Sharsheret Symposium To Address The Unique Impact Of Breast Cancer Genetics On The Sephardic Jewish Woman

Teaneck, New Jersey (March 18, 2008) – Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization supporting Jewish women facing breast cancer, the Sephardic Community Center, and the Sephardic Bikur Holim will present a free breast cancer genetics symposium, “Genetics and the Sephardic Jewish Woman: Understanding Our Past, Guarding Our Future,” Wednesday, March 26, 2008, 7:30 p.m. at the Sephardic Community Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Geneticist Dr. Harry Ostrer, Oncologist Dr. Ruth Oratz, and Sharsheret Executive Director Eillene Leistner will discuss new research on genetic susceptibility for Jewish women of Sephardi descent, breast cancer surveillance recommendations for all women, and support options available to Jewish women and their families facing breast cancer. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions from the speakers during a question and answer session.

The symposium was made possible with generous support from the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

For reservations, please call Sari Setton at (718) 954-3140 or Linda Eber at (718) 954-3155.

About Sharsheret
Since the organization’s founding in 2001, Sharsheret has received more than 13,000 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 by telephone and online on the Sharsheret Forum.
• Education and Outreach Programs, including health care symposia addressing the concerns of Jewish women and younger women facing breast cancer, Sharsheret Supports, a national model for local support groups, and Family Focus, a program for caregivers and family members.
• Quality of Life Programs, including the Busy Box for children with a parent facing breast cancer, Best Face Forward to address the cosmetic side effects of treatment, Empower, for single women facing breast cancer, Genetics for Life to focus on concerns and issues relating to hereditary breast cancer, and Embrace, a support program for women living with advanced breast cancer.

For more information about Sharsheret and the Sephardic Symposium, please call Director of Operations Elana Silber at (866) 474-2774.