There was a moment immediately following the phone call where I was told that I had breast cancer where I became frozen. I stood, still on the phone with the nurse practitioner as she was telling me what I needed to do next, but I wasn’t listening (although I probably should… Continue reading →

When I turned thirty, I learned I was a BRCA carrier. Since then, I have read many articles and books relating to nutrition and cancer. It is daunting to know that some of the foods we eat can possibly make a difference in the growth of cancer cells. As a mother of three young… Continue reading →

According to tradition, in the ten days between Rosh Hashanah, the start of the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Hebrew calendar, meant for atonement and repentance, each person’s fate is written and sealed into the book of life. Shortly after the… Continue reading →

When my aunt passed away at 47 from metastatic breast cancer, my family considered it an odd coincidence that my grandmother had lost a sister at 47 to breast cancer, too. Then my grandmother passed from metastatic breast cancer 6 months later.By the time I was pregnant with… Continue reading →

Over the past few years I have been studying the soul traits in Judaism of humility, gratitude, patience, alacrity, anger, trust, honor, faith and forgiveness. They have helped me become more aware and compassionate in my life, and have allowed me to better deal with my cancer… Continue reading →

It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from Sharsheret. Initially, I came to Sharsheret as a volunteer in 2003; I became a member of the professional staff two years later. To say this has been an experience of a lifetime is an understatement. The thousands of… Continue reading →

Exactly two years ago I finished a battle I never thought I would face: cancer. At 21 years old, a life threatening diagnosis is the last thing you expect to face. I graduated from Binghamton University in May 2015, just like my peers did. I packed up all of my stuff and headed… Continue reading →

This summer I had the privilege to work as the Florida Intern for Sharsheret. I cannot believe this incredible experience is coming to a close. When I first heard about Sharsheret at the Stern College cake wars, I had no idea the extent of what Sharsheret does or how breast… Continue reading →

This summer I had the privilege and honor of working as Sema Heller – Netivot Shalom Summer Intern. As a graduate student at Silberman School of Social Work, I was looking for a meaningful experience for the summer between my years as a social work student. When my mother, who… Continue reading →

At the staff retreat that I attended as a summer intern, we were asked to label Sharsheret using one word. The first word that came to my mind was “stories.” What continues to amaze me about the work that Sharsheret does is the intense focus on the importance of every… Continue reading →