Bosom Buddies Support Groups Going Strong in 2007
Breast cancer support groups are the heart and soul of Bosom Buddies of GeorgiaSM (BBG), an affiliate program of the Georgia Cancer Foundation since it merged with GCF in 2004.
Director of Breast Cancer Services Frances Wand, who has been a survivor for nearly two years, joined GCF in September 2006 to focus efforts on all programs for women with breast cancer. Says executive director Brenda Horne, “Frances was hired because she is passionate about helping women. She can relate to them because she has walked a similar path.”
Support groups are volunteer-led by breast cancer survivors, or occasionally, oncology professionals. Group facilitators receive special training and must be re-certified every two years. The groups meet monthly to help newly diagnosed women, as well as provide ongoing support for women who have been survivors for years. Experienced survivors mentor new patients through their fears and concerns by providing camaraderie and friendship when it is needed most. BBG groups are available from the north Georgia mountains to Bainbridge in south Georgia.
Janet Rohrer, who was recently appointed to the Bosom Buddies Advisory Committee, co-facilitates the Dunwoody group with Lisa Sturt. Says Rohrer, “We’ve been serving women for about 20 years, just about the same length of time I’ve been a survivor. Being a facilitator gives me good feelings that I can give something back to society. I can send a message to all new members that there IS life after cancer.”
RuPearl Sharpe, another new addition to the Advisory Committee, leads a group that has helped women in south Atlanta at Southern Regional Medical Center since 2005. Her biggest frustration is “not being able to reach the masses of ladies who truly need the encouragement and information.” This group is also open to high-risk women who have a strong family history of breast cancer, in order to stress the need for early detection from a “sisterhood” of women who have survived the disease.
Beverly Waddell and Diane Miller have been co-facilitators for the group in Rome, Georgia since 2003. They have seen an increased level of support since the merger. “Frances Wand visits with us, shows her face, and expresses concern for the group.” Beverly credits the group’s success to God “and to the mutual respect we have for one another. We have the same vision—to support each other and bring encouragement to those newly diagnosed.”
For more information about Bosom Buddies Support Groups, or to locate or start one in your area, please call Frances Wand at 770-640-5529, ext. 12.
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