Time Flies When You’re Having Fun
It’s true when they say time flies when you’re having fun.
This summer I had the privilege of interning at Sharsheret. I cannot believe that it has already been nine weeks, and my time at Sharsheret is almost over!
When I first heard about Sharsheret, I did not understand how breast and ovarian cancer were Jewish concerns. I did not understand genetic risk or culturally relevant support. However, over the past nine weeks, I have watched Sharsheret staff with inspiration as they provided individualized support to callers, matched peer supporters, worked with healthcare professionals to provide culturally relevant support to patients, worked on national outreach programs, attended conferences, organized teleconferences, webinars, and medical symposia as resources for survivors and tools to educate others about the most up to date cancer research, and worked with athletes and volunteers to raise awareness about Sharsheret’s mission.
Sharsheret is an extremely welcoming place. I remember how nervous I was my first day as an intern. However, Sharsheret staff went out of their way to make me feel welcome as a member of their team, even on my first day. The passion, dedication, and kindness of Sharsheret staff is contagious, as one cannot help but smile in awe when walking into the Sharsheret office. The office is always bustling with volunteers, students, and staff. The phone is constantly ringing in the clinical office, and the fulfillment center is always bustling with activity as Thriving Again kits, Busy Boxes, and Best Face Forward kits are being sent out to women.
Each day I am more and more amazed by Sharsheret. The callers, the volunteers, the impact, and the energy the organization has is unmatchable. But I am most inspired by the women. The links that keep Sharsheret’s chain growing. The women who debate undergoing genetic testing. The mother newly diagnosed who is already looking to serve as a resource for others. The wife who just finished her first round of chemo. Women at all different stages in their cancer journeys, diagnosed at various stages. The woman who called Sharsheret right before surgery to thank us for our support. We must thank these women for their bravery, courage, and constant inspiration because without them Sharsheret would not exist.
As I near the end of my time at Sharsheret, I want to thank all the women, volunteers, staff, and Sharsheret supporters that help make Sharsheret the incredible organization that it is. I am sad to be leaving, but I look forward to continuing to support Sharsheret and spreading the word about this amazing organization!