Dear Ms. Blechman:

I am writing this letter in support of the WIN ABC program.

I harldy know where to begin to explain to you what this program has meant to me and my family and friends, but let me try with the following:

1. For myself - I have benefitted from the education and support from other breast cancer survivors. It was wonderful to meet someone that has beaten the odds. I saw these brave individuals as a role models. They gave me hope and courage to fight for my life.

2. For my family/friends - They know that I have received the best care and information available. They know I can make well informed decisions about my care, thus reducing their stress level and concerns about my survival.

3. For Non-Kaiser Members - I have co-workers referring newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to me, because they know I am a well informed survivor, and they know I am willing to work with anyone that needs help. (I work for Parkview Community Hospital)

Looking back I remember the fear I felt when I was told I had breast cancer (Dec. 92). I was # 4 out of 5 family members with breast cancer, at that time not one of them had enjoyed one year of remission. The first thing I did was get all the information I could lay my hands on so I could make well informed decisions and so I could feel like I had some control of my life again.

I shudder to think about what happens to Non-Kaiser patients that have so many questions and fears, and are in need of some hope and support but don't necessarily get that information from their caregivers, I know this happens far too often because Non-Kaiser breast cancer patients have told me time and time again.

The WIN ABC program is a ONE STOP SHOP for all the information anyone could possibly want regarding breast cancer. When a person is newly diagnosed, they have enought to worry about without having to run around town trying to get bits and pieces of beast cancer information.

...Thank you for this opportunity to write to you about this wonderful program.

 -- Gloria
Breast Buddy

You have Breast Cancer! Someone else hers these words - not me! What happens now? Am I hoing to die? I watched my best friend die -- Will I lose my breast? Will I become another statistic? A woman's worst nightmare is mine now.

Those were just some of my thoughts and questions when I first received this terrible news. But then I became one of the lucky patients to have the benefit of WIN Against Breast Cancer at my disposal. I walked out of my doctor's office with my "Bag of Books and Information" and answers to many of my questions feeling much more positive about making a very important decision that would affect my future. But somehow the books and knowledgable and caring Health Care Team were just not enough. No one can know how you feel at a time like this except another woman who has experienced the same trauma.

I am now a Breast Buddy Volunteer because I want and need to give back what I was given. I am working with my first patient and seeing the change in her since she was first diagnosed, through her surgery and recovery from a frightened individual to one with such a positive outlook I have been rewarded ten-fold...

...This is a program that needs to be available for all women in all walks of life who are diagnosed with this devastating disease.

 -- Betty