate online - Make your Pink Day donation online at www.sharsheret.org/payonline.php and choose Pink Day 2011 in the drop down menu.

For more information, contact Sharsheret's Program Manager and Campus Liaison Ellen Kleinhaus at ekleinhaus@sharsheret.org.

Save The Date: 10th Anniversary Benefit

2011-01-20T13:39:00.001-05:00

Naomi Kanovsky

Marcie Cappell

Join us at Sharsheret's 10th Anniversary Benefit, Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the Marriott at Glenpointe in Teaneck, New Jersey, featuring renowned singer and songwriter Neshama Carlebach. We will recognize the valuable contributions of Guest of Honor Naomi Kanovsky (Englewood, NJ) and Lisa Altman Volunteer Tribute Award recipient Marcie Cappell (NYC). The 10th Anniversary Benefit will also feature "Sharsheret, Changing the Face of Breast Cancer," a photo exhibit by acclaimed photographer Gail Hadani and a silent auction with valuable items including electronics, jewelry, Judaica, sports memorabilia, and gift certificates.

For more information about the 10th Anniversary Benefit and sponsorship opportunities, please e-mail events@sharsheret.org.

Sharsheret Teleconference Explored Prophylactic Surgery for Breast and Ovarian Cancer

2011-01-11T12:28:00.001-05:00

You can now listen to an audio recording of Sharsheret’s national teleconference, Prophylactic Surgery for Breast and Ovarian Cancer: How Will it Affect Me?, recorded on December 22, 2010. The teleconference featured acclaimed author Dina Roth Port (Previvors: Facing the Breast Cancer Gene and Making Life Changing Decisions), personal stories about the impact of prophylactic surgery on personal and family life shared by Sharsheret Peer Supporters, and Sharsheret’s Clinical Supervisor, Shera Dubitsky, MEd, MA, who discussed the psychosocial and physical side effects of prophylactic surgery for breast and ovarian cancer.

The teleconference was made possible with generous support from The Gorlin Family Foundation, Julius and Emmy Hamburger Memorial Fund, and Stephanie Sussman and Ann Nadrich Memorial Fund.

Listen to Sharsheret’s National Teleconference, Prophylactic Surgery for Breast and Ovarian Cancer: How Will it Affect Me?, share your comments, and read comments posted by other listeners.

How Continued Surveillance Saved My Life

2011-01-04T13:08:00.000-05:00

By: Sally Cotlar, Sharsheret Peer Supporter

I had just turned 6 when my mother died of breast cancer at the age of 35. Breast cancer has always been part of my universe. I even had my first mammogram when I was only 23 years-old. It wasn't until many years later that I found out that I was also at risk for ovarian cancer.

After doing some family research and learning that my maternal great-grandmother died of breast cancer at the age of 51, I decided to undergo genetic testing. I tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation. Although I was disappointed with the result, I wasn’t surprised because my mother was so young when she had cancer, but my geneticist thought I would be negative. When I asked her why, she said, "because you have not had cancer yet”. Over the next weeks and months, the impact of learning that I carried the mutation increasingly weighed heavily on me. I was concerned about my future as well as those of my three children, who each have a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation. Over the years I have learned to accept the possibilities and I try to be as proactive as possible.

I had a prophylactic oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) and removal of my fallopian tubes. I was happy to not have to worry about developing ovarian cancer. Two years later, I was feeling great and decided that it was time to have a prophylactic mastectomy. I really wasn't looking forward to the surgery, but thought I would be relieved to not have to worry about breast cancer as well. During my pre-operative physical, my doctor found a large, hard lymph node in my inguinal canal (the crease between the leg and hip). It was diagnosed as primary peritoneal cancer, which is essentially ovarian cancer. I couldn’t believe I had cancer because I felt so good and had what I thought would be preventative surgery. Unfortunately, prophylactic oophorectomies don't prevent ovarian cancer 100% of the time because the lining of the peritoneal cavity, where the ovaries sit, is similar to the lining of the ovaries.

I have been in remission since 2003 and I have never had breast cancer or a mastectomy, although I am again considering the mastectomy. What I've learned from having cancer is that it is life-changing. It’s as if you have entered into another world, a world filled with new terms, doctors, tests, scans, and often, surgery and chemotherapy. On a positive note, there is also a new community you have become part of. I have met so many wonderful people who have enriched my life and made me a stronger and better person. Joining Sharsheret and speaking with a Peer Supporter can help unravel the mysteries involved with ovarian cancer. I look forward to serving as a Sharsheret Peer Supporter and speaking with those touched by ovarian cancer so that I can share the hope and knowledge that I was blessed to receive during my cancer journey.

Breast Cancer with a Twist

2010-12-20T11:08:00.001-05:00

By: H. Z. Ben-Nahum, Sharsheret Volunteer

Over 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was in my late 40’s, athletic, and health-conscious. The day it all began will be imprinted on my mind forever. I was enjoying a game of tennis, when the ball hit my nipple. I noticed that my nipple had swollen and had not returned to normal even after several days. Concerned, I decided to consult a doctor. I was advised to schedule surgery as soon as possible. I underwent a radical mastectomy, followed by treatment. Genetic testing wasn’t on my radar screen as Myriad Labs only discovered how to test for the BRCA gene five years after my initial diagnosis. I now have two adult children. My daughter recently approached me requesting that I undergo genetic testing because she was worried about her own risk of developing breast cancer. I obliged and am grateful that I tested BRCA-. For now, they will continue to have increased surveillance. I am living with metastatic breast cancer to the lungs, I’m experiencing side effects from treatment, but I stay active and busy. I still worry about my children and their risk of developing cancer, just like all mothers diagnosed with breast cancer. The only thing that makes me different is that I AM THEIR FATHER. I am lending my voice to raise awareness that breast cancer can be passed along from father to daughter. We must continue to protect our futures and those of our children by remembering to include the paternal family history when considering our children’s genetic risk of developing breast cancer. I hope that by sharing my story with Sharsheret, we can save lives.

Watch Rochelle Shoretz Live from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

2010-12-13T11:42:00.008-05:00

An Interview with Rochelle Shoretz: Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer

2010-12-13T11:34:00.003-05:00

Taking Time in San Antonio

2010-12-11T23:21:00.003-05:00

By: Rochelle Shoretz, Sharsheret Founder and Executive Director

I have spent the last four days attending the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, an annual conference at which clinicians, research scientists and advocates gather to share the most recent research on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. At this year's conference we learned about international clinical trials exploring treatments for triple negative breast cancer beyond trastuzumab. We learned about a trial exploring the use of zoledronic acid in women with earlier stage breast cancer. And we learned about trials exploring treatments beyond aromatase inhibitors.

But what does this really mean for all of us, the women and families of Sharsheret? One of my takeaways from this year's conference is that personalized medicine, the ability to tailor treatment based on the particular characteristics of one's cancer cells, is at the core of emerging research. Therefore, it is critical that we understand the biomarkers of our particular cancers. Are the cells Her2 positive or negative? Estrogen receptor positive or negative? Progesterone receptor positive or negative? We must take the time to understand - not just read and not just file - but understand our pathology reports. These reports, and the information they contain, will help us work with our health care team to craft our personal treatment plans. And we'll need this information in the years ahead as new tailored treatments emerge.

As younger women, we are often in a rush. We want to get cancer over with, get back to our families and careers, get treatment started so that it can end. We sometimes rush through the understanding that can only come with questions, questions that we may be too afraid or too rushed to ask.

I had four days to ask questions, and it was empowering. Although I was diagnosed almost ten years ago, I found myself considering new questions, making notes of discussions I would like to have with my oncologist. It's not too late for me, or for any of us, to ask the difficult questions and to take the time to understand.

Live From the 33rd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: Obesity and Breast Cancer

2010-12-10T13:42:00.002-05:00

By: Rochelle Shoretz, Sharsheret Founder and Executive Director

As Sharsheret staff members travel around the country, we are constantly asked, “What more can we do to help ourselves?” Now we have clinical data suggesting that obesity at diagnosis is associated with inferior outcomes in some breast cancers. The implication of this study is critical to the Jewish community where food is central to our collective cultural experiences. On the heels of Chanukah, where we celebrate with deliciously unhealthy foods such as potato pancakes and jelly donuts, we need to raise our awareness as to the impact our diets may have on our health. Click here to read the new emerging research from the 33rd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. We suspect you may have thoughts about this topic. Post your comments below to continue this important conversation.

A Special Chanukah Gift

2010-12-08T13:27:00.001-05:00

By: Rochelle Shoretz, Founder, Executive Director

Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking in Philly before a group of 75 women of all walks of Jewish life. I met some of our Peer Supporters and Callers from the area (we have 41), and recruited 10 new women to join our national Peer Support Network. The woman who introduced me was one of our very first Sharsheret Callers, who has been a Peer Supporter for almost 8 years now, and who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time. As we all watched Sharsheret’s promotional Race DVD, filmed in 2004, it was incredible to see how much the organization has grown – how many more lives we’ve touched, how many lives we have lost, how much of an impact we have made. I took the last train out of Philly at 11 p.m., tired but satisfied after a day of meetings at Philly Federation and the Parlor Meeting late at night.

On the ride home, I peeled open the envelopes that so many had given with contributions in support of our work. There, on the top of the pile, was a first time gift of $5,000 from a woman who was moved by our mission.

And I’m sure you’re thinking that, indeed, we received a very special Chanukah gift last week.

But the truth is, the real Chanukah gift came in the form of the introduction we received from that original Caller. She described Sharsheret as a Shamash, a servant of good in the world, providing light to those who need it at the darkest hour.

Thank you all for giving us a true gift – the opportunity to shine light for so many. We are so grateful for all of the support that makes that light possible.

Looking forward to celebrating many more holidays together, in health.

A Chanukah Miracle

2010-12-01T11:16:00.000-05:00

By: Shera Dubitsky, MEd, MA, Sharsheret Clinical Supervisor

Chanukah celebrates the miraculous victory and survival of the Jewish people. In our history, we see that miracles often follow times of despair and hopelessness, testing our very core as individuals and as a community. In Hebrew, the word for test is nisayon. Within this word we find nes, miracle. This suggests to me that both of these phenomena have the potential to be experienced in tandem.

When a woman, her family, her community are touched by cancer, we desperately seek miracles. We hope and pray for these miracles to be as grand as the parting of the Red Sea. Do miracles of this grandeur still happen? Will the cure become an absolute outcome for all women diagnosed with cancer? The answer remains unknown today, but it may reveal itself tomorrow. This is the power of hope.

In the meantime, I revel in the small, beautiful wonders I have witnessed at Sharsheret. Sharsheret began as a conversation between two young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, that conversation includes thousands of Jewish women, families, and communities across the country. I have seen the power of emotional and spiritual healing through strength of character, generosity of spirit, kindness, and humor.

A diagnosis of cancer can begin in darkness. But I have seen the brilliance of light shine in the resiliency of the human spirit. As I light my candles this Chanukah, I will remember that although the holiday begins with the faint light of one candle, slowly, candle by candle, day by day, the illumination of light becomes powerful. In our history, the word cancer was taboo and whispered only in darkness. Sharsheret has shed light on this important issue and brought hope to the Jewish community. I believe that this is our victory, our miracle.

Tell Us Why You’re Thankful

2010-11-23T11:40:00.004-05:00

This Thanksgiving Sharsheret is thankful for YOU - our incredible volunteers and supporters and the inspiring women, families, and communities we are privileged to serve.

Help us spread the spirit of gratitude this week. Post your message of thanks by adding your comments below or on our Facebook page and inspire women and families facing breast and ovarian cancer nationwide. We can't wait to hear from you!

Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from Sharsheret's Staff and Board of Directors.

Watch an Exclusive NY-1 Interview with Rochelle Shoretz About Her Appointment to the CDC Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women

2010-11-15T12:10:00.001-05:00

From an Ordinary School Day to a Life-Changing Experience

2010-11-15T11:05:00.001-05:00

By: Jamie Rashty, Sharsheret Student Volunteer

As a fifteen year-old teenage girl I never really thought about breast cancer as a disease that affects thousands of women all over the world every day. I never considered breast cancer at all until October 28th, 2010. That day, Akiva Hebrew Day School initiated “Pink Day”, a day dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness. I don’t think I have ever seen so much pink in my entire life! From the school itself covered in pink streamers, balloons, and posters, to the entire Akiva administration, high school, and middle school student bodies dressed head to toe in pink clothing, we were impossible to miss! The day started off with a special prayer for women who are currently living with breast cancer. Following prayer that morning, we attended a fun breakfast of pink bagels, pink cupcakes, pink candies, pink tableware, everywhere I turned all I saw was pink!

Later that day we watched a Sharsheret video presentation, which helped us to fully understand the incredible programming and assistance Sharsheret offers to women and families facing breast cancer across the country. Everyone was truly touched by the amount of work put into Sharsheret and every good deed they do for women and their families. Following the video, the entire Akiva high school, middle school, faculty members, and even parents took a mile-long walk for the cause. As both the Israeli and American flags blew in the wind amidst the group of young, pink-covered teenagers taking a stand, feelings of pride and importance were vibrant throughout the community. The walk brought the Akiva community together in fighting for a cause that would forever be close to our hearts since that day.

After returning from the walk, the boys and girls were divided into two special programs. While the boys learned about cancer and its effect on men, the girls participated in an exhilarating “Jazzercise” program, promoting the idea of remaining healthy through exercise. We all felt strong and self-motivated after completing such a hearty workout run by two-time breast cancer survivor, Jane McNamara. As I loaded up my backpack to go home, I felt empowered by the entire program. I was inspired not only by Sharsheret, but by what I now know I can do as a young teenager in order to take a stand on the issue and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

Good Luck on Sunday!

2010-11-05T09:14:00.001-04:00

Dear Aharon, Brad, David, Ilana, Mark, Oliver, Scott, Shari, Tobi and Tyler,

You are helping us make Sharsheret history. Our first ever marathon team – all of you – will take to the streets as Team Sharsheret on Sunday. We have been cheering you on as you have raised more than $50,000 in support of Sharsheret’s 10 national programs. And our cheers have been joined by the chorus of hundreds of new friends that you have introduced to our important work.

As you prepare for race day, let us say thank you, again. Thank you for the months you have spent training on Sharsheret’s behalf. Thank you for the funds that will help us save and better thousands of lives affected by breast and ovarian cancer nationwide. And thank you for helping us grow our Sharsheret, our chain, of families engaged in Sharsheret’s work.

On Sunday, as you race to the finish line, please know that you are racing for all of us fighting breast and ovarian cancer. We are so thankful for your energy, your passion, and your dedication to Sharsheret.

With deep gratitude on behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of Sharsheret,

Rochelle

Aharon Novack

Brad Somer

David Cooper

Ilana Picker

Mark Segall

Oliver Davies

Rabbi Scott Hoffman

Shari Slepian

Tobi Jasper Rousso

Tyler Wilson

A Growing Voice for Jews Facing Serious Illness

2010-11-04T11:07:00.002-04:00

By: Rochelle Shoretz, Sharsheret Founder and Executive Director

I was saddened to read in The Jewish Week a first person account of one anonymous woman's struggle to live with serious illness and date in the Orthodox community. As the Founder and Executive Director of Sharsheret, a national organization supporting women and families of all Jewish backgrounds facing breast cancer, I have heard too often the concerns of mothers and daughters that knowledge of disease in their family may affect the ability of family members to marry.

Unfortunately, stereotypes of those living with illness and related concerns about dating and relationships affect persons of all religious affiliations. Whether Reform, Conservative or Chasidic, young men and women facing serious illness struggle with how much to tell a prospective partner, and when. The fear of being defined by one's disease is not an Orthodox-only issue.

We are making progress. In the ten years since Sharsheret's founding, I have witnessed a noteworthy change in the community's willingness to discuss disease openly. We have engaged thousands of men and women in candid conversations about breast and ovarian cancer, topics that, in years past, had been shrouded in secrecy. Words like "breast cancer", once taboo and merely whispered, have become the public subject of Rabbi's sermons, Jewish community center events, and synagogue study groups. Organizations like Sharsheret have generated life-saving conversations by giving a voice to those facing serious illness.

As a single woman living with a chronic illness, I signed my name to a letter to the editor with the hope for continued progress - a growing voice for those who believe that love and companionship can follow even the most frightening diagnosis.

From the Beginning

2010-10-25T14:30:00.000-04:00

By: Reva Borgen, Sharsheret Peer Supporter

After getting the dreaded diagnosis of breast cancer, "luck" was not part of my vocabulary. That all changed when I sat down at my computer in the middle of the night and sent a desperate message to a fledgling organization that was aimed at helping young Jewish women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. I had no idea who was going to read my e-mail or who was going to respond. All I knew was that I was terrified and that I needed someone to talk to. The voice on the other end belonged to Sharsheret’s Founder Rochelle Shoretz. She told me about herself and the organization she started to help women like me. I was quickly connected with a Link, a Peer Supporter, a woman with the same diagnosis as mine. My Link calmly told me about her surgery and subsequent treatments. I was speaking to someone who had survived the nightmare that I was living. This conversation helped me to keep my fears in check as I confidently underwent my surgical procedure, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments.

Shortly after completing my treatment, Rochelle asked if I would participate in a CBS News segment in honor of Sharsheret’s 1-year anniversary. How exciting! Eight women celebrated not just the first anniversary of Sharsheret, but also feelings of unity, triumph, and admiration for one other. I will never forget when Rochelle shared a remarkable story about how Sharsheret was able to connect two Rebbetzins on opposite sides of the country - two women with similar diagnoses, both involved in their communities, who were able to provide support to one another. We were all amazed at the amount of phone calls that were coming in from all over the country and even a few from different countries.

When Rochelle asked me to become a Peer Supporter, I felt extremely grateful because I was finally in a position to give strength to someone else. What she didn't know was how much strength I gained by helping other women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. At the time of my diagnosis, I had four children ranging in age from nursery school to high school. I was able to speak to women who had children similar ages to mine. “How did you tell them? What did you tell them? How much information is appropriate for my son/daughter?” These are the most common questions that I have been asked. I would like to think that when I say the words “You're going to be okay and your kids will be too,” the women with whom I speak can exhale and believe that it is possible.

It’s amazing how much Sharsheret has grown over the last ten years. Instead of eight women, there are over 1,000 women in Sharsheret’s Peer Support Network, providing and receiving vital support during a difficult time in our lives. Sharsheret fills this need with the greatest of care, love, and compassion. I feel truly blessed and very lucky to be a part of this incredible organization.

I've Never Been So Elated To Be Negative!

2010-10-20T13:52:00.002-04:00

By: Jennifer Coleman, Sharsheret Peer Supporter

Today I received some of the best, most relieving news of my life: I tested negative for the breast cancer gene!

After losing my mother to breast cancer when she was 47, and I was 15, I asked every OBGYN I saw, at different ages of my life, and in the various states I lived in, if I should be tested for BRCA. To my surprise, all of them said, “No.”

Not long after I married my husband, Jon, in 2008, I read a beautiful breast cancer memoir, Pretty is What Changes, by Jessica Queller. As I read the book, I decided the OBGYNs were wrong: I absolutely should be tested. Jon and I met with a genetic counselor, but realized we weren’t yet ready to go through with the test, which would yield potentially life-altering results.

Two years later, I consulted my mom’s oncologist, who conveniently is a close cousin. He strongly agreed I should be tested. When I went for my annual OBGYN appointment in June, my doctor set up the test, despite her obvious belief that it was unnecessary. Although the test was scheduled for August, I told my dad and friends that it would be in the fall, in case I tested positive and needed time to process the information alone first.

When I woke with a major bout of anxiety on the day of the test, I quickly called my dad, who was my rock and fellow soldier during my mom’s breast cancer battle two decades earlier. He calmed me down with fatherly facts about breast cancer genetics, as well as kindness and support. He expressed that he had a strong feeling, beyond just a hope, that my results would be negative, which is exactly what Jon and I felt.

That afternoon, I paced up and down the waiting room at the breast center for 45 minutes, which felt like 45 days. Finally, I proceeded to an exam room where a nurse recorded my family history. I was given two small cups of mouthwash and swished each for 30 seconds, then spit into a vial to give a DNA sample. I left the breast center with, if not a fresh attitude, then at least a fresh mouth! They said I’d receive a call with the results in two to three weeks. I told Jon and my dad that the results would come in six weeks - for this high-anxiety waiting game, I wanted no pressure.

The good news came less than a week later. I sobbed happily while the nurse told me I should begin yearly mammograms at 34 (I already began at 30, per my cousin’s advice) and continue self-exams and regular OBGYN visits.

Caring for and helping others is one of my greatest pleasures. Serving as a Sharsheret Peer Supporter will allow me to support women who, like me, have scary but valid genetic-based questions regarding their chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

Ask Your DNA

2010-09-22T12:36:00.001-04:00

By: Lisa Friedman, Ph.D., Sharsheret Peer Supporter

I recently attended the annual conference for FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), the national organization for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. I was so happy to see Sharsheret’s exhibit booth there, because I realize what an important issue genetic cancer is for the Jewish community - and how so few women and men know that they are at risk. Sharsheret was a great help to me when I first needed to understand what it meant for me, as a Jewish woman, to be BRCA positive. I found information I urgently needed from Sharsheret's resources and website.

This is the information I wish I had known earlier in my own life: 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jews carries a BRCA mutation that leads to extraordinarily high rates of genetic cancer in women. Women who carry a mutation have up to an 87% lifetime risk of breast cancer, and a 27% - 44% risk of ovarian cancer, depending on which kind of mutation they carry. BRCA mutations can lead to increased risk of cancers affecting men as well, such as prostate or pancreatic cancers, male breast cancer, and melanoma.

If women know about their risk ahead of time, they can choose from a wide range of options to help them find their cancer early or even to prevent it altogether. While recent research estimates that one million people in the U.S. carry high-risk BRCA mutations, only 5% of them know. I was one of those 95% who didn’t know, and I learned the hard way about the difference between knowing and not knowing.

I remember seeing articles about the BRCA gene in women’s magazines, but I always skipped right over them. My grandmothers had each lived long, healthy lives well into their eighties, and I never knew to look to my grandfathers’ sides of the family. I also never knew that the ovarian and pancreatic cancer in my family could be BRCA-related. Breast cancer seemed so separate — I never thought about it as genetically interlinked with other cancers. My doctors didn’t seem to know either. I have the classic family history that indicates testing is important: I am Ashkenazi Jewish, my mom died of ovarian cancer, and her father died of pancreatic cancer. Yet, not a single doctor ever suggested I check my DNA.

I ran into information on genetics by chance, as part of a research project on the future of healthcare. I was looking over a website for my project, when I noticed that it offered genetic testing that could help Ashkenazi Jews check for their risk of ovarian cancer. After talking with their genetic counselor, I signed up for a test.

I was shocked to discover I tested positive for one of the three BRCA mutations so common for Ashkenazi Jews. Once I learned I was at high risk, I had more extensive screening for cancer that I never would have had otherwise. After a completely normal mammogram, my MRI showed I already had breast cancer. I never would have had this MRI if my genes hadn’t provided advance warning about my risk. Learning my DNA potentially saved my life.

The Triumphant Call of the Shofar

2010-09-03T09:39:00.002-04:00

By: Shera Dubitsky, Clinical Supervisor

Beginning in the Hebrew month of Elul until Yom Kippur, we hear the piercing notes of the Shofar and listen intently to its sounds. The reverberations of the Shofar can be heard in times of battle. I liken the sound to a heart beat. Most of the time, our hearts beat with a steady rhythm. We go about our regular routines, taking care of our families, meeting deadlines at work, volunteering in the community, spending time with friends. Tekiah. There are times when we are challenged, perhaps with a knowledge that one is a carrier of the BRCA mutation, or that one has been diagnosed with cancer or a recurrence. The rhythm of our hearts change reflecting our anxiety, our fears. Shevarim. Deep within the battle, our heart beat quickens as our anxiety heightens, and our fears overwhelm us. Teruah.

We don’t hear these sounds once. We hear the cycle of the Shofar notes throughout the holiday season, alternating between the steady calm notes of Tekiah to the quickened sounds of Teruah. So too, with the rhythm and challenges of our lives. When faced with difficult news, remember that with each Shevarim and Teruah, we return to the calmness of the single sound of Tekiah.

The Shofar can be a wake up call to stop and take time for introspection. As we listen to the notes of the Shofar, we can become aware of the changes of our beating heart. It is a reminder to attend to our bodies, to our instincts, to our emotions. The sounding of the Shofar can help us refocus and make sure that we are taking care of our hearts, minds, and souls. When we pay attention to the inner and outer sounds, we hear the last blast of the Shofar, a signal of hope and triumph. Tekiah Gedolah.

Shana Tova,

Shera

Vote for Rochelle Shoretz as your Jewish Community Hero!

2010-08-19T15:22:00.001-04:00

Rochelle Shoretz
Teaneck, New Jersey

How is your Hero working to make the world a better place?

A self starting figure at the helm of Sharsheret, a national breast cancer organization, Rochelle is a Jewish Hero to the thousands of young Jewish women and families facing breast cancer today and to the Jewish community. Through her own breast cancer diagnosis, at the young age of 28, Rochelle saw a critical unmet need for support and resources for young women and families, of all Jewish backgrounds, facing this disease. Rochelle's commitment to filling this void has developed into a virtual lifeline for thousands of Jewish women and families facing illness who are coming face to face with isolation, fear, and their own mortality. The foundation for Sharsheret, Hebrew for "chain" or "connections", is built upon Rochelle's tremendous drive to serve the entire Jewish people, her determination to eradicate the stigma surrounding breast cancer so common in the Jewish community, and her understanding that bringing people together with similar life experiences is vital to the healing process.

How has your Hero impacted your life and inspired you?

I heard Rochelle speak soon after she founded Sharsheret following her first breast cancer diagnosis. Compelled to join her on her mission, I joined Sharsheret as a volunteer. I was so inspired by Rochelle's boundless energy, incredible intelligence, and deep commitment to the Jewish community that I chose to further my own career as a staff member at Sharsheret. I continue to be inspired every day as I work closely with Rochelle, who selflessly dedicates her life to thousands of others facing breast cancer as she fights her own battle, living with Stage 4 breast cancer.

To vote for Rochelle click here.

Ovarian Health 101 National Teleconference

2010-08-18T10:48:00.000-04:00

Register Today With Team Sharsheret NYC!

2010-08-12T11:29:00.002-04:00

Register with Team Sharsheret today and join thousands of women and men gathering in New York City's Central Park to participate in the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure, a monumental breast cancer fundraising and awareness event to be held on Sunday, September 12, 2010*, 8:30 a.m. To join Team Sharsheret now, please register online at http://www.komennyc.org/, click on "Race For The Cure" click on "Join a Race Team," and type Sharsheret.

To purchase Team Sharsheret T-shirts and Tank Tops, please click here or call (866) 474-2774.

To sponsor Team Sharsheret today and feature your company on our Race T-shirts, please e-mail events@sharsheret.org or call (866) 474-2774. Deadline for Team Sponsorship is this Friday, August 13th.

*Fast of Gedaliah - All participants, walkers, and volunteers welcome.

Early Detection is Still the Best Way to Fight Breast Cancer

2010-08-11T10:51:00.003-04:00

By: Lisa Weinstock, M.D., Sharsheret Volunteer

This year’s Sharsheret Benefit was a great tribute to the women (and the fabulous male speaker) who have faced cancer in battle – and survived. The support Sharsheret gives to women going through the difficult emotional and physical challenges of cancer treatment is priceless. I heard more than one woman talk about how much it meant to come home from the hospital to find Sharsheret’s Pillow of Support waiting to provide comfort. But I was even more heartened to hear Sharsheret encourage women to be vigilant in keeping their screening appointments. Early detection is still the best weapon in the war on cancer. But not all mammograms are created equal – and early detection often requires more than an annual mammogram.

We are all ready to bolt when the mammogram technician takes a few views and sends us on our way. But we do so at our peril. It is critical that more than the standard four views are taken and that they are read by a specialist in breast imaging who knows what to look for.

If you have been told you have dense breast tissue, additional testing is a must. In 2009, Connecticut passed a law that radiologists must tell patients when they have dense breast tissue and recommend an ultrasound. Here’s the reason: small tumors are visible as white spots on mammograms and can be obscured by dense tissue that also shows up white. On an ultrasound, the tissue images are gray so any area of white stands out. I know several women who had cancers diagnosed from an ultrasound that were hidden on mammograms. Additional tests such as MRI or molecular breast imaging are even more sensitive and can show tumors other tests miss. My patients hear me say that finding breast cancer is like a puzzle and each screening method helps put the pieces together.

So, when your radiologist recommends more than the standard views of an annual mammogram, and additional screening beyond your mammogram, don’t ignore the advice. We are not trying to make your life more difficult. We are trying to save it.

DISCLAIMER

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE BLOG ARE THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL USERS AND NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS OF SHARSHERET. ALTHOUGH SHARSHERET WILL BE MODERATING ALL MESSAGES POSTED TO THE BLOG, WE DO NOT CONFIRM OR WARRANT THE USEFULNESS, ACCURACY, OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY MESSAGES AND ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS RELATED TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION. SHARSHERET DOES NOT MAKE ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO INFORMATION OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WARRANTIES OF TITLE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR A THIRD PARTY FOR ANY ACTION, OR FAILURE TO ACT BASED ON RELIANCE ON THE CONTENT POSTED ON THE BLOG. ALL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

Sharsheret Voted AEPi National Philanthropy!

2010-08-09T15:28:00.006-04:00

By: Ellen Kleinhaus, Project Manager and Campus Liaison

I had the privilege of spending this past weekend with Sharsheret’s Founder and Executive Director Rochelle Shoretz at the Alpha Epsilon Pi International Convention in New Orleans.

“As a young woman, I likely fantasized about talking about breasts in a room of 450 men, but I never imagined it would be in this context,” were Rochelle’s opening words as she presented "Sharsheret On Your Campus" to an audience of more than 400 AEPi brothers. She began the presentation surrounded by laughter and finished with a roaring standing ovation. At that moment we knew that together, AEPi and Sharsheret would “Change the Face of Breast Cancer”.

Thank you to AEPi for choosing Sharsheret as one of your national philanthropies and to all the AEPi brothers from across the country who introduced themselves to us and made us feel so welcome. We truly value the knowledge you shared with us over the weekend - your insight into life on campus, the multitude of funny stories, detailed advice about our presentation, and innovative suggestions for campus events. We were most overwhelmed by YOUR gratitude to us for bringing Sharsheret into your lives. We were touched by how many of you thanked us for letting you know that you have a place to send your sisters, mothers, and grandmothers diagnosed with breast cancer for support.

Special thanks to Andy Borans, Adam Teitlebaum, Michael Waitz, Sam Zitin, and the AEPi Philanthropy Task Force for making this partnership possible. Your encouragement and support is so meaningful and we are grateful for our new partnership and our many new friends. We look forward to growing our Sharsheret on Campus program and working with all of our campus partners - AEPhi Sorority, AEPi Fraternity, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, and Chabad on Campus International Foundation - in the years ahead.

Tracing my Family History Destroyed by the Holocaust

2010-08-02T14:27:00.001-04:00

By: Rose Brystowski, Sharsheret Peer Supporter

Everyone has fantasies. I fantasize about long-lost relatives. We are reunited, living close, and sharing happy lives together. Unfortunately, fantasies are just that - dreams. It is hard enough living with only memories and tales. No grandparents, very few aunts and uncles, no cousins. But even worse than that is having no family history.

When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, one of the first questions her medical team asked was did she have a family history of breast cancer? What do we say when we have no family history at all? We have a few facts and a lot of maybe’s. Maybe if our ancestors hadn’t died during the Holocaust they would have had cancer. Maybe if they were not exterminated they would have lived long lives.

When I went for my genetic counseling appointment, the genetic counselor gave me a large chart to help trace my family history and identify known BRCA gene carriers and breast cancer survivors. My chart was basically empty. We don't have a past. Many people feel the anger all over again, how we suffer even now 60 years after the Holocaust ended. I try to move forward and I don't linger with the absence of history. I feel that I must do something now, for my children, for my husband. Although I don't have a history of breast cancer with my known family, my children do. They know I am BRCA positive, they know I have options and medical support, they know that when presented with an obstacle we must face it and overcome it. History doesn't change the now or the future.

When faced with a major life-changing event we often want to share the news, whether it’s good news or bad. My sister's diagnosis in October of 2008 was such an event. But not everyone wants to share this news. In addition, not everyone “gets it”. They don't know the shock and fear we go through when presented with such a challenge. I began talking to friends who either had a relative dealing with breast cancer or were survivors themselves. While watching our sons playing basketball, we talked about Sharsheret. When I received the news that I was BRCA positive I contacted Sharsheret and was linked to another woman who had faced the same news. She gave me insight and information, but most importantly, she calmed me and I am so grateful for that. Now that I am finishing my reconstruction, I want to help others and provide them with basic information, including what to expect after surgery, how it affects your relationships, and how to deal with it all with humor and a sense of balance. I tell people we are now part of a small and exclusive group and we must help each other.

Sharsheret Teleconference and Webinar Explored the Connection Between the Holocaust and Breast Cancer

2010-07-28T10:58:00.002-04:00

Sharsheret's national teleconference and webinar, The Impact of the Holocaust on Breast Cancer in Jewish Families Today, recorded on July 14, 2010, featured Lital Keinan-Boker, MD, PhD, MPH, Faculty Member of the Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Studies, University of Haifa, Rifky Atkin, Sharsheret Link and Child of Holocaust Survivors, and Niecee Schonberger, MS, CGC, Genetics Program Coordinator, Sharsheret. The panelists addressed the research study demonstrating a higher incidence of breast cancer among Jews living in Europe during the Holocaust, challenges of tracing family cancer histories destroyed during the Holocaust, and concerns of Jewish women and families considering genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer.

Listen to Sharsheret’s National Teleconference and Webinar, The Impact of the Holocaust on Breast Cancer in Jewish Families Today.

To download a written transcript, please click here.

Watch an exclusive interview with Rochelle Shoretz on New Jersey People with Steve Adubato!

2010-07-22T10:52:00.000-04:00

Rochelle Shoretz, Founder and Executive Director of Sharsheret

Good Luck Team Sharsheret!

2010-07-16T15:29:00.014-04:00

Dear Linda, Chani, Gila, Cheryl, Joe and Moe,

Less than a year ago, Moe Rice and I began discussing the ways in which Sharsheret could generate awareness about our 10 national programs. His big beef with me – and rightly so – was that more people needed to know about all that we are doing for thousands of families nationwide. By combining his passion for racing with his dedication to the cause of breast cancer, Moe committed to spearheading Team Sharsheret. Working with Scott Berlinger at Full Throttle and Ellen Kleinhaus of Sharsheret’s staff, we began pulling together materials, designing a Team that would raise not only critical funds for the organization, but incredible awareness about all of the good that those funds were generating for young women and families facing breast cancer.

You are less than 48 hours away from helping us turn our vision to reality. Team Sharsheret – all of you – has raised almost $50,000 and brought more than 200 new families into our circle. I can only imagine how many lives will be saved, and how many more will be bettered, because of all that you have done.

On Sunday, when you hit the water, hop on your bike, and cross the finish line, please know that you are racing for all of us fighting breast cancer. We are so thankful for your energy, your passion, and your dedication to Sharsheret.

Looking forward to celebrating with all of you!

With deep gratitude on behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of Sharsheret,

Rochelle Shoretz
Executive Director

Linda Gerstel

Cheryl Lasher

Gila Leiter

Chani Tiegman

Joseph Lerner

Facing breast cancer at 36…now what?

2010-06-29T13:34:00.002-04:00

By: Pamela Wolfe, Sharsheret Peer Supporter

Every day for the past two and a half years, breast cancer has been a part of my life. It is a subject I live and breathe, and on any occasion, I’ll gladly try to educate others or answer questions. It is a subject I feel very knowledgeable about since I took the crash course, “So you are 36 and have breast cancer….now what?” I was very lucky though, because I had fantastic friends and family who held me up and helped me through my personal battle.

When my Hadassah chapter asked me to share my experience as a young Jewish woman with breast cancer at a local event, I happily accepted, eager to speak about a disease I feel I can’t do enough about. I was asked to highlight 5 unique things I learned that others might not know, which made me question what was unique about my experience? Doesn’t every woman know about breast cancer? It made me realize that while most women do know about breast cancer, they probably don’t know about the challenges faced by a 36 year-old woman who didn’t want to be treated like she was diagnosed at 65, who still had a dream of starting a family someday, and who chose not to do chemo in favor a new treatment protocol.

I shared the intimate details of my ”new” world, one where I take pills in the morning that have life-altering side effects, but are the key to sustaining my life. For me, it is life. For the people listening, it is a side of breast cancer they never knew about. I have had the honor of being part of Sharsheret’s Link Program and using my personal experience to help other young Jewish women facing breast cancer. I am one of the truly blessed ones. I am fighting and surviving. I feel as if the reason I am still here, alive today, is to do just what I have done: educate women, raise awareness, and help others fight the fight.

Watch an exclusive interview with Team Sharsheret Triathlete Linda Gerstel on Fox 5 NY!

2010-06-24T11:05:00.001-04:00

The Holocaust & Breast Cancer: Exploring the Connection

2010-06-22T15:06:00.007-04:00

Click here to register for the Teleconference and Webinar.

This Teleconference and Webinar was made possible with support from

and the Julius and Emmy Hamburger Memorial Fund.

Watch Celebrity “Survivor” Ethan Zohn Live at Sharsheret’s Benefit!

2010-06-10T14:26:00.001-04:00

Watch exclusive footage of Ethan Zohn, 2002 winner of the reality television show Survivor, as he addressed more than 450 men and women at Sharsheret’s Annual Benefit held on May 16th.

Two Great Opportunities To Join Team Sharsheret NYC!

2010-06-08T15:35:00.002-04:00

Two Great Opportunities To Join Team Sharsheret NYC!

Apply now for one of Sharsheret's 5 slots for the ING New York City Marathon, Sunday, November 7th. To be considered for a slot, e-mail athletes@sharsheret.org and include your name, phone number, a brief description of yourself, and why you want to join Team Sharsheret. Sharsheret will provide race training, a Team Sharsheret shirt, and a personalized fundraising page with your agreement to raise a minimum of $5,000 in support of our national programs. Applications are due this Friday, June 11th.
Join Team Sharsheret at the NYC Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Sunday, September 12th. Help us build the largest community team for the 6th consecutive year! To register, visit http://www.komennyc.org/, choose "Race for the Cure", "Join A Race Team", and then select Sharsheret. Register before July 15th and save $10.

Looking forward to welcoming you to Team Sharsheret!

For more information, please e-mail athletes@sharsheret.org or call (866) 474-2774.

Chai Survivor – Celebrating 18 years and turning 50

2010-06-04T13:14:00.004-04:00

By: Bonnie Stein, Sharsheret Peer Supporter

I do not believe my story to be unique, my journey special or my life inspiring, even though for years people have been telling me just that. I will admit that being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 at the age of 32, the mother of two small children (then ages 5 and 3), married for nine years, and working full-time outside the home did put me in a club that I was not looking to join, where few others my age were to be found.

Have you heard of people having a sixth sense? That is the only explanation I can think of for the fact that I received a mammogram at such a young age. I had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right and after calling my internist to inquire why women should wait until they are 35 to receive this test; my doctor chose to think outside the box and send me for a mammogram based on my instincts. On April 21st, 1992 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Three days later, I had a modified radical mastectomy with 16 lymph nodes removed. Two positive nodes were found, which put me at Stage 2, but other than that my body was completely clear of any cancer. It was ironic hearing medical personnel continually call me an “otherwise healthy 32 year-old.” On April 26th I was released from the hospital with drainage tubes. The next day my daughter came down with chicken pox and two days later, my son began the itch. I went from patient mode to mother mode and never looked back.

Enduring eight months of chemotherapy (my doctor warned me that it would be very aggressive because he never wanted me walking through his doors again), one hospital stay, one blood transfusion, and enough viral and bacterial infections to last a lifetime, I had learned things about myself, my husband, my family, and my friends that would make me look back at this time and actually be grateful.

December 1992 marked the end of chemotherapy and beginning of preparations for plastic surgery. In an ironic twist, silicone implants had just been taken off the market for all breast reconstruction “except for breast cancer patients.” My doctor and I actually laughed when he told me this as we wondered what message was embedded in that sentiment. Needless to say, I chose the saline implants. Today there are so many options and so many advancements in treatment that it can almost be tailor-made to each situation.

I did not survive breast cancer - I lived it and lived my life every day. I made a commitment to my family that we would not let this define me or us. We would continue to do everything we always did. I would not miss a concert, recital, school conference or work. With the help of family and friends, we thrived and I would like to think I set an example of empowerment for all of them. Today, my children are 23 and 21 years-old. My son goes to the doctor regularly and listens to his body. My daughter is very knowledgeable about breast cancer and Jewish genetic diseases. She is proactive with her own health care and knows the importance of regular check-ups.

While attending the University of Wisconsin, my daughter joined the Jewish sorority AEPhi. As it happens, Sharsheret is AEPhi’s national philanthropy and as soon as my daughter told me about the organization and how she raised breast cancer awareness on campus, I immediately went online to find out how I could get involved. I signed up as a peer supporter and hope to help other women facing breast cancer through sharing my own experience.

My husband and I will celebrate, and we always celebrate good things, 28 years of marriage this August. It has been 18 years since that April day when I had my breast removed. My sister-in-law asked me a day before my surgery, “How do you feel about having your breast removed?,” and my answer was and would still be, “They can take my arm, leg or any other body part, because that is all they are, body parts. I just want to be here to see my kids graduate high school.” Well, I made it and I’m looking forward to weddings and grandchildren!

Want a slot in the ING New York City Marathon this November?

2010-05-28T11:52:00.007-04:00

Have you ever dreamed of running the ING New York City Marathon? Now your dream can come true! Team Sharsheret has 5 slots for the ING New York City Marathon on November 7, 2010!

We:

Provide a coveted slot in the ING New York City Marathon
Present a training schedule motivating you to complete the 26.2 mile course
Offer training tips, a pre-event kit and a post-event celebration
Dress you in an official Team Sharsheret shirt
Provide you with a personalized fundraising page and support with fundraising initiatives
Surround you with athletes who will motivate and inspire you to reach the finish line in support of the young Jewish women and families facing breast cancer served by Sharsheret

You:

Agree to raise a minimum of $5,000 for Team Sharsheret to support our national programs and spread the word about the important work that we do nationwide
Register for the ING New York City Marathon on our site
Notify friends and family of your participation in the ING New York City Marathon

Have the competitive experience of a lifetime!

For more information about joining Team Sharsheret this year, please e-mail athletes@sharsheret.org with your name, phone number, and a brief description of yourself and why you want to join Team Sharsheret. The deadline to apply for a slot is June 11, 2010.

See you at the finish line!

Sleepless Nights and Cheesecake - Happy Shavuot!

2010-05-18T12:36:00.004-04:00

By: Shera Dubitsky, Clinical Supervisor

When most people think about the holiday of Shavuot, I imagine that the first association is with the receiving of the Torah. It is tradition to stay up all night learning and studying. Another coveted tradition is eating dairy throughout the duration of this holiday. So, it all comes down to sleepless nights and cheesecake. Sound familiar? I suppose that when you are hit with a diagnosis of cancer, there are probably many sleepless nights and binging on cakes (well, maybe not while undergoing chemo).

There are a plethora of articles out there about healthy lifestyles and nutrition when it comes to living with cancer. Judaism also purports leading a healthy, balanced life. How do we then make sense of celebrating this holiday via a sleepless night and cheesecake? What are the takeaways?

Perhaps it’s okay to stay up every once in a while or have a decadent treat on occasion, without beating yourself up about it.
On the topic of healthy lifestyles and nutrition, it is important to take care of yourselves. I encourage all of you to download and read the transcript from Sharsheret’s Symposium, "Surviving Young: Life after Breast Cancer", for tips on diet, exercise, and healthy living.
Sometimes you may find yourselves pushing beyond your limits; however, you may learn things about your strength and resolve that until now have remained hidden.

I wish you a very happy holiday and a Chag Sameach,

Shera

Text For Your Next Mammogram

2010-05-13T14:33:00.002-04:00

Join Sharsheret and Ping Mobile as we launch the “Text For Your Next”^SM mobile alert campaign to promote breast health awareness. Text the word “Sharsheret” and we’ll send you a reminder to schedule your annual mammogram, ultrasound, or other breast cancer screening in six months. The campaign will be launched live at our Annual Benefit, this Sunday, May 16, 2010, at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe, in Teaneck, New Jersey.

But there’s no need to wait until Sunday. Start texting today! To participate in the “Text For Your Next”^SM mobile campaign and to receive your personalized screening reminder, text the word “Sharsheret”, hit the space key, and type your first and last name (without a space between the names) to 74642.

From One of Our Mothers to Yours

2010-05-07T09:50:00.002-04:00

In honor of Mother’s Day, we’d like to share a meaningful e-mail we received from the mother of one of our Callers. Wishing all of our readers a very happy Mother’s Day!

“You so graciously sent a package of toys for my grandchildren, information packets, a magnificent pillow and other materials to my daughter. I literally cried when she told me about the toy package; the pillow arrived as she was in surgery. I had known about Sharsheret for a number of years, but I had no idea of the scope of the organization. I am so very grateful to you and the work that the dedicated volunteers and staff perform. I, too, had breast cancer and I understand the emotional turmoil this disease causes. My daughter still has a way to go in her treatment, but knowing that you are behind young women and able to provide practical and emotional support is reassuring. Thank you.”
- Mother of a Sharsheret Caller

One Survivor Among Scientists

2010-05-04T08:57:00.000-04:00

By: Rochelle Shoretz, Executive Director

I recently returned from a five day conference hosted by the American Association of Cancer Research, in which I participated as a member of the Survivor-Scientist Program. It was an opportunity for those scientists at the heart of cancer research to meet and speak with cancer survivors. And it was an incredible opportunity for us – survivors of all forms of cancer - to meet those taking steps towards a cure. More than anything, I left the conference hopeful – not because of any promising discovery or treatment – but because of the sheer number of men and women dedicated to the science of cancer. Like you, I’ve read about clinical trials in the newspaper, and even participated in a few coordinated by various hospitals and medical institutions in whose waiting rooms I’ve spent too many hours. But I didn’t quite realize the depth of research being done on the genetic level – an entire “basement” of research in which scientists are attempting to map the sequencing of our genome and generate tailored cancer treatments on the basis of those unique maps. The plenary sessions were packed with thousands of research scientists – in rooms as large as a football field and, in some cases, with graphs and slides as difficult for me to follow as a football game! It was one of the few experiences of my life in which I felt grateful to be overwhelmed.

Join Us In Jerusalem!

2010-05-03T14:41:00.002-04:00

By: Elana Silber, Director of Operations

What a monumental day for Sharsheret! Sitting in the front row at an historic Press Conference at Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Washington, DC last Wednesday, Rochelle Shoretz and I were thrilled to hear Nancy Brinker, the Founder of Komen, name Sharsheret as a partner in the first ever Israel Race for the Cure to be held in Jerusalem. In the months ahead, Sharsheret will work closely with Komen and share with you details about the October Race and related events, which will include a week of programming on enhancing advocacy, awareness, screening and treatment of breast cancer in Israel and worldwide. It was most inspiring to hear from the Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barakat, as he described how the Israel Race will “open the gates of Jerusalem to all those who want to see a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime.” This October, thousands of young Jewish women and families will come together in Jerusalem for a common cause. Please join us as we cross the finish line together and take one step closer to the cure.

Watch Sheryl Crow and Sharsheret today on The Dr. Oz Show!

2010-04-29T11:17:00.001-04:00

Tune in today to watch Sharsheret's Founder and Executive Director Rochelle Shoretz participate in a taping of an episode of The Dr. Oz Show addressing breast cancer risk and prevention. The episode features singer-songwriter and breast cancer survivor Sheryl Crow, who will discuss her breast cancer experience and answer questions from select audience members, including Rochelle! Click here to find out what time and channel the show will air in your area.

Team Sharsheret Runs the MORE Half-Marathon

2010-04-26T12:14:00.003-04:00

By: Ellen Kleinhaus, Sharsheret Project Manager

When you are training for a half-marathon, why doesn’t anyone tell you that it can rain? And rain it did! This past Sunday, April 26th, Team Sharsheret members Dana Adler, Nikki Sausen, and myself ran, despite a heavy downpour, in the women’s only MORE Half-Marathon through Central Park in New York City. Running with 10,000 other women was truly inspiring. I was also fortunate to have my sister-in-law, Michelle, run alongside me. She was an amazing motivator and didn’t let me quit until we reached the finish line. As we ran, Michelle repeated the same words of encouragement that kept me going, “This run is for you, it’s your run!”

This morning, I reflected on what running with Team Sharsheret meant to me. We ran the half-marathon to raise breast cancer awareness and funds to support Sharsheret’s vital programs for Jewish women and families facing breast cancer. I recognized the parallel between my “coach” Michelle and the support and services we provide to the women and families who call Sharsheret. Just as my “coach” was there for me (especially between mile 10 and 11 when I really wanted to stop and walk!), the Sharsheret staff is there for the women who call for support, for the families who need direction, for the college students educating their peers about breast cancer, and for the healthcare providers who want to learn more about the specific needs of Jewish women. It makes me proud to be a part of both the Team that ran the half-marathon and the Team at Sharsheret.

Congratulations to all of my fellow runners! You are amazing and we did it! Can’t wait to do it again next year!

My Family’s Breast Cancer History: KNOWLEDGE is power!

2010-04-12T11:42:00.000-04:00

By: Sharsheret Link Program Peer Supporter

Seven years after my aunt survived breast cancer, she learned that she was a BRCA2 gene carrier and had the incredible burden of responsibility to share this with our family. We soon learned that not only was my paternal aunt a carrier but so was my dad and, so was I. As a BRCA2 gene carrier, I learned that I could have up to an 87% chance of getting breast cancer and up to a 40% chance of getting ovarian cancer in my lifetime. These were truly life-changing statistics. As a healthy 36-year-old with 3 young children, married to my best friend, sitting back and “waiting” was not an option for me.

My husband and I made several appointments with breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, etc., as we researched the risk factors for a BRCA2 carrier. We knew that living with this risk, in fear at each mammogram, would not work for us. Staying ahead of breast cancer was what we needed to do. I decided, with the love and support of my husband and family, to have a prophylactic double mastectomy with skin-sparing reconstruction. This seemed absolutely absurd in some ways – to take a perfectly healthy body and perform this type of surgery on it – preventively, but the alternative seemed too risky for me. But, I must say, this is a very individual choice and not a choice that all of my friends or family members would make. Even my aunt, a survivor and BRCA2 gene carrier, did not feel comfortable with the idea of having a prophylactic mastectomy. My sister, also unfortunately a BRCA2 carrier, did not feel comfortable with this choice either.

My breast surgeon advised me to schedule a breast MRI “just to have a baseline.” Even though I had consistently gone for breast exams, mammograms, and sonograms since the age of 30 (due to my family history), she strongly recommended this as well. I went for the baseline MRI and within 2 hours of the test, received a call from her with the devastating news that they discovered some “suspicious areas for breast cancer.” This came as a complete shock - I was just doing this to obtain a baseline. The next day I went back for the sonogram guided biopsies and days later received my formal diagnosis that I actually had invasive lobular breast cancer in my left breast – one that was so hidden between the sheets of breast tissue that it had never been detected by any of the breast exams, mammograms or sonograms over the past several years.

Ten days later my double mastectomy (and reconstruction), not prophylactic anymore, took place. A few weeks after that, I started chemotherapy, which lasted for 4 months. Shortly after the chemo treatments were completed, I had the second surgery for the implants to be placed and, at the same time, opted to do a prophylactic laparoscopic oophorectomy (removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries) to prevent the 40% risk of developing ovarian cancer. At this point, after all we went through, I couldn’t leave any stone unturned as I knew my risk for this cancer as well. Even though ovarian cancer does not run in my family, every single doctor that we consulted encouraged us to undergo this procedure after we were finished having children to help shut down estrogen in the body (which could also “feed” breast cancer). After 4 weeks, I was scheduled to complete the last part of my treatment, which was 6 weeks of daily radiation. What a journey this has been! Ironically, the prophylactic surgery that we were opting to do to prevent breast cancer became the mandatory treatment (along with chemotherapy and radiation) for ridding my body of this silent disease.

My family has put many pieces together in this puzzle. The BRCA2 gene runs on the paternal side of my family and I learned that my great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, too, had breast cancer. Now, it is just incredulous to realize that this has been going on in my family for at least 5 generations! My aunt recently had a change of heart and underwent a prophylactic double mastectomy because she realized the impact it had on my survival and that it could actually look so good. My sister, too, had a change of heart and, as soon as I got the MRI results, chose to make this difficult decision and had a prophylactic double mastectomy to stay ahead of the risk.

I am honored, privileged, and grateful to be on the other side of this now and have been done with my treatments for 3 months. Above all, I have never lost my faith. With faith, you can conquer everything. It has no bounds and no limits. It often explains the unexplainable and gives you the courage to fight battles and make choices that you never knew or imagined would be yours to make. It helps to bring peacefulness to the insanity in life and magnifies beauty in everything. Thank you, G-d, for the many blessings and miracles that you have bestowed upon us.

I feel wonderfully well, and have an even stronger, deeper appreciation for everything in life. I heard about Sharsheret from my cousin and from a friend and I actually met Sharsheret’s Founder and Executive Director Rochelle Shoretz at a Hadassah event on Long Island. She was just amazing and I related to her positive energy. I knew when my time came to "give back" and/or get involved, my first choice would be Sharsheret for all that the organization represents and does for Jewish women. I feel so blessed to have a second chance and am committed to “paying it forward.” I look forward to serving as a Sharsheret peer supporter and helping other women in this fight with love, strength, fortitude, and faith.

“Kosher for Passover” Food for Thought

2010-03-25T13:06:00.001-04:00

By: Shera Dubitsky, MEd, MA, Sharsheret Clinical Supervisor
As I dusted off my Hagaddah in preparation for the upcoming holiday of Passover, I took a few moments to scan the text. I recognized that this ancient story possessed many current themes that can help inspire us as we emotionally and spiritually prepare for this holiday.

• Passover is a holiday focused on remembering how the Jews were slaves in Egypt and granted their freedom. Why is it so important that we remember this yearly? This can be a time of year to reflect on what enslaves you personally. Is it your thoughts? Toxic relationships? Cancer? What can you do to free yourself?

• In order for matzah to be kosher for Passover, it must be baked for exactly 18 minutes. The matzah has the undivided attention of the baker to make sure it is kosher. Imagine if you had 18 minutes of undivided attention from your loved ones, what would you want to say to them? What messages would you want to convey?

• The Seder includes the four sons: The son who does not know how to ask, simple son, wicked son, and wise son. Think about this in terms of your illness:

Son who does not know how to ask - When you were first diagnosed with breast cancer, I suspect you didn’t know where to turn, what questions to ask.
Simple son - Perhaps with limited knowledge about the disease, you let your doctor take the lead. As time passed, you acquired more knowledge, researched more, and became a partner in treatment decisions.
Wicked son - At some point in your cancer journey did you act on your feelings of anger? Resentment? Rebellion?
Wise son - Having been touched by breast cancer, you have certainly acquired increased knowledge about the illness. What other knowledge have you acquired? What wisdom have you gained?

We hope you find these questions thoughtful and reflective. We wish all of our readers a wonderful and meaningful holiday.

Are You At Risk? Our Community's Response to Breast Cancer

2010-03-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

Please join us as we collaborate with Jewish organizations in Florida to present “ARE YOU AT RISK? Our Community’s Response to Breast Cancer.” Panelists Dr. Alajandra Perez (Memorial Breast Cancer Centers), Hon. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (US House of Representatives), and Rochelle Shoretz (Founder and Executive Director, Sharsheret) will address a variety of topics, including risk factors for the Jewish woman (under 40 years old), facing breast cancer as a Jewish woman, community support, services and resources, and advocacy. To register, please visit http://www.jewishbroward.org/ or call (954) 434-0499, ext. 336. This event is free of charge and is sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Meet Celebrity "Survivor" Ethan Zohn!

2010-03-23T10:59:00.000-04:00

Ethan Zohn, 2002 winner of the reality television show Survivor, will be the Keynote Speaker at Sharsheret’s Annual Benefit Luncheon on Sunday, May 16, 2010 in Teaneck, New Jersey. Select guests will also have the opportunity to meet Ethan at an exclusive pre-program reception. For more information about the Luncheon and meeting Ethan Zohn at the reception, please call Sharsheret toll-free at (866) 474-2774 or e-mail events@sharsheret.org. For seat reservations and contributions, please click here. For driving directions, please click here.

Meet Team Sharsheret’s Triathletes

2010-03-09T15:41:00.013-05:00

We are excited to introduce the five Team Sharsheret athletes who will compete in the Nautica/NYC Triathlon on July 18, 2010. Our athletes have already begun to train for this Olympic Distance Race that includes swimming, biking, and running! They participated in training sessions at Chelsea Piers and attended a Sharsheret “Nutrition and Training” program featuring Registered Dietician Julie Kramer. Please join us in supporting their athletic and fundraising efforts as they take on this incredible challenge.

Linda Gerstel – To read Linda’s story, please click here.

Cheryl Lasher – To read Cheryl’s story, please click here.

Gila Leiter - To read Gila’s story, please click here.

Chani Teigman - To read Chani’s story, please click here.

Joseph Lerner – To read Joseph’s story, please click here

Visit Sharsheret’s Exhibit Booth At The 10th Annual Conference For Young Women Affected By Breast Cancer

2010-02-24T13:13:00.003-05:00

Founder and Executive Director Rochelle Shoretz will host a Sharsheret exhibit booth at the 10th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer in Atlanta, Georgia this Friday-Saturday, February 26-27th. Visit Rochelle at Booth 39 to learn about Sharsheret’s new programs and find out how you can get involved. For more information about the conference, please visit http://www.youngsurvivorsconference.org/.

Bring Idea #18 To Your Community!

2010-02-19T10:33:00.002-05:00

JTA and The Fundermentalist, the Forward and its Sisterhood Blog, eJewish Philanthropy, Jewcy, Jewschool, the Jewish Federations of North America, and 31 Days, 31 Ideas, have partnered to publish one new idea each day of February from 28 different Jewish thinkers in an effort to produce new ideas that can enhance the Jewish community.

Read Idea #18, "A Day of Empowerment for Jews Facing Serious Illness," by Sharsheret Founder and Executive Director Rochelle Shoretz:

"As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I've been on the receiving end of the Jewish community's response to serious illness for almost 10 years. We are an incredibly charitable people; over the years, I have been inspired by the lengths to which we will go to encourage Jewish men, women and children to help the sick. We train our rabbis on sensitivity in speaking with ill congregants. We teach our young ones the mitzvah of bikur cholim, or visiting the sick. We encourage our community members to set up prayer groups to recite tehillim (psalms) and chesed organizations to prepare meals and offer childcare. I am grateful for all that the community has done for me, and for all those facing serious illnesses. But I think we can be doing so much more for ourselves." Click here to read more.

To bring Idea #18 to your community, contact Rebecca at rschwartz@sharsheret.org.

Thousands Of Students Join Pink Day Worldwide

2010-02-10T12:05:00.004-05:00

by: Tzvi Solomon
Today, thousands of teenagers stand with the people diagnosed with breast cancer, those who are survivors, and the families and friends who have been affected by breast cancer. We stand with them in 3 different countries, 14 different states and 45 different cities. We all are standing to show them that we are here for them and are ready to make a difference. We are standing with them to help ensure that we are doing something to stop this generation and generations to come from being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Pink Day for Breast Cancer started at TABC (Torah Academy of Bergen County) about 4 years ago. When I got to Lev Hatorah Yeshiva in Israel I knew that we had to keep up with the tradition and host one in our school - thanks to the support of TABC faculty member, mentor, and role model Ms. Hoenig, who inspired me to share this day globally. As I told more and more friends about the initiative, people started to become more and more interested. I decided to reach out to other Yeshivas to participate in Pink Day. That led to some seminaries (post-high school learning programs in Israel) and to schools in America and Canada. Now we have more than 50 schools participating.

Teenagers from all over can be seen in pink spreading breast cancer awareness and collecting money for Sharsheret. I just got off the phone with a girl who said that her school looks like "an army of pink soldiers." I told her that is what we are - pink soldiers ready to take on the second most diagnosed cancer among women, a cancer that is diagnosed in men as well, a cancer from which someone dies every 13 minutes, and a cancer in which almost 1 out of every 9 women is prone to get. We are soldiers ready to fight breast cancer.

Perhaps the most inspiring moment came from one of my friends who commemorated the second anniversary of his mother's death. When I told him that we are dedicating the day to his mom, he turned to me as he shed tears and said, "All I can say is thank you." It doesn't matter how old you are - we must all be ready to make a difference. You may never know who you will inspire to get checked, who you will inspire to get a family member or friend checked, and who you will save because of it. May we all celebrate joyous occasions and be able to eradicate breast cancer in the future.

To read more about Sharsheret, click here.

To donate in honor of Pink Day, click here.

Conversations With G-d

2010-02-08T14:31:00.004-05:00

by: Helene Schonbrun

My youngest daughter is running around excitedly practicing songs and dances and a one-sentence part for her upcoming Chag HaSiddur (prayer book celebration). This event is a major milestone for Jewish day school first-graders, a culmination of their being skillful enough in reading Hebrew to be able to pray from a prayer book and of reaching a maturity level appropriate for beginning their formal conversations with G-d.

I remember when I received my first siddur 38 years ago and the sing-song prayers that became part of my daily routine. Unfortunately, the recitation of the prayers eventually became rote and the meaning of the words didn't strike a chord anymore. Even after my father's death when I was eighteen, the tunes remained comforting, but the words didn't truly resonate until I faced breast cancer.

Last year, my prayers became different. I talked to G-d while I lay still in the diagnostic machines. Unable to move or breathe heavily, it was in my head that I pleaded with Him silently but urgently telling Him that I wanted to live, that I wanted to enjoy the milestones I had taken for granted, that I feared my young children would suffer the pains of losing a parent. Prior to my diagnosis, I had never deeply felt the words of the prayers. Now, as never before, I yearn dearly to be written in The Book of Life and tell G-d so outside of the machines.

How precious will it be sitting in the audience watching my seven-year-old daughter proudly receive her first siddur with her beautiful name embroidered on its cover? How incredible it will be that on that very same day, as she embarks on her own spiritual journey and begins her own conversations with G-d, I will be celebrating my first anniversary as a breast cancer survivor! And I will joyfully sing along with the kids when they close their show with, of all songs, the survivor's anthem, the Shehechiyanu.

As I reflect upon my journey, I remember the first time I heard about Sharsheret when the organization’s Founder Rochelle Shoretz was honored at my synagogue's annual dinner. I signed up for Sharsheret’s e-mail list and while reading their e-newsletters over the following few years, it never crossed my mind that breast cancer would happen to me. I called Sharsheret the day of my initial diagnosis and said to the woman who answered the phone, “I don't know why I'm calling, but I was just diagnosed with breast cancer.” I soon understood why it was a blessing that I had called. Starting with the receipt of a Busy Box for my children and continuing with the invaluable support, guidance, and education of Clinical Supervisor Shera Dubitsky, my Link (peer supporter), and the entire organization, I learned how to be a cancer patient, how to navigate through the panic while advocating for myself, how to take responsibility for my decision making, and how to address the issues faced by me as a mother of three young children. Sharsheret fills a much-needed niche and does it so well, a life raft thrown out to you after you've been set adrift.

Order Your Purim Cards Today!

2010-01-19T20:29:00.002-05:00

Sharsheret's Purim Cards are a wonderful way to send best wishes to loved ones in lieu of Mishloach Manot. Sharsheret Purim Cards come in packages of 12 for a contribution of $36, with an additional charge for shipping and handling, or they may be picked up at our Teaneck office. To order online, please click here. Sharsheret Purim Cards are also available for purchase at Animations Toy and Costume Store, 475 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ.

Best of Sharsheret 2009

2009-12-31T11:53:00.038-05:00

As we look towards 2010, we are proud to highlight the Best of Sharsheret 2009. Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year.

Sharsheret's genetics poster abstract, To Test or Not to Test: The Influence of Ashkenazi Jewish Ethnicity, was chosen for display at the International Symposium on Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer and was published in the October edition of Current Oncology.

Sharsheret presented education and outreach events in cities nationwide, including Austin, TX; Detroit, MI; East Brunswick, NJ; Hollywood, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Rockville, MD; and Scotch Plains, NJ.

More than 800 runners and walkers joined the first-ever Boca Raton Synagogue Sisterhood's Annual Run/Walk for Sharsheret, organized by local volunteers.

Founder and Executive Director Rochelle Shoretz shared her personal journey through breast cancer in an exclusive interview on Fox 5 News NY.

Sharsheret Link, Meredith Fried of Needham, Massachusetts, was featured in Jewish newspapers accross the country highlighting her inspiring story.

Manicure for the Cure events raised breast cancer awareness among thousands of students on 16 college campuses nationwide.

Annual Benefit Luncheon honored authors and breast cancer survivors, Rochelle Hirsch and Naava Parker, and musical artist, Suffy Rudman.

Want A Slot In The NYC Triathlon This July?

2009-12-25T12:07:00.003-05:00

Whether you've raced before or have only dreamed of competing, join Team Sharsheret as we partner with Triathlon Team Full Throttle in the NYC Triathlon, July 18, 2010!

We:

Provide a coveted slot in the now sold-out Triathlon, race registration, and related fees
Dress you in official Triathlon gear
Offer bike training in New York's Central Park and a course in the basics of Triathlon training at Chelsea Piers
Arm you with 6 months of online running, swim, and bike training routines
Surround you with athletes who will motivate and inspire you to reach the finish line in support of this important cause

You:

Agree to raise a minimum of $5,000 for Team Sharsheret to support our national programs (We make it easy, with personalized pledge pages on Sharsheret's website!)
Notify friends and family of your participation in this year's Triathlon
Have the competitive experience of a lifetime

For more information about joining Team Sharsheret this year, please e-mail athletes@sharsheret.org with your name, your phone number, and a brief description of who you are and why you want to join Team Sharsheret this year.

But ACT FAST! We have only 5 Triathlon slots this year, and they are sure to go quickly.

See you at the finish line!

Happy Chanukah from the Women of Embrace

2009-12-11T11:57:00.001-05:00

Twice a month, Sharsheret’s Embrace support group for women living with advanced breast cancer meets via teleconference. One group session is topic-driven and the second group session is social, where the members catch up with one another and share information. Last week, our group focused on the topic of drawing inspiration from the story of Chanukah. We would like to share our insights here with all of you as a special gift to the women of Sharsheret. Best wishes for a Happy Chanukah!

The theme of the Chanukah story is how the weak overcame the mighty. The Greek army was large, powerful, and certainly mighty. The Jewish army, the Maccabees, were much smaller in comparison and were certainly considered the weaker of the two forces. Yet, the Jews conquered their enemies and succeeded. This metaphor can also be applied to the fight against breast cancer. There are times when the cancer can feel mighty. Even cancer treatment can feel mighty and can weaken a person. Yet, treatment can also be considered an arsenal against the mighty cancer. When a woman is weakened by cancer or treatment, what resources, both internal and external, can she rely on to overcome the mighty?

We also discussed the She’hechyanu (who has given us life) prayer that is sung on the first night of Chanukah when the candles are lit. This prayer resonated differently with each woman as we reflected on what is happening in our individual lives at the moment. Some women felt grateful to have been given the life that they have, even though they were presented with a cancer diagnosis. Others connected with sustaining life and feeling grateful for the arsenal of treatment available to women facing breast cancer.

Finally, we discussed the light from the candles. Light is often synonymous with hope. The Maccabees were running out of light. Were there times they experienced hopelessness? We know from the story that they never gave up hope and were fortunate to experience a miracle. They were granted enough light to help them conquer the Greeks. Why did the light last for eight days? It would have seemed more natural for the light to have lasted for seven days. After all, seven is a number often seen in Jewish life - seven day of creation, seven days of the week. What can we make of the fact that the light lasted beyond the natural limits? We learn from this story that we are sometimes pushed beyond our limits, and we must therefore, push beyond our natural physical and spiritual limits in order to overcome the mighty.

Celebrate with Sharsheret on Twitter!

2009-12-08T10:57:00.001-05:00

Follow Sharsheret on Twitter and help us celebrate #charitytuesday today! Put #charitytuesday in a tweet (Twitter status update) along with @Sharsheret. Ask your friends and Twitter followers to join you in spreading the word about Sharsheret!

Sharsheret Teleconference Addressed New Screening Guidelines

2009-11-25T15:46:00.003-05:00

Sharsheret's national teleconference, New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines: What Do They Mean For Me?, recorded on November 24, 2009, featured Sharsheret Medical Advisory Board member Dr. Thomas Kolb (NYC radiologist) and Sharsheret Genetic Counselor Niecee Singer Schonberger, MS, CGC. The panelists addressed the new breast cancer screening guidelines released by the United States Preventive Services Task Force last week.

Listen to Sharsheret’s National Teleconference, New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines: What Do They Mean For Me?.

New Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening. Rochelle Shoretz Answers questions on Fox 5 News NY

2009-11-17T13:48:00.004-05:00

In breaking news, the United States Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts appointed by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, released new guidelines on November 16th, recommending that most women start regular breast cancer screening at age 50, not 40. The recommendations do not apply to women with unusual risk factors for breast cancer, and the Task Force “encourages individualized, informed decision making about when to start mammography screening”. For the complete abstract, please visit http://www.annals.org/content/151/10/716.full.

At this time, Sharsheret urges each woman to consult with her health care provider about the method and frequency of screening that is appropriate for her, given her medical and family genetic history. For more information about risk factors for hereditary breast cancer, please contact Sharsheret’s staff genetic counselor, Niecee Singer Schonberger, M.S., C.G.C., at nschonberger@sharsheret.org or (866) 474-2774.

Breast Cancer And The Next Generation: Caring For Our Children

2009-11-07T18:28:00.008-05:00

Listen to Sharsheret’s National Teleconference, Breast Cancer And The Next Generation: Caring For Our Children.

The teleconference was made possible with generous support from

Julius and Emmy Hamburger Memorial Fund

and

Watch Sharsheret Founder and Executive Director Rochelle Shoretz in an Exclusive TV Interview Featured on Fox 5 News NY

2009-10-13T12:14:00.013-04:00

Eight years ago, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time, there was no organization dedicated to supporting young Jewish women facing breast cancer. I was 28 years old, raising two young children, and more than anything, I felt alone.

I have often said that Sharsheret’s success is not the product of one woman’s efforts – that there are thousands of angels who are sitting on my shoulders as Sharsheret grows at a remarkable pace. But these past few months, I have had the privilege of sitting on Sharsheret’s shoulders as I face breast cancer a second time. After my mastectomy in February, I received a Pillow of Support from Sharsheret to elevate my arm, just as so many of you have. Sharsheret’s Link Program has connected me with another woman who opted for the same reconstructive surgery that I was considering. And as I struggle with the concerns of a woman living with Stage IV breast cancer, I have had the support of Sharsheret’s Embrace Program, designed to address the needs of those living with advanced breast cancer. The Sharsheret, the chain, of support that I began eight years ago has come full circle. I began as a link in that chain and now use the strength of other links for my own support.

I am no longer alone in my journey. I have a Sharsheret family.

A Community Of Love

2009-10-09T11:30:00.003-04:00

by Malki Gartenberg

There are two kinds of survivors-those who wish to keep their diagnosis private, and others who share the news. Initially, I was on the private side; but as time progressed, my secret revealed itself in a most natural progression. I guess I thought sharing my cancer diagnosis would make it real. As my friend's Dad is famous for saying, "Denial is not just a river in Egypt ". By the time I had no eyebrows or lashes, the gig was up. There was no denying. I no longer recognized the girl in the mirror. I needed lots of love and I needed it now!
There was such an immediate outpouring of love and nurturing, and I drank it up. There's never a bad time to feel loved. Once I opened my heart and let everyone in, accepting rides, food, visits, lunches and laughs, we all became a community. The Community of Helping Malki Get Better. I learned that I always wanted to be in a warm and loving community, but it took a cancer diagnosis to put aside my independent streak and allow those surrounding me to feed me with love.
If this is how I feel, I imagine there are a multitude of other survivors experiencing these feelings. Thanks to Rochelle Shoretz , we can all connect. I have so much admiration for Rochelle. Instead of burying her head under the covers, which I seriously considered, Rochelle successfully created Sharsheret as a link for all of us to unite and gather strength from one another. Sharsheret was the first phone call I made upon returning home from the doctor on the day my cancer was confirmed. Elana Silber, a friend for 40 years, calmly soothed me while I did nothing but sob on the phone. She connected me to Shera, who has been a constant source of support throughout my treatment. My last week of chemotherapy coincided with the Komen walk. What a meaningful way to culminate the past five months. With my close family and friends by my side, we slowly shpattziered, sauntered, through the streets of Manhattan and Central Park , taking in the crowds and the amazing energy of the day. There was a spirit emanating from every person there; a strength, courage and a determination to fight, support and be there for loved ones. By the time we reached the finish line, I didn't want the day to end. I felt like I could have walked a million miles with these people.
Someone asked me recently, “What are the correct words to say to a recently diagnosed friend?” My answer was: Just call, visit, but don't fret over the words. My best messages came from people who understood I couldn't call back. When they said on my machine, “I’m just calling to let you know I am thinking about you, you don't have to call back”, I was thrilled.
One more thing before I go: the High Holidays and cancer. This is the first time I really had to go into Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur wondering, “Do I really want to have this conversation with the Holy One?” I remembered davening, praying, last year before I ever imagined I would have a health concern; it all seemed so routine and impersonal. Not this year. I felt there were two of us in the room, G-d and myself. It was scary and I am glad I can't read the future, because sometimes you just don't need to know.

I Stand with Tevye

2009-09-21T12:47:00.013-04:00

by Susan Hessel
(Also posted on Facebook)
http://shessel.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/for-other-jewish-women/
I stand with Tevye
Do you remember that scene in the musical Fiddler on the Roof when Tevye looks up at the sky and says to G-d, “I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can’t You choose someone else?”
It’s a joke among Jews that we really didn’t need to be chosen in so many ways that we are. Now I get to add breast cancer to that list. Or do I?
It’s certainly how I felt when my doctor called me a few weeks back and told me that she and the breast radiologist had been talking and thought that because of my “ethnicity” they should go one step further and I should have a breast MRI.
“My ethnicity?” I asked.
“Yes, didn’t you know that Ashkenazic Jewish women are at greater risk for breast cancer?”
“I’ll convert,” I told my doctor, maybe only a quarter kidding at that moment. (And yes, I did tell my rabbi I said that. He laughed.)
“I don’t think that will work,” my doctor said to my suggestion of conversion. “It’s hereditary.”
“Ahh,” I said, “I’ll blame my parents.”
Of course, to blame my parents, who are no longer with me, would be tacky and inappropriate. It would open me to similar feelings from my kids. They chose lousy parents heredity wise, but that’s another story.
I am of Ashkenazic – Central/Eastern European Jewish descent. And yes, I do have breast cancer and am about to have a mastectomy. But who knows if it is genetic or something related to the environment or simply the flying fickle finger of fate (think Laugh-In television show in the 1960s).

I have talked with other Jewish women who didn’t know about this connection either. I decided to do some research. This summary is from the National Human Genome Research Institution:
In 1995 and 1996, studies of DNA samples revealed that Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jews are 10 times more likely to have mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes than the general population. Approximately 2.65 percent of the Ashkenazi Jewish population has a mutation in these genes, while only 0.2 percent of the general population carries these mutations.
Further research showed that three specific mutations in these genes accounted for 90 percent of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants within this ethnic group. This contrasts with hundreds of unique mutations of these two genes within the general population. However, despite the relatively high prevalence of these genetic mutations in Ashkenazi Jews, only seven percent of breast cancers in Ashkenazi women are caused by alterations in BRCA1 and BRCA2.
I really, really, didn’t know about that Ashkenazic Jews were at higher risk. And, I have done more than my fair share of medical writing. It was probably information that I needed to know but wished I didn’t know.
However, it’s not all that clear cut. Science Daily reported in 2006 on a study in the American Journal of Public Health that challenged “This population-based approach, warning that disparities in access to care and other unintended consequences for specific ethnic groups can result, and may have already occurred.”
“The science of breast cancer genetics has been marked by methodological inconsistency in how researchers defined ‘Ashkenazi Jew,’” said study coauthor Sherry Brandt-Rauf, J.D., associate research scholar at the Center. Most scientists relied on study participants’ self-identification. Ashkenazi Jews are descended from Jews who lived in central and Eastern Europe, but a complex history of migrations, and multiple cultural and religious meanings of Ashkenazi, makes self-identification problematic.”
At any rate, I was talking with a woman who had breast cancer several years ago and she only discovered after genetic testing that she was Jewish. (The geneticist wishes her a Happy Passover.” Her family had decided to become Christians after coming to this country at the turn of the 20th century. But it was funny, this woman remembered hearing Yiddish many years ago and understanding what the women were saying. At the time she thought she was clairvoyant.
The Chicago Center for Jewish Genetics Disorders also discusses the issue. Here is its Summary of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Facts:
·Certain ethnic groups are at increased risk for having BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations; three particular mutations are more common among Ashkenazi Jews.
·Women with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 are more likely to develop breast or ovarian cancer but are not guaranteed to do so.
·A BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation is more likely to be found in an individual with a family history of particular cancers.
·Women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are more likely to get cancer at a younger age than the general population.
·Men can also have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, which puts them at an increased risk for prostate, breast, and some other cancers.
·A BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can also be passed down through the father so it is important to consider both sides of the family history.
·The decision to get tested can be very complicated. Talk to your doctor or a genetic counselor if you are interested in testing.
What does this all mean? I guess to those of us who are Jewish women, we should be very vigilant. Get regular mammograms and don’t panic. Hey, that also applies to non-Jewish women. I didn’t think I had any family history of breast cancer, but my grandmother died of some kind of cancer when I was 3. My friend who had cancer and later discovered she was Jewish suggested there was no way of knowing if whatever cancer my grandmother had was lymphoma as we know it today. Then maybe the cancer was in the lymph and then spread. I’m going to ask for genetic testing.
By the way, there is one Jewish breast cancer link that is confirmed: My certificate of Bat Mitzvah (with four other women at CSOA) from 2001 arrived on the day of my biopsy last week. And that link did not require millions of dollars in research to identify. J
My mom and I used to joke about the expression, “Now is not the time to panic.” We wondered if they – whoever they are – would send out a memo or appear on TV and radio to announce, “Now is the time to panic.” At that point we would run in circles with our hands up in the air screaming.
The good news is with technology, they can send the panic message via email, text, by Twitter and Facebook.
I haven’t received it so far. And not that I would want to cause harm to anyone else, but like Tevye asked, “Once in a while, can’t you choose someone else?”

I Took My Dog for a Walk and Came Home with Breast Cancer

2009-08-18T17:01:00.011-04:00

By: Diana Abehssera
Sharsheret Link

"If you asked me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you: I CAME TO LIVE OUT LOUD."
- Emile Zola

Shortly after my cancer diagnosis, I began to receive good-hearted advice from my family and friends. They all wanted me to go to a support group, to reach out to people who were going through the same plight. Why? Because my circle could not relate to me, they did not think they could comfort me or support me like those with cancer could. After all, how many 32 year-olds do you know with Stage III breast cancer? I was the only one that I, myself, knew and I wanted to keep it that way.
For me, I knew that it was critical to keep going at the same pace. My strength came from the living, so at each chemotherapy session, I would sit with friends who all took time from their busy schedules to join me for a round of infusion, cupcakes, funny stories, and lots of laughs. We would laugh so hard and so loud that I remember saying one time, “Guys, we have to be a little quieter, there are sick people here.” Honestly, it was only when they stopped laughing and looked at me that I realized I was one of those sick people.
It was time to reach out for help when I knew that a double radical mastectomy was the next course on the menu to health. I became desperate to speak to someone who could help me accept the surgery as treatment and understand what life would be like afterwards. It was then that I reached out to Sharsheret and spoke to a clear-minded, sympathetic, and strong-willed Clinical Supervisor, Shera Dubitsky. In one swift month leading up to my surgery, I was able to grasp the concept of my illness and finally understand that I was, in fact, sick and needed this surgery and subsequent treatment to survive. With Shera, I was able to speak about G-d, not speak about G-d, to cry, to laugh, to grieve, to accept, to move on, to learn to be happy with my “new normal” self. Reaching out to Sharsheret was one of the most rewarding experiences I had, and I cherish the generosity and kindness that I received. It was the only organization I contacted, and for me, luckily and gratefully, it was the right one.

My story goes something like this: I took my dog for a walk one beautiful August day and came home with breast cancer. Yep, that's exactly what happened. I was living my life, getting ready to go out of the country for business, and then…BOOM! Bella, my dog, tugged sharply on my arm during our walk and pulled out a massive tumor from my left armpit. To be more specific, she jerked me off the ground and what I initially thought to be a bad sprain or a torn muscle, ended up being a large mass hanging out of my left armpit. After the biopsy, we heard those haunting words that suddenly transformed our lives, breast cancer, Stage III. Yikes! I was only 32 years old, with no family history, no kids yet (after two years of trying unsuccessfully). I thought to myself, they must be JOKING!

The avocado-sized mass that my dog pulled out of my armpit was a lymph node that was already engorged with cancer. And so I was thrust into chemotherapy a few days after diagnosis. There was no time to wait, no day to waste before beginning treatment. I was told that chemo might kill my chances of ever having children, but I needed it to live today. I was told that it might cause other cancers later in my life, but I needed it to live today. I was told that it might give me heart failure in the future, but I needed it to live today. There was NO OTHER CHOICE for me. Before each treatment, I asked if they were sure that I had cancer. I sounded like a fool, but I just wanted to make sure they weren't pumping me with poison for nothing! That makes me a chemo veteran, and for those of you who are in my good company, you know that it is a war. And so I had to quit my newly-scored, travel-intensive job with a top advertising agency and assume my new role as the CEO of my cancer treatment.

I am convinced that the ONLY reason I survived this ordeal thus far, and mostly intact, is because my family and friends willed me through it. Every chemo session was a little party. Every other week as I sat in the NYU Cancer Institute, I was surrounded by my family and friends. My husband, Danny, became my rock. My parents put their lives on hold and would drive up from Virginia; my pals would drive up from surrounding states. My friends would show up and surprise me with food, with gifts, with manicures, with all sorts of tokens. We joked, we laughed, we looked at old pictures and silly magazines, we were just us, in every sense, and at no time did anyone show me pity. Their presence alone was the only inspiration that I needed to keep moving forward. Somehow everyone knew just what to do, just what to say and what NOT to say. People were flying in from as far as California and Amsterdam to sit with me through chemotherapy, to cheer me on. How could I ask for more? I would sit there with the drugs flowing into my arm and just marvel at how all of my worlds were colliding. My friends from all of my former lives were becoming friends with one another. It was a gift to me; it was the ultimate happiness and peace. In those moments I felt so loved, so lucky.

Even though I am an Ashkenazi Jew, my oncologist was almost certain that this was not a genetic cancer and recommended a lumpectomy. “Okay, I can handle that,” I thought. The only thing we were waiting for were the results of genetic testing, which was done while I was undergoing chemotherapy. I tested positive for BRCA 1 which meant that the cancer was, in fact, genetic and would return with great certainty in my lifetime. My medical team quickly recalculated all the odds and strongly recommended a double radical mastectomy. I was in my early thirties and they wanted to give me every chance possible to beat this particular cancer.

And so, that is what I did, with great difficulty. Difficult, not because of vanity, but because it was yet another hurdle to overcome and because I was afraid of losing a piece of myself, both literally and metaphorically. I could not wrap my head around it no matter what I did, not that I had much time. I finished chemotherapy on December 9, 2005 and on January 11, 2006 I had the surgery. Both breasts were removed as well as 14 lymph nodes from my left armpit.

All of the treatment, physical therapy, and surgeries took nearly two years. I was in full-blown menopause experiencing hot flashes, irritability, mood swings. My oncologist, knowing how much we wanted a child, said that he would sign all of the adoption papers we needed. Another oncologist of mine actually offered to be a surrogate for us. Friends stepped up to be egg donors. It was overwhelming and we were moved. The research for adoption options lead to dead ends from a financial perspective and also because the adoption agencies usually require that the cancer patient is in remission for at least 5 years before being approved. We looked into many options, and decided that we would become parents regardless of how it came to us. Then we dropped the issue.

In January of 2008, Danny and I returned to Israel to visit his family. We had not been there in three years because of the cancer treatment and the surgeries that followed. Although I did not grow up religious, I did want to go to the Holy Land and give thanks for surviving my cancer. That was my heartfelt wish, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I had a 2-part mission - I wanted to go to the mikvah and spiritually cleanse myself from the disease, and I wanted to go to the Kotel and give thanks to G-d for having survived the disease. And I did just that.

I went to the mikvah on January 16, and we went to the Kotel on January 17, 2008. Sometime between the mikvah and the Kotel, I became pregnant. My oncologist, upon hearing the news, told us that I was not far enough away from the cancer, that I needed to wait at least three years (it had only been two) before even thinking about trying. He told us that if we wanted to do the right thing for my health, then we would terminate the pregnancy. It was a very sad conversation for him and for us. Very quickly, I decided that I would not strip myself of this unbelievable gift and that we would deal with whatever came our way when and if it did.

We did not know what to expect from the initial baby ultrasound. Would we hear something, would we see something? Were we really pregnant, or would the ultrasound show us that this was just a dream? The technician looked at her screen and we looked at the monitor hanging from the ceiling. She was talking nonchalantly but we hung on to her every word. When she found the heartbeat she said, "There's one, and there's the other one. You have two babies!" WHAT!?! That's when time stopped and the room started to spin. It was the most defining moment of my life. Twins, it was unbelievable. My dear oncologist, who I adore, jumped on the baby train as soon as he heard that it was twins. My oncologist told me that I was his first patient to conceive post-treatment. The nursing staff told us that the entire cancer institute erupted in happiness when they heard about my pregnancy. We were so happy to share this pregnancy with everyone, to finally share and enjoy good news for once!

My oncologist and his nurse came to visit us and meet the babies in the hospital. To see my doctor hold my daughters was the full-circle moment that I hoped for but never imagined. It was magical for all of us.

And so, I write my story here to say that there IS hope. There IS life after cancer. I am beyond fortunate, and I realize that every breath is a gift. I am in love with my life. And every time I walk in my neighborhood and pass the intersection where my dog pulled my arm that day, I look up into the sky and I say sometimes to myself, sometimes aloud, "THANK YOU G-D! Thank you Bella!"

2009-07-22T09:51:00.005-04:00

Words cannot express the positive energy we are feeling here at Sharsheret! In just 8 weeks, Team Sharsheret will once again join thousands of women, men and children in Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure! We already have 100 runners/walkers signed-up to participate on Sunday, September 13th in NYC’s Central Park. Last year we had over 700 individuals join our Team. Our goal this year is to surpass that number and once again win the largest Race Team award! It's easy to join, visit http://www.komennyc.org/, click “Race for the Cure” then “Join a Team” and select “Sharsheret”. To order your Sharsheret T-Shirt or Tank top click here.

Feel the energy and be sure to join us on Race Day!

Summer Internship Program

2009-07-15T15:26:00.003-04:00

By: Rebecca Thaler

2009 Sema Heller-Netivot Shalom Summer Intern

This summer, I have the privilege of serving as the Sema Heller-Netivot Shalom intern at Sharsheret. The internship is funded by the family and friends of Sema Heller, a New Jersey mother of two who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2004, and provides a unique opportunity for a social work student to work directly with Sharsheret’s Clinical Supervisor, Shera Dubitsky, MEd, MA. I will be attending Hunter School of Social Work in the fall, and this internship is the perfect way to prepare for graduate school.

Working with Shera has been an incredible experience. I spend a significant part of each day learning the skills necessary for counseling women with breast cancer, and she is truly an excellent mentor. In addition, I am involved in a variety of meaningful projects that have a measurable impact on the quality of the services Sharsheret provides to Jewish women and families facing breast cancer across the nation. In the past few weeks, I have worked on updating Sharsheret’s resources for the Embrace and Family Focus Programs and have done research on ovarian cancer in anticipation of Sharsheret’s expansion into serving Jewish women facing ovarian cancer. I also represented Sharsheret at the Chabad On Campus International Foundation Resource Fair, where I met representatives from college campuses nationwide and promoted the Sharsheret on Campus Program.

I feel like I am truly a member of the Sharsheret team and that my presence is noticed and appreciated. The environment at Sharsheret is warm and full of energy and creativity. I especially enjoy the visits from previous Sharsheret interns who are now regular volunteers. I am so happy to be a part of Sharsheret and I look forward to seeing what’s in store for the rest of the summer!

SHARSHERET BENEFIT LUNCHEONMAY 17, 2009

2009-05-22T11:26:00.005-04:00

Rochelle L. Shoretz

Founder

Sharsheret

Good afternoon and, on behalf of the Board of Directors of Sharsheret, thank you for being here. I am Rochie Shoretz, Founder of Sharsheret and President of the Board. In these challenging economic times, we so appreciate your continued support of Sharsheret – a support that is even more vital this year for women and families facing costly medical challenges of their own.

Not many people can claim that they enjoy Board meetings of any kind. But over the years, I have had the privilege of working with an incredible group of men and women who have helped shape Sharsheret’s growth in a way that is truly inspiring. This past year, our Board of Directors undertook an extensive strategic planning process to map out the expansion of our organization to address the needs of Jewish women living with ovarian cancer, and we look forward to sharing the results of that effort with you all in the years ahead. Please join me in thanking my fellow Board members for their tireless service and their selfless dedication to Sharsheret: Sherry Cohen, Keith Mendelson, Amy Mines Tadelis, Tani Mirsky, Dana Norris, Jacob Plotsker, Nikki Sausen, Ariel Schochet, Naomi Spira, and Lauryn Weiser. None of our grand ideas as a Board could be implemented without the Director of Operations at Sharsheret, Elana Silber, who keeps us on track and moving forward, and always with a smile – no matter how great the task. And anyone who has met our staff and our interns – Shera Dubitsky, Ellen Kleinhaus, Rebecca Schwartz, Michael Lowy, and Malke Grunberger – knows how truly blessed we are at Sharsheret. Please join us in thanking Elana and the staff of Sharsheret for today’s beautiful event and for all of Sharsheret’s meaningful programs.

When I look around this room and see all 450 of you, it is hard to imagine a time without Sharsheret. But eight years ago, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time, there was no organization dedicated to supporting young Jewish women facing breast cancer. I was 28 years old, raising two young children, and more than anything, I felt alone.

I have often said that Sharsheret’s success is not the product of one woman’s efforts – that there are thousands of angels who are sitting on my shoulders as Sharsheret grows at a remarkable pace. But these past few months, I have had the privilege of sitting on Sharsheret’s shoulders as I face breast cancer a second time. After my mastectomy in February, I received a Pillow of Support from Sharsheret to elevate my arm, just as so many of you have. Sharsheret’s Link Program has connected me with another woman who opted for the same reconstructive surgery that I was considering. And as I struggle with the concerns of a woman living with Stage IV breast cancer, I have had the support of Sharsheret’s Embrace Program, designed to address the needs of those living with advanced breast cancer. The Sharsheret, the chain, of support that I began eight years ago has come full circle. I began as a link in that chain and now use the strength of other links for my own support.

I am no longer alone in my journey. I have a Sharsheret family.

You are all a part of that Sharsheret family. And, as with all family, we will share good news and we will share sad news. I know that my latest diagnosis is difficult for all of us, and the staff and I thought long and hard about how and when we would share that news. Eight years ago, there was nothing more frightening than the thought of being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer for which, as yet, there is no known cure. But I want to reassure you all that, like so many of our Sharsheret callers diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer, I am living and enjoying life, one day at a time.

A friend recently invited me out late at night and though I'm always game for fun, I replied via text that I couldn't meet because I was "headed to the DR" the very next day. Two days later, I received a very thoughtful email from the same friend who wanted to know how my doctor's appointment had gone. "I'm on vacation in the Dominican Republic", I texted back. "DR", as in "Dominican Republic" - not "doctor".

The moral of that true story is: I'm living life. I'm not lying on an examination table every day. Sometimes, I'm just lying on the beach. Yes, I am busy with treatments and scans, and I spend lots of time in waiting rooms. But I will continue to weave all this into the fabric of my REAL life - a life that is full of laughter and overflowing with the love of friends and family – my sons, Shlomo and Dovid, my parents and siblings, and of course, my Sharsheret family.

Our guests of honor today – Rochelle Hirsch and Naava Parker - formed their own unique family and, together, created a resource to help other families with young children who are facing breast cancer. Rochelle and Naava, both breast cancer survivors, were introduced by a mutual friend and co-authored “Lumps and Bumps”, a book for children that has recently been purchased by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for its youth support program. Like all of Sharsheret’s links and callers, these incredible women began as strangers, but became fast friends, as they used their talents and their shared experience to help others facing the same challenges they had faced years ago.

This is not Rochelle’s first entrepreneurial endeavor. The founder of the 18 year-old Creative Playschool at Fifth Avenue Synagogue and its current chairman, Rochelle and her husband of 37 years, David, were also the original founders of the Upper East Side Hatzolah.

Naava has served as a Sharsheret link for many years and, with her family in Englewood, has been active at the UJA, Emunah, Congregation Ahavat Torah, Ramaz, and the Moriah School.

Naava Parker and Rochelle Hirsch are stellar examples of women who use the experience of their own difficult journeys to smooth the path for those walking behind them. I know firsthand what an impact a book like theirs can have on a family struggling with breast cancer. The morning of my most recent surgery, I woke up to find my boys reading “Lumps and Bumps” to each other at the breakfast table. Naava had thoughtfully dropped off an advance copy of the book at my home, and the boys flipped through the pages as they prepared to start their day. I know that the book reassured them that breast cancer happens to lots of other families. But more important, “Lumps and Bumps” reassured me, their mom, that my childrens’ experience had been validated.

Rochelle and Naava’s undertaking in light of their own experience is an inspiration to all of the women of Sharsheret. They have continued the Sharsheret tradition of turning adversity into opportunity. For their contribution to the breast cancer community and to the community of women and families we serve, Sharsheret is proud to recognize Rochelle Hirsch and Naava Parker.

Rochelle Hirsch's Remarks

2009-05-20T17:43:00.007-04:00

Rochelle Hirsch
My Journey
Guest of Honor
Sharsheret Benefit Luncheon 2009

It was Tuesday, May 28th 2002
For a routine mammogram I was due
I will never forget that look of shock and surprise
As my doctor couldn’t believe what was before her eyes

Breast cancer was not what I had in mind
Colon cancer was more my family kind
How could this happen to a woman like me
Breast cancer is non discriminatory- it knows no boundary

I looked at my husband with tears in my eyes
Begging him to make it go away, as I started to cry
But there was nothing that anyone could do
I began the journey my entire family was forced to go through

Naava Parker's Remarks

2009-05-20T17:38:00.005-04:00

Naava Parker
Guest of Honor
Sharsheret Benefit Luncheon 2009

No one asks for breast cancer, I certainly didn’t. I even used to joke that had anyone asked me I would have responded,
“No thank you, I’ll pass.” No one ever asked.

We don’t know what life has in store for us from one second to the next. We have little control over anything. The only thing we do have control over is how we deal with what gets thrown at us. When I found out that I had cancer I had to make a conscious decision on how I wanted to handle it.

If I got better, did I want to waste a year of my life being sad and angry, or find what made me grateful be happy and take the lessons that I learned to better my life.

I chose happy and I can tell you it wasn’t easy. The way I looked at it –there is no down side to being happy. That is not to say that I didn’t have my moments of sad and miserable but I found happy was a much better place to be. I believe it was this first decision that helped my family and me get through this with faith and optimism, making each day count.

I felt lucky for so many reasons; I had a family that was so supportive. My husband Jeffrey went to every doctors appointment helped to get me to the doctors that I needed to see, took care of more things than I can even list-------. My children David, Jeremy and Sabina were there to love me (and to give me a purpose). My mother also went to every appointment, became another set of ears to remember what the doctors had said and made me laugh even when there was nothing to laugh about, a real gift ------. My father (alav Hashalom) made sense of all the medical information and researched all the different decisions that were necessary to make, along with the help of my brother. My sister was my personal shopper; chef and confidant--------- My sisters-in-laws and brothers in-laws were there for anything that fell through the cracks. I had a community of friends and family that showered me with care.

I was also very lucky that I was connected to three wonderful woman who when I called picked up the phone and were generous with their time and advice even though we had not as yet met. My Sharsheret women, Jessica Gribetz, Marci Cappel and Rochelle Hirsch, I can never thank you enough for all that you have done for me. Because of how grateful I was for all of your help to me I now speak to other newly diagnosed women in the attempt to help them as I had been helped by you.

Since being diagnosed with breast cancer I have spoken to many woman and have learned that we all handle our diagnoses differently and we all have a right to the decisions we make for ourselves. Many women prefer to keep their diagnoses of cancer to themselves and for these woman there is little or no support. For these women Sharsheret plays an invaluable role. They can get linked to someone who will speak to them, give support and keep their confidence.

Sitting in the chemo chair for the first time surrounded by family, I felt so grateful and I remember making a vow that should I get through this I had to do something positive with this experience. It was in that chair that the idea for a book developed.

(I want to thank my cousin Shera Tuchman for introducing me to her friend Rochelle Hirsch.
I want to thank Rochie (the founder of Sharsheret) for getting Rochelle and me to get this book out of my book bag, to see the light of day. Things happen for a reason - at least I think they do. As I was sitting Shiva for my father, Rochie and Rochelle were seated next to each other at a luncheon where Rochelle showed Roche our book, and here we are today.

Lumps and Bumps was a collaborative effort. I had done some research for another book idea and found out that there were no children’s books for children whose mothers had breast cancer. Being mothers ourselves and knowing first hand how hard it is to share a breast cancer diagnoses with our own children we knew how helpful a book on this subject would be. I mentioned the need to Rochelle and she replied, “I can do that! I write poems for people’s simchas”. Within a week she had written a story in verse. She then called me and said “you’re artistic - would you illustrate it?” I had never illustrated anything before. I didn’t know if I would be able to, so I tried, and many, many pictures later I am an Illustrator! Together we worked on the story the words and pictures. Two years, and many revisions later we have a book! As the book developed so did we. I know that I can speak for Rochelle and tell you that we feel very proud of this book. We put our hearts and souls into LUMPS AND BUMPS. Our hope is that this book will help the many families facing breast cancer, to help them at a very difficult time, by giving them the tools to start a dialogue and to let them know that they are not alone. It is sensitive to both the mother and the children they will read it to. This story belongs to many, and we hope this book can serve as a guide.

In closing I would like to quote my mother quoting my grandmother -------------------------
G-d’s salvation can happen in the blink of an eye. Good health to us all! Thank you so much for coming and supporting Sharsheret.

Suffy Rudman's Remarks

2009-05-20T14:27:00.032-04:00

Suffy Rudman
Lisa Altman Volunteer Tribute Award
Sharsheret Benefit Luncheon 2009

Every person has a unique way of expressing their emotion. Some people laugh, some people cry, and some do nothing at all. I sing. It is the way I express my feeling, spirit and character. Music has always had the power to touch my soul, and singing has always been my most expressive tool.

A few years ago I learned that my dear friend was battling breast cancer. Wanting to help her in any way I was able, I started attending the Sharsheret breakfasts. Year after year, I was truly inspired by the strength of the women involved in Sharsheret. Not only were the survivors courageous and exceptional people, but the leaders and volunteers of the organization were just as impressive. The dedication and the manner in which their services were being presented, was truly remarkable. I remember one year sitting at one of these tables thinking to myself- how can I contribute to all of this? The only inspiration that I knew how to provide was with my music, my singing.

2009-03-25T09:41:00.002-04:00

By: Diane Becker Krasnick
Sharsheret National Advisory Board member

I just received a copy of your newsletter and was quite pleasantly surprised at its content. I have no idea how I got on your mailing list, but I'm thrilled to know that a group like yours exists I am BRCA 1 positive and am an 8 year survivor of stage 3b breast cancer with 20 positive nodes. I had a bilateral mastectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, 18 months of weekly chemo and 5 weeks of daily radiation. I was also one of the 1000 women included in the clinical trial for Herceptin. Before I moved here [St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands] 2 years ago from Madison, Wisconsin, (to become the Cantor at the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas), I gave a number of presentations about Jewish breast cancer hereditary issues and the BRCA mutation. Also, check out my personal breast cancer website: http://www.onlydiane.com/. I would love to be a Sharsheret Link!

2009-03-24T09:21:00.006-04:00

By: Nira Berry
Sharsheret National Advisory Board Member

Sharsheret was well represented today at the press conference at the Capitol! It was really moving when Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz gave her background to the press today. There wasn't a dry eye in the room, including the Congresswoman herself, when she spoke of her own experience this year battling breast cancer. She had me and the other breast cancer organizations stand next to her (maybe you can catch her press conference on TV) and spoke to me afterwards about Sharsheret. I attached a photo! (I am on the left)

Sharsheret in Washington, DC

2009-03-19T08:22:00.008-04:00

By: Nira Berry
Sharsheret National Advisory Board Member

Wow! Meeting with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) today was very interesting and exciting! I'm so happy to learn about this Legislative bill that she is proposing to be passed by Congress. Its nickname is "The Early Act". This bill is proposing nationwide early detection, early education, early information -early everything! The bill is also proposing grants to organizations that support young breast cancer survivors. It's gotten approval already by the CDC and they are planning for this to have a major impact as far as educating the public as the anti-tobacco campaign did years ago. I can't tell you how happy I was that this is finally being done! This is a photo of me (in the middle) and a few other organization representatives such as Hillel, BBYO in front of the Rayburn House Office building where the meeting was held.

Our Voices

2009-03-03T20:57:00.001-05:00

I am a breast cancer survivor, and recently contacted Sharsheret, because I would like to become a link.

Like an invincible teenager, I was never going to get cancer. This mind set led to almost never doing self breast exams, and waiting 3 years between routine mammograms. What a shocker when that routine mammogram in August 2007 (at age 44) led so quickly to the diagnosis of the big “C.”

We dreaded telling the kids, but couldn’t delay, as we were worried that they would hear about it inadvertently from a phone message. They took the news better than expected, and offered many words of encouragement. Our son, who had just turned 12, approached me in the kitchen to say “It sucks that you have cancer.” Our 7 year old daughter wanted to feel the lump, although with her one tiny pointer finger, she wasn’t able to really feel anything. Then for the next few days, she approached me often to say “I’m sorry you have a bump, mommy,” and “How did you get that bump?”

Being active duty in the Navy, I received my medical treatment at Bethesda National Medical Center. I was blessed with an excellent and compassionate medical team, everyone from the doctors, my nurse case manager, the hospital corpsmen, and the humorous therapists in Radiation Oncology.

I learned a lot about my family, friends and acquaintances during this time. Some found it uncomfortable to talk with me, but many of my relationships deepened tremendously during this time, and it still brings tears to my eyes to think of the overwhelming support and love that I received from family and friends.

Take It From Me: Recording My Experiences in My Own Way

2009-03-02T13:26:00.011-05:00

By: Ellen Kleinhaus, Ed.M., M.A
Project Manager, Sharsheret

Tomorrow night Sharsheret is presenting a Free National Teleconference, “Take It From Me: Recording My Experiences in My Own Way” from 8:00 – 9:30 P.M. (EST). We are excited to have three guest speakers:

Linda Blachman, MPH, MA, Founder and Executive Director, Mothers, Living Stories Project speaking about writing and recording your life stories.

Janet Ruth Falon, MLA, Creative Writing Teacher, University of Pennsylvania, discussing the process of journaling through breast cancer as a means of self-awareness and self-expression.

Jill Cohen, Blogger of Dancing With Cancer: Living With Mets and a “New Normal” sharing with us the reasons why she blogs.

A transcript of the teleconference will be available on Sharsheret’s website, http://www.sharsheret.org/, in the upcoming weeks.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this teleconference and please feel free to share your own experiences by commenting below.

Sharsheret Intern Experience

2009-02-09T16:46:00.005-05:00

This is my first post on the Sharsheret blog; hopefully it will be my first of many. Sharsheret has gone from being an organization that I always heard about from my mother and read about in the Jewish Standard, to an active part of my life. This past summer I was one of the Sema Heller-Netivot Shalom Interns and it gave me the opportunity to join the Sharsheret team forever and truly make a difference. My experience at Sharsheret was so much better than I could have imagined. I learned so much about the fabulous programs and support Sharsheret has to offer to young Jewish women facing breast cancer and all of the volunteer opportunities that they provide for individuals to make a difference in their own way.
I am now back in college, at the University of Maryland, but my Sharsheret work has not ended. This past semester I co-chaired “Manicure for a Cure”, which was an event through Hillel and several other campus organizations held on campus and all proceeds were given to Sharsheret. What girl could pass up a cheap manicure and an opportunity to give charity?! We had a wonderful time! The Sharsheret video was streaming on screen and the room was decked-out in pink; pink M&M’s, pink lemonade, pink napkins and we had great Sharsheret giveaways and booklets. I look forward to planning more Sharsheret events here at school, spreading the word about this wonderful organization and getting more people involved!

DOES YOUR FAMILY MATTER?

2009-02-09T15:05:00.005-05:00

By Niecee Schonberger, MS, CGC, Genetics Program Coordinator, Sharsheret

As a Genetic Counselor, part of my job is to construct family trees with information about medical history, ages of onset of various conditions, etc. of family members going back several generations. It’s amazing how many people don’t know what Grandma Leah died of, how old sister Sarah was when she was diagnosed with cancer, what caused the death of cousin Jacob at age 7, how many children aunt Millie had, and so on. Why is this important? You ask.

It’s important because your family history gives the best idea of whether a condition, such as breast cancer, may be inherited or is simply the result of sporadic, individual factors, which is the case in 90-95% of breast cancers. If it seems to be inherited, then genetic testing may be helpful. If it’s sporadic, genetic testing may be a waste of time plus a lot of money.

So, here’s a plan. In just about every family, there’s a “family historian”, someone who knows all about everyone. If you sit down with her or him, you’ll probably get an earful and learn things you never knew, but along with the tidbits and the gossip, you’ll learn the useful, and sometimes surprising, information that can be important when you try to gauge whether there is a genetic susceptibility in your family. What have you learned about your family that you never knew? How did it help you?