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
My mom was my best friend. We never went through the typical mother-daughter struggles. We enjoyed spending time together, whether it was traveling, or just hanging out at home. She celebrated her 50th birthday by taking me and my brother on a trip to Hong Kong, one of her… Continue reading
Who shall live and who shall die You probably recognize this line from the Yom Kippur liturgy. A cancer patient faces this question in a very real and emotional way. Thanks to modern medicine, there are more and more people surviving their diagnoses each year. That leaves us… Continue reading
A diagnosis of cancer often comes unexpectedly, stirring up many challenging emotions. Typically decisions must be made expediently and treatment quickly initiated. One important consideration that should not be overlooked is future fertility. As cancer treatment continues to… Continue reading
My father and I were bound by birth. While my mother did all the work (gladly I believe), I decided to appear on my father’s birthday. Tied together by the stars, my father and I share a friendship that is above most other connections in my life. We are both fiercely… Continue reading
Dr. Ricanati is a women’s health and wellness physician, writer and consultant. To learn more about her practice visit: Instagram: @Housecallsforwellness Website: www.housecallsforwellness.com I make challah every week. Unless I am traveling, I make challah every Friday.… Continue reading
Beginning the second night of Passover until the night before the holiday of Shavuot, many Jews engage in the ritual of the counting of the Omer, the 49 days from Passover to Shavuot. The counting signifies a link between the Exodus from Egypt and slavery to the giving of the… Continue reading
I have a memory from during chemotherapy nearly three years ago of going on a walk to have lunch with a friend. By the time we got to our lunch spot, after thirty minutes, I was out of breath and exhausted. It felt like I had climbed Mt. Everest. Now, three years later, I am… Continue reading
Just a few days after my 12th birthday, my maternal grandmother, Sara Grodnik, passed away. She was 60 years old. Though I didn’t know exactly what her illness was, the last few years of her life were occupied with a series of surgeries and procedures that kept her in the… Continue reading
By Rachel Beller, MS, RDN, Founder and CEO of Beller Nutritional Institute and Creator of PowerPerks I know, “cruciferous vegetables” sounds like something scary from a Harry Potter movie — definitely not appetizing! Well let me tell you why you'll soon love all things… Continue reading
“In my room watching Netflix, I did not expect what was coming. When my mom walked in and said, “Come here pumpkin, let’s talk.” The hurt in her eyes was as loud as a tree falling. She pulled me close and told me the news. She said, “I have breast… Continue reading
Breast density is a buzz word that seems to be all the rage these days. In 2009 it became a hot topic when the state of Connecticut became the first state to enact the breast density laws requiring women undergoing mammography to be informed of the risks posed by breast density.… Continue reading
Excerpted from remarks made during the February 7, 2017 Peer Support Training As I do when I begin a conversation with a woman with whom I have been matched as a peer supporter, I will begin by briefly sharing my story. I do this as a peer supporter to give the person on the… Continue reading
As we approach the Passover holiday, we recall the journey that the Israelites took when they left Egypt, a journey that took them from a place of familiar (albeit enslaved) circumstances to a wilderness of unfamiliar twists, turns, and obstacles. Their guidance system A… Continue reading
