Breast Friends

Breast Friends History and Mission:

Breast Friends was founded in August 2000 by two local Portland breast cancer survivors, Sharon Henifin and Becky Olson. The founders met in 1991 while working together at the same large corporation. In 1993 Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 1996, Becky was diagnosed with the same. Over the next few years, what the two women came to understand is that friends, though well intentioned, often times don’t know how to help and women end up fighting the disease alone and afraid. Four years later, during a discussion over lunch, the two decided to start a non-profit to aid breast cancer patients by teaching their friends and family members how to offer appropriate help. The name, Breast Friends, was chosen and registered with the state of Oregon. A web-site URL was selected and Breast Friends was born. A bank account was opened with two $50.00 checks donated by each woman from their first speaking engagement. They applied for, and received their 501c3 federal tax exemption in 2001 and their mission of “helping women survive the trauma of breast cancer…one friend at a time,” was underway.

In 2004, Breast Friends received their first grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation. They have been funded every year since. Komen has also partnered with Breast Friends by inviting them to chair their Co-Survivor Initiative in Oregon at the Race for the Cure®. Breast Friends has been the Co-Survivor chairs since.

To date, Breast Friends has received nearly 400,000 visits to their web-site and the numbers are growing quickly. Their site received the Editor’s Choice Award from healingwell.com. Breast Friends has received e-mails from women all over the country; some asking for assistance in handling their difficult treatments, others offering to volunteer through their “Volunteer Match Program,” and others indicating an interest in starting chapters in their cities. As the organization grows in numbers, thousands of women will continue to be supported and helped through their difficult breast cancer journeys.

Becky Olson President Diagnosed 1996 & 2004 Author and Professional Speaker Becky's resumé	Sharon Henifin Executive Director Diagnosed 1993 Life Coach Sharon's resumé

Please click here to meet our entire Board Of Directors

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Testimonials

"Losing my hair was difficult at first, I thought I was somehow losing my identity as a woman. I learned pretty quickly that I needed something to keep the heat in, or the sun off, my newly shiny dome. The wig was alright for "formal" events, like church and dinner out, but what do I do as I go about life? I felt like scarves signaled "I'm Sick" to the whole world and sort of put up a barrier, a feeling I did not like.

When I first wore "the hat" I experienced a whole new, and unexpected, reaction; both from myself and others. I smiled, I didn't feel sick, I dressed a little nicer and a little bit of bounce returned to my step. Friends laughed with me when they read the inscription. Strangers would steal a glance to see what the hat said, then smile and make eye contact with me, a reaction that I love. My hat tells the world that I'm going to beat this disease and I will be a better person on the other side of this trip."

Anne Koopman
Breast Cancer Survivor Diagnosed 2006
June 2006

"Thank you so much for being a presenter at this year’s Health Expo. Your participation in heading up our Co-Survivor area was also awesome! Thank you for all you do in the fight against breast cancer. I am proud to know you!"

Christine McDonald
Executive Director
Susan G. Komen Foundation
Oregon and SW Washington Affiliate
September 2005

"There are several "support groups" in my area, but none that seem to hit the mark the way Breast Friends has. Thanks again for your generosity of spirit and reaching out to me."

Wanda E. Zygmuntowicz
President
CUSTOMERicity, LLC
November 23, 2005

"You deserved the standing ovation. You are one brave, inspiring little woman!!!!"

Rachel Clearwater
Author of "Dreamwalk"
Susan G. Komen Survivor Luncheon September 18, 2004

"It was wonderful to have you as our speaker (at our annual survivor luncheon). You were inspiring, thought provoking, entertaining and funny! I have reviewed the evaluations and they were very, very positive. Thank you!!!!"

Heather K. Hill D.D.S.
Susan G. Komen Board Member
and Luncheon Co-Chair Oregon & S.W.Washington Affiliate.
September 18, 2004

"When I was in treatment, support from friends, relatives and colleagues was as powerful as any medicine, and Breast Friends helped several of them figure out just what I needed. With all that support, I felt I could conquer the cancer. Thank you, Breast Friends, for being there."

Nancy Varekamp
Breast Cancer Survivor, diagnosed 2001

"You two were wonderful, as usual!....people were hanging on your every word"!

Kyra Jones
American Cancer Society
Breast Cancer Community Control Manager

"I so enjoyed listening to you and appreciated the way you validated my feelings...You are a great inspiration to me and so many."

Sandy Juhola
Cancer Survivor

"Thank you so much! I am looking forward to hearing your song again - so inspiring!"

Amy Bowman
Community Development Manager
American Cancer Society Northwest Division

"Way to go, Becky and Sharon! Super idea and a great website too. People the world over could benefit from your '20 ideas.' Thanks for the site and all that you are doing."

Carol Owens
Breast cancer survivor since November, 1989

"You were great. I liked your honesty."

... Scott Reed

"Well done. You were perfect."

... Jim Phillips

"You were real - no pretense. Very Good"

... Anonymous

"I liked your openness and honesty."

... Caroline Powell

"I liked all of it. So very important to support friends."

... Marilyn Narsh

"I liked that the stories were based on true facts. You made me cry."

... Patricia Reed

"Very touching."

... Lori Peterson

"I like the friendship, the openness... you ladies were great. You put tears in my eyes. I truly enjoyed listening to you."

... Kelly Warren

"Very well presented."

... Ann Phillips

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Other Accomplishments:

Breast Friends story has been written up in various publications including:

“The Hat That Saved My Life,” by Becky Olson (Book 2004)

“Wise Women Speak,” by Fern Carness RN and Lisa Edwards (Book 2004)

“Chicken Soup for the Soul – Healthy Living Series – Breast Cancer” by Edward Creagan M.D. (Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Mary Olsen Kelly) (Book 2005)

MAMM Magazine – November 2005 issue

Major Keynote presentations include:

Susan G. Komen Survivor luncheon at the Portland Race for the Cure

Pink Ribbon Society survivor luncheon in Indiana

Special Friends Survivor celebration in Omaha, NE

Breast Cancer symposium in Lafayette, LA

Pink October breast cancer events in Northern California

Women’s Wellness Event in Kansas

Summary of significant dates include:

2000-

Idea born over lunch at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Portland, OR

Registered name with State of Oregon

2001-

Created Board of Directors

Filed 501c3 papers (approved and backdated to Dec 2000)

First major appearance at Komen Race for the Cure

First public presentation in Scappoose, Oregon

Opened bank account with $100.00

2002-

Launched Web-site www.breastfriends.com

Opened first office in Tigard, Oregon

2003-

First major keynote presentation in Indiana

2004-

Doubled office space and added toll free phone number

Received first Komen Grant for $20,000

Launched Survivor Support “First I Cry” Program

Gave Keynote presentation at Komen Survivor Luncheon

Co-Founder Becky Olson published first book (includes chapter on Breast Friends)

Breast Friends appears in “Woman’s World Magazine” and “Wise Women Speak.”

2005-

Received second year grant from Komen for $30,000

Delivered over 600 “First I Cry Packets” to newly diagnosed patients

Gave several Keynote presentations around the United States

Became official Chairs of the Komen “Co-survivor” program

Breast Friends mentioned in articles in MAMM Magazine and “Chicken Soup for the Soul – Healthy Living Series – Breast Cancer”

2006-

Received third year grant from Komen for $20,000

Continue to deliver “First I Cry Packets” to newly diagnosed patients

National Keynote presentations grew significantly

Continued as official Chairs of the Komen “Co-survivor” program

Breast Friends mentioned in article in MAMM Magazine May/June issue.

Breast Friends starts women's prison cancer support group in Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.

2007-

Received fourth year grant from Komen for $40,000

Continue to deliver “First I Cry Packets” to newly diagnosed patients

Doubled Keynote presentations around the United States

Continued as official Chairs of the Komen “Co-survivor” program

Breast Friends written up in article in Beyond Magazine Spring/Summer issue.

Continue women's prison cancer support group in Coffee Creek Correctional Facility

Began production of two new videos. Began distribution of "Programs" video

Held first annual "Joy of Life" Fundraiser - sold out

2008-

Received fifth year grant from Komen for $25,000

Received first grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund

Established local area Breast Friends support group for Young Metastatic cancer patients

Began distribution of video "A Practical Guide to Breast Cancer Support."

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