National Jewish Cancer Organization to Open Regional Office in South Florida
Contact:
Elana Silber, Director of Operations
Telephone: (866) 474-2774
E-Mail: [email protected]
Hollywood, Florida (June 17, 2013) – Sharsheret, Hebrew for “chain”, a national not-for-profit organization supporting young women and their families, of all Jewish backgrounds, facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer, will open its first regional office on Monday, June 17, 2013. The regional office will be located in South Florida, a vibrant and growing area of Jewish life with strong Sharsheret connections.
“We look forward to increasing our presence in South Florida and making a significant impact on the local community,” said Sharsheret’s Florida Regional Director Briana Schwarz. “South Florida is an ideal location for Sharsheret to conduct community outreach and education about the unique issues of Jewish women and families at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer.” 1 in 40 Jews of Ashkenazi descent carries a mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, increasing significantly the likelihood of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in mutation carriers.
Ms. Schwarz, a Florida native, joins Sharsheret’s staff with significant experience in community outreach and an already developed passion for Sharsheret’s mission. An alumna of AEPhi, the national Jewish sorority that named Sharsheret one of its national philanthropies, Ms. Schwarz has worked on Sharsheret programming on campus.
“We are excited to welcome Ms. Schwarz to our growing team, and to enhance Sharsheret’s already extensive network in South Florida,” said Rochelle Shoretz, Sharsheret’s Executive Director.
To learn more about Sharsheret’s work in South Florida, contact [email protected] and follow @SharsheretFLA on Twitter.
ABOUT SHARSHERET
Sharsheret, Hebrew for “chain”, is a national not-for-profit organization supporting young women and their families, of all Jewish backgrounds, facing breast cancer. Our mission is to offer a community of support to women diagnosed with breast cancer or at increased genetic risk, by fostering culturally-relevant individualized connections with networks of peers, health professionals, and related resources.
Since Sharsheret’s founding in 2001, we have responded to more than 30,000 breast cancer inquiries, involved more than 2,200 peer supporters, and presented over 250 educational programs nationwide. Sharsheret supports young Jewish women and families facing breast cancer at every stage—before, during, and after diagnosis. We help women and families connect to our community in the way that feels most comfortable, taking into consideration their stage of life, diagnosis, or treatment, as well as their connection to Judaism. We also provide educational resources, offer specialized support to those facing ovarian cancer or at high risk of developing cancer, and create programs for women and families to improve their quality of life. All Sharsheret’s programs are open to all women and men.
Sharsheret offers the following national programs:
The Link Program
• Peer Support Network, connecting women newly diagnosed or at high risk of developing breast cancer one-on-one with others who share similar diagnoses and experiences
• EmbraceTM, supporting women living with advanced breast cancer
• Genetics for Life®, addressing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
• Thriving Again®, providing individualized support, education, and survivorship plans for young breast cancer survivors
• Busy Box®, for young parents facing breast cancer
• Best Face Forward®, addressing the cosmetic side effects of treatment
• Family Focus®, providing resources and support for caregivers and family members
• Ovarian Cancer Program, tailored resources and support for young Jewish women and families facing ovarian cancer
• Sharsheret SupportsTM, developing local support groups and programs
Education and Outreach Programs
• Health Care Symposia, on issues unique to younger women facing breast cancer
• Sharsheret on Campus, outreach and education to students on campus
• Sharsheret Educational Resource Booklet Series, culturally-relevant publications for Jewish women and their families and healthcare professionals
© Sharsheret 2013
###