From Patient to Survivor to Social Worker: How Sharsheret Changed My Life
I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, more specifically a germ cell tumor of the ovary, over 10 years ago. I had just graduated from college and was heading to graduate school in Israel when I was diagnosed. My world was turned upside down, to say the least.
My alma mater and summer camp had presentations and fundraisers for Sharsheret, so I was aware of their services but had thought that it was only for women with breast cancer or older women. At the time of my diagnosis, I was only 21 so I was in this strange middle ground where I wasn’t quite a fit for pediatric support services but also on the very young end of adult support services. That did not stop Sharsheret though! Sharsheret took me under their wing from Day 1. I was connected to an amazing peer supporter and support specialist. I talked to each of them almost daily throughout my many months of treatment. I knew I could reach out to them at any time.
Sharsheret continued supporting me in survivorship, long after my treatment ended. I was invited to speak at several Sharsheret events in Los Angeles and New York. My favorite event was speaking for The Moth at the American Academy of Medicine and sharing my story with Sharsheret supporters in 2017.
Fast forward to today—
I am a clinical social worker and therapist with my own private practice, married, and have a 16-month-old baby. These were all things that did not seem plausible at the time of my diagnosis, treatment, or the immediate aftermath. Each time I marked a milestone such as graduating with my MSW from UCLA, getting engaged and married, and having a baby, I contacted Sharsheret to share in my simcha (joyous time).
More than 10 years later, Sharsheret is still in my life. I am very grateful for everything they have done for me and my family over the years and look forward to continuing our very special relationship.