I was sitting in the hallway of a hotel somewhere in Pennsylvania. I was a sophomore in college, a counselor on a youth group retreat. It was 2003. Pre-family what’s app and group texting and social media. My mom called me on Saturday night. “I had a doctor’s appointment… Continue reading
For as long as I can remember, breast and ovarian cancer were a part of my family. But the cancer was on my father’s side, affecting relatives much older than I, so I naively told myself I had nothing to worry about. And then, last year, I got the call. Cancer had hit… Continue reading
When Marlene was shockingly diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in the Spring of 2016, our loving marriage of nearly 45 years was suddenly faced with the challenges of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Although Marlene was the one who had to endure this difficult and… Continue reading
As October comes to an end and breast cancer awareness month wraps up it is a great time to learn about the latest advances in breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction awareness day or ‘BRA day’ carves out one day in October to highlight all of the options available to… Continue reading
Growing up with two rabbis as parents, I was not only allowed to question everything – I was encouraged to do so. While I have applied this approach to academics, my career, relationships, and so many other facets of my life, I am most grateful for how it has made me an… Continue reading
“Are you of Ashkenazi Jewish Descent” It’s one of the first things asked of a new cancer patient. If you live somewhere without a strong Jewish community, this can make you feel extra different and lonely. That’s how I felt and why I was so comforted to find Sharsheret,… Continue reading
March 14, 2014. The day I became part of the Sharsheret family. Rochie Shoretz, Sharsheret’s Founder, messaged me on Facebook to be her trainer. I knew she had received the numbers of multiple trainers and I was honored that she had chosen me. I remember the first… Continue reading
For my mitzvah project, I have decided to work with Sharsheret. Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization, improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer through personalized support and saves lives… Continue reading
Thanks to changes in workplace laws and policies, having a disability does not preclude one from having a successful and fulfilling career. However, with regard to disabilities in general, it’s important to consider not only the more physically obvious ones, but also those… Continue reading
In my work at Sharsheret, I frequently tell my “Sharsheret story” in which I relay the ways in which Sharsheret supported my mom during her breast cancer treatment. This story brings a personal note to the work that I do, and explains why I am in the role I am in… Continue reading
