Sharsheret Launches Online Forum for Young Jewish Women Facing Breast Cancer and Their Families

Teaneck, New Jersey (December 5, 2005) – Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization supporting young Jewish women facing breast cancer, has launched the Sharsheret Forum on its website, www.sharsheret.org. The online, moderated Forum allows Jewish women facing breast cancer to post and respond to questions and concerns, and is designed to accommodate the needs of women who seek privacy in connecting with others who share their diagnosis and lifestyle. Family members and caregivers also benefit from participating in the Forum by sharing strategies with other caregivers who are facing similar challenges and concerns. Forum topics include facing breast cancer as a Jewish woman, dating and relationships through cancer, living with advanced breast cancer, and breast cancer genetics.

“Facing breast cancer can be overwhelming and its grip may extend to family, community, dating, fertility, marriage, parenting, and religious life,” said Elana Silber, Sharsheret’s Program Director. “The Sharsheret Forum provides a culturally sensitive space for women, their families, and friends to seek support and guidance in addressing their concerns. The Forum is convenient and confidential, fundamental qualities of all of Sharsheret’s programs and services.”

The Sharsheret Forum is supported by a grant from the Kaminer family in memory of Phyllis Kaminer.

About Sharsheret
Since the organization’s founding in 2001, Sharsheret has received over 7,000 phone calls from those affected by breast cancer, health care professionals, women’s organizations, Jewish organizations, and others interested in learning more about the important services Sharsheret provides nationwide.

Sharsheret has developed three core programs in response to the needs of young Jewish women facing breast cancer: The Link Program, a peer support network connecting young women newly diagnosed or at high risk of developing breast cancer with others who share similar diagnoses and experiences, Education and Outreach Programs, including health care symposia addressing the concerns of young women facing breast cancer, and Quality of Life Programs, including the Busy Box for young parents facing breast cancer, Best Face Forward to address the cosmetic side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and Embrace for women living with advanced breast cancer.

For more information about Sharsheret and the new Sharsheret Forum, please call Program Director Elana Silber at (866) 474-2774.