Local single mom and her family have a better Christmas because of Breast Friends

Breast Friends helped a family in crisis. We were able to help a lovely single mom with two boys 7 & 11years old have a nicer holiday season. We want to thank those that helped including Sandy Ragsdale and her friends, as well as Sharon Graalum for getting the generous grant from Rose City Camp #77 lodge.

Breast Friends is Growing

What an exciting year we have had. We have been so blessed to work with established as well as new community partners this year, while continuing to increase the number of women we have been able to serve. We are continuing to develop programs to support women who are diagnosed with cancer in our community. We have nine years of success and a proven track record of programs that work.

Nominations Open for the Compassion Award

Nominations are now open for the Breast Friends' Compassion Award. Every year, in the spring, Breast Friends announces the winner of the annual, "Compassion Award," given to someone in Oregon or S.W. Washington that has demonstrated outstanding patient support. The award is presented at the "Joy of Life," fundraiser. This years' event will be held on April 24 at the beautiful Downtown Portland Hilton Hotel.

Breast Friends takes message to international communities

October 2008 was a significant month for Breast Friends. Co-founders Sharon Henifin and Becky Olson had the opportunity to take the Breast Friends' message to the global breast cancer communities – in the Middle East and in the Cayman Islands.

Brighton Washington Square & Tanasbourne Will Donate Proceeds of 2008 Bracelet To Breast Friends

Brighton feels that it's time to put an end to breast cancer. In the spirit of this heartfelt idea, their Designers have created a bracelet, necklace and matching earrings for this year's October Power of Pink promotion.

Breast Friends receives $30,000 grant

Breast Friends recognizes the impact that breast cancer has not only survivors, but on their friends and family members as well. The organization works to provide support to both survivors and co-survivors, through programs that address the needs of the patient during treatment and afterward, while also educating the patient's family members and friends on what they can do to be of help to their loved one while going through the cancer journey.

BREAST FRIENDS' CO-FOUNDERS RECEIVE "LOCAL HERO" AWARD:

Breast Friends co-founders Sharon Henifin and Becky Olson were honored with this years' "Local Hero Award" in a ceremony at Kuni BMW in Beaverton on Wednesday 9/25. The award, sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure and BMW of North America, was given to the two women because of their outstanding work in the field of breast cancer awareness. The award was presented to Sharon * Becky, both breast cancer survivors, by Chris McDonald, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, as "community residents who have made an outstanding personal effort in the fight against breast cancer."

Using Your Strengths

Summer is in full swing around the country, but as we know, breast cancer doesn't take a vacation. Women are being diagnosed every day with this very scary and personal disease. It attacks our very core of femininity and our life. It forces us to look at our mortality, and even if it isn't you being diagnosed, it affects us all at a very basic level.

Making God laugh!

I was on the phone recently with a man from a speaker's bureau. His name is Terry. We had a lively and engaging conversation and then he said, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans for the day." I cracked up. This one really hit home.

Supporting Women Behind Bars

How often do we consider what it is like to live behind bars when diagnosed with cancer? I never thought about it until a nurse from the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville paid Breast Friends a visit and asked if there was anything we could do to help women going through diagnosis and treatment.

Why Do Some Women Have Hope When Others Don't?

The question caught me off-guard. I've never really considered that before. I like to think that everyone has hope - or at least they should. It's the best four-letter word around. But, I had to come up with an answer, and fast, it was only a three minute interview. So I dug deep and popped out an answer that seemed true to me. The more I thought about it throughout the day, the more true I believe it is.

When all else fails - Laugh!!

When I was diagnosed in 1996 at age 43 with advanced stage breast cancer, I thought my life was over. I thought I knew what depression was...until I lost my hair. I hated the stares and pitiful looks that I received from strangers and spent a great deal of time at home avoiding them.

"Cancer" - Lighten up...It's just a word.

It used to be that when you heard that someone had cancer, people started making plans for that person to die. With all the help from Susan G. Komen, the American Cancer Society and others, research has come a long way to find ways to treat cancer. In some cases, cancer has become more like a "chronic" condition. Yes, sadly, people still die from the disease, but more are living either through it, or with it.

Brighton Helps Support Breast Friends Again in 2006 With Their New Bracelet

Brighton Collectibles at the Washington Square and Tannasbourne Stores in the Portland area are again fighting breast cancer with their 2006 fabulous charm bracelet and their generous donation to Breast Friends.

Breast Friends Hosts Komen Portland Race for the Cure Co-Survivor Chalet

Breast Friends is proud to host the Co-Survivor Chalet for friends and family members of women who have gone through breast cancer at the 2006 Portland Race for the Cure again this year. Breast Friends volunteers have participated in the race planning committee and host the Co-Survivor program at the Health Expo and the day of the Race.

Breast Friends reaches out to cancer patient Inmates

When Nurse Lindsay Bailey from the Oregon Department of Corrections (D.O.C.) contacted the staff at Breast Friends, she had one concern on her mind: How do we help women going through cancer when their access to friends and family is severely limited? Though they have some ability to contact their family and let them know about their treatment, the family is not allowed to accompany them to treatment for issues of public safety.

Breast Friends launches H.A.T.S. Project to help women overcome the trauma of hair loss.

Breast Friends knows the importance of humor in healing and keeping a healthy attitude. Our new H.A.T.S. Project (Healthy Attitude To Survive) will help women overcome the trauma of hair loss during chemo therapy.

Breast Friends Awarded 2006-2007 Community Grant by Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Breast Friends receives Komen funding for 2006-2007 grant cycle.

Breast Friends applied for and received funding for the third year from the Oregon and SW Washington affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This funding will allow us to continue our First I Cry program in this region

Fashion Show Is A Smashing Success

PALA Fashion Lounge of Portland, Oregon held their First Anniversary "Fashion A-Go-Go" on May 13, 2006. The event, produced & directed by Chelsey Pickthorn of WildEye Productions, was a benefit for Breast Friends, the friends and family network for support and inspiration.

Brighton Helps Support Breast Friends With Their New Bracelet/Watch

Brighton feels that it's time to put an end to breast cancer. In the spirit of this heartfelt idea, their designers created a bracelet/watch for 2005, October Power of Pink promotion.

Bridging the Gap, MALE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS GROUP

Breast Cancer in men? It's rare but it happens. One percent of all breast cancers are amoung men. Don't ignore the signs. Survival rates for men and women are equal as long as it's caught early.

Breast Friends Hosts Komen Co-Survivor Tent at 2005 Race for the Cure/Health Expo

Breast Friends chairs the Co-Survior inititive for the Oregon & SW Washington Affiliate of the Susan G Komen Foundation for the 2005 Race for the Cure and the Health Expo. Co-Survivors are the friends and family members that help a women going throught breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

A More Comfy Mammogram

If you are dreading having your next mammogram, here are a few tips that can make your next exam much more comfortable. Don't put it off, it could save your life.

Breast cancer support group may expand into Cowlitz County

St. John Medical Center in Longview has already shown interest in distributing the group's "First I Cry" packets.

Breast Friends Earns Komen Grant To Expand Program Throughout Oregon & SW Washington

Breast Friends receives Komen Funding for Volunteer Match program. This program includes the unique "First I Cry" program to help identify women who may be going through breast cancer diagnosis and treatment alone.

Breast Cancer has a Friend in Breast Friends

"Breast Friends is a non profit organization dedicated to making the lives of cancer patients easier, by teaching their friends and families how they can best help.

When am I a "survivor?";

Women often ask, "When am I considered a survivor?" Is it the date of diagnosis, date treatment ends, or my one year anniversary? Explore the answer with us.

Becky's Miracle - Her to-do list saved her life!

Read the story from Woman's World Magazine, January 20, 2004 issue

EXCERPT:

... "I'm sorry but you have breast cancer," the doctor gently told her later in his office.

It can't be! Becky tearfully gasped. But a biopsy confirmed his diagnosis and worse: the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. Becky had only a 60% chance to survive five years. ...

BREAST FRIENDS CONTINUES TO GROW

In 2003, Breast Friends reached new heights. Read this article to learn about our advances in our programming.

Wow! What a Year It's Been!

Our first two years ended on a positive note. See what happened since our inception.

Press Release

Article in the Community Newspapers, Tigard, OR. Breast Friends is introduced to the community.

First I Cry

Oregon State Nurses Association - state newsletter introducing "First I Cry."

Letter of Support

This letter was written by the American Cancer Society of Portland, OR.

Breast Cancer Event Focuses on Patient Support

Breast Friends was invited to a provide brown bag lunch seminar at Mt. Hood Community College.