Breast Cancer and ovarian cancer support
What is Sharsheret
A leader in Jewish breast and ovarian cancer support that complements medical care with emotional guidance, peer connection, genetic education, and family resources.
Find your way forward
Story, Mission, and Impact
Sharsheret is the leading Jewish breast cancer and ovarian cancer organization. Our U.S. and Israel support networks help those who are facing a breast cancer or ovarian cancer diagnosis with social workers, peer supporter, and genetic counselors offering support.
Mission Statement
Sharsheret, a Jewish not-for-profit organization, provides personalized support, lifesaving education, financial assistance and genetic counseling to empower those faced with or at increased genetic risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
We provide lifesaving education programs that raise awareness about early detection, genetic risk, and practical steps people can take.
We share personalized resources for people at every stage of a cancer diagnosis and engage in conversations to help you understand your genetics and connection to familial cancers.
We support caregivers who are navigating the emotional and practical challenges of caring for someone they love.
We offer financial assistance so you can focus on your health and care.
Learn what we do.
What is Sharsheret?
At Sharsheret, our mission is simple and powerful: to improve the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast cancer or ovarian cancer through personalized support and educational outreach.
We’re driven by community, strengthened by research, healthcare, and Jewish communal partnerships, dedicated to financial assistance, and committed to serving every person who reaches out — with dignity, respect, and understanding.
Sharsheret’s credibility is recognized at the highest levels.
We are here to listen, to steady the ground beneath you and to help you understand the next step — one moment at a time.
Member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women, shaping messaging and programs at the national level.
Recognized as the model for culturally-relevant breast cancer support and awarded two multi-year federal grants by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop support programs.
Recognized as the model for culturally-relevant breast cancer support and awarded two multi-year federal grants by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop support programs.
Active participant in psychosocial research studies and evaluations in partnership with federal agencies and major cancer centers, including Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center.
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
4-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.
When I reached out to Sharsheret, I found more than support — I found understanding.”
Susie
Reach out to our team
Fill out the short form and a member of our clinical team will be in touch to listen, answer your questions, and guide you to the right support — completely free and confidential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sharsheret is a national non-profit organization that improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast cancer or ovarian cancer through personalized support and saves lives through educational outreach.
Sharsheret (pronounced shar-sheh-ret) is Hebrew for chain, symbolizing the connections we make among women, families, and communities facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Please note, the correct spelling of our name is Sharsheret, not Sharsharet.
We provide breast cancer and ovarian cancer support and resources for you and your family in the way that feels most comfortable, taking into consideration your stage of life, diagnosis, or treatment, as well as your connection to Judaism. We can connect you with services particular to your needs and concerns.
We are the only national organization that specializes in supporting young women and families of all Jewish backgrounds who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer, and we offer culturally-relevant support to those who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, and post-treatment.
Sharsheret is the Jewish community’s response to breast cancer and the only national organization addressing the unique concerns of Jewish women and families facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. One in 40 Jews of Ashkenazi descent carries a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, compared to 1 in 400 in the general population, that increases the likelihood of developing breast, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, melanoma and male breast cancer. Sharsheret educates both the cancer and Jewish communities about that risk, and provides a continuum of care of culturally-relevant support for those at risk of developing cancer, those diagnosed with cancer, and those grappling with issues of recurrence or survivorship. In recognition of Sharsheret’s important contributions to women’s health, Sharsheret was named a recipient of the New York State Innovation in Breast Cancer Early Detection and Research Award, and selected as a member of the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance. Sharsheret was appointed a seat on the Federal Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women under the auspices of the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
We serve everyone who reaches out to Sharsheret. Our expertise is in the issues facing young women and Jewish families. All of our programs serve all women and men. More than 15% of the women who reach out to Sharsheret are not Jewish.
We define young broadly, with a general focus on active women who are dating, working, or parenting. Women of all ages reach out to Sharsheret to participate in the programs that are helpful to them.
We are staffed by professionals. Volunteers are also an integral part of our organization. They serve as peer supporters, Sharsheret representatives at conferences and events, and help out in our office. Learn more about volunteer opportunities in your area.
Sharsheret annually serves more than 270,000 women, men, families, health care professionals, community leaders and students. Over 30,000 women are enrolled in our peer support network, and over 70,000 people participate in in-person and virtual educational and clinical programming.
Sharsheret is an international Jewish breast cancer and ovarian cancer organization throughout the United States and Israel. We have also fielded inquiries from women and families in Canada, and the United Kingdom.
We are supported by individual donations, family foundations, a federal government grant, and corporate sponsors. Learn more about why your gift matters, and how you can help.
Our programs and services are national and can be accessed from anywhere in the country. We also partner with community organizations nationwide to establish local breast cancer and ovarian cancer programs and support groups. In addition, Sharsheret representatives and volunteers present at conferences and events across the country. Additionally, Sharsheret has regional offices across the United States in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and West and in Israel. Find a local Sharsheret program or event in your area.
We work with individuals and organizations nationwide to establish local breast cancer and ovarian cancer support groups and programs. Find a local Sharsheret program in your area.
Wherever you are, Sharsheret is. You can access all of our programs and services from the comfort of your home. Everyone who contacts Sharsheret receives the same services regardless of their location.
We are happy to provide you with materials to share with your doctors to educate them about our programs and resources. We are thrilled to have your help in spreading the word. Order brochures for your doctor’s office.