New Sharsheret Program Empowers Single Jewish Women Facing Breast Cancer
Teaneck, New Jersey (February 12, 2007) — Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization supporting young Jewish women facing breast cancer, has launched Empower, a new program designed to address the unique needs of single Jewish women living with breast cancer. Sharsheret recognizes that single women living with breast cancer in the Jewish community face unique concerns including dating and disclosure, navigating family issues, and the impact of treatment on fertility.
In an effort to tailor the support women receive, Empower will provide resources and information packets focusing on issues unique to single women facing breast cancer. The program will also offer a teleconference series addressing dating strategies, body-image/self-image, Jewish holidays, and career and the workplace. “Sharsheret often receives phone calls from single women living with breast cancer in the Jewish community,” said Link Program Coordinator Shera Dubitsky. “By addressing the health and support needs of single women diagnosed with or facing the risk of developing breast cancer, Sharsheret’s Empower program will arm these women with critical information and an opportunity to connect in a comfortable community of their peers.”
Sharsheret will present the first Empower Teleconference, “Dating and Disclosure,” on Monday, March 19, 2007, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. (EST). Teleconference topics will include dating strategies, concerns about fertility, and the need for support during breast cancer treatment and beyond.
About Sharsheret
Since the organization’s founding in 2001, Sharsheret has received more than 10,000 phone calls from those affected by breast cancer, health care professionals, women’s organizations, Jewish organizations, and others interested in learning more about the important services Sharsheret provides nationwide.
Sharsheret has developed three core programs in response to the needs of young Jewish women facing breast cancer: The Link Program, a peer support network connecting young women newly diagnosed or at high risk of developing breast cancer with others who share similar diagnoses and experiences, Education and Outreach Programs, including health care symposia addressing the concerns of young women facing breast cancer, and Quality of Life Programs, including the Busy Box for young parents facing breast cancer, Best Face Forward to address the cosmetic side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and Embrace, a support program for women living with advanced breast cancer.
For more information and to register for the Empower Teleconference, please call Director of Operations Elana Silber at (866) 474-2774.