Our volunteers, Pat Mc Garvey and Becky Chase, have been busy manning Bosom Buddies booths at 4 different Walgreens locations during mini health fairs. They presented information on Bosom Buddies activities and breast cancer.

Another great event is the Del Webb Breast Health Fair in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month on October 30th from 9 am -12 pm. We are thrilled to participate again.. The fair features a variety of knowledgeable speakers and vendors with educational information and products (some free) related to breast health. The fair will be held in the Del Webb Hospital Auditorium at 14502 W. Meeker Blvd. Sun City, AZ  Call 623-214-4418

I would like to participate in a clinical trial but my insurance won’t cover my care if I do. Will this change under the new law?

Yes. Under the new law, beginning in 2014 all group and individual plans will be required to cover the routine patient costs for clinical trial participants and may not discriminate against an individual based on participation in a clinical trial.

For more information about the new benefits visit:  http://www.healthcare.gov/index.html

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/07/20100701a.html

Casting for Recovery is a national non-profit organization with over 30 states holding no-cost 2 ½-day weekend educational/support/wellness retreats for women who have had breast cancer.  Last May, CFR AZ held their 7^th retreat.  The icing on the cake is that you also learn how to fly fish.  Fly-fishing is an excellent exercise for the damaged muscles and tissues from breast cancer treatments.  14 women came together as strangers and left completely renewed, with 13 new friends.

Please go to www.castingforrecovery.org if you need any additional information or contact Donna Fischer at dfischersurvivor@gmail.com , or 480-580-0766 (cell).

The new date is Saturday, October 23, 2010 at Avanti’s Restaurant in Phoenix from 11:30 AM -2 :00 PM. We’ll be inviting this year’s Bosom Buddies volunteers to be our guests. Family and friends can also register for the event to thank these dedicated women. We’ll post further details  soon.

Dee Courtwright-Smoot traveled from Prescott to join us

The May 2nd Bosom Buddies-Hospice of the Valley Fashion Show and Tea was a great success. The 300 attendees from both organizations filled the  beautiful Phoenix Art Museum venue. Everyone had an opportunity to learn more about the efforts of both of our wonderful organizations whose volunteers help those facing illness all across the Valley. The clothing that was modeled all came form HOV’s two White Dove Thrift Shops and made it a very glamorous afternoon.

Bosom Buddies members Karen Lewkowitz and Denise Donofrio and friends

We also have a limited number of donated breast forms. We strongly recommend that women first seek the services of a certified mastectomy fitter to determine their correct size prior to contacting us. For information regarding this service or to obtain these supplies, please contact our office at 602-265-2776 or e-mail info@bosombuddies-az.org

Becky Chase donates prostheses, bras & wigs to Maricopa County

Bosom Buddies has a long standing of history of service to those diagnosed with breast cancer.  With the increasing downturn in the economy, many more Maricopa County residents are without insurance or are underinsured.  The services of the Maricopa Integrated Health System have become increasingly in demand by those without insurance. Members of the breast cancer community and vendors have over time donated wigs, headscarves, mastectomy bras, and mastectomy breast forms to Bosom Buddies to distribute to those in need. In keeping with our mission, Bosom Buddies recently made a substantial donation of these items to the Oncology Unit of the Comprehensive Health Care Center, located on the Maricopa Medical Center Campus.

Included in our donation were 23 wigs, 18 wig stands 6 bottles of wig wash, 45 headscarves, and 69 mastectomy bras. Our thanks to Becky Chase, Board Member and Martha Kingman, Oncology Clinic Manager for co-coordinating this effort.