Bosom Buddies-AZ support group members frequently participate in fundraisers for the American Cancer Society. This is a photo of our Chandler/Ahwatukee support group at their local American Cancer Society Relay for Life Event. Proceeds from these events are often used to provide services to those with cancer in the communities where the fund raisers are held.

Bosom Buddies support group members often walk in memory of their support group members who have died from their breast cancer.

Suresh Mohla, PhD, from the National Cancer Institute and Ginny Mason, RN, BSN, Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation  before starting the Project LEAD advanced class on Tumor Dormancy and Breast Cancer at the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Advocacy Summit in Washington DC. For more go to www.BreastCancerDeadline2020.org.

submitted by Karen Lewkowitz
Field Coordinator-AZ, National Breast Cancer Coalition
Advocacy Chair, Bosom Buddies, Inc.

BBA member Karen Lewkowitz poses with Cheryl Fish-Parcham from Families USA and Ian Millhiser from the  Center for American Progress after moderating discussion on the Affordable Care Act at the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Advocacy Summit. For more go to www.BreastCancerDeadline2020.org.

submitted by Karen Lewkowitz
Field Coordinator-AZ, National Breast Cancer Coalition
Advocacy Chair, Bosom Buddies, Inc.

National Breast Cancer Coalition Advocate Summit opening remarks by NBCC President Fran Visco at the Kick Off Rally where each state shared their progress with Breast Cancer Deadline 2020 in the past year.
submitted by Karen Lewkowitz
Field Coordinator-AZ, National Breast Cancer Coalition
Advocacy Chair, Bosom Buddies, Inc.

East Valley Support Group Update: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 – Featured speaker is Lula Stephens with her report from attending the National Breast Cancer Convention in Washington DC, May 5-8, 2012.

A Note From Karen Lewkowitz:

Heads up everybody!! We are getting ready for the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Annual Advocacy Summit in Washington DC, May 5-8, 2012.  You can’t attend? No worry; we are going to bring it to you!

The great IT gurus at Bosom Buddies, namely, Jenice McQuarrie, and Susanne Stacy are doing daily postings on both the BBA Facebook and Web pages during the Summit.  Four Bosom Buddies members are attending and we will be joined with a colleague from Tucson.

The Summit this year has been dedicated to Bosom Buddies Past President Kathleen Zeitz who lost her battle with metastatic breast cancer on February 28th. Kathy was highly respected at the National Breast Cancer Coalition for her breast cancer advocacy work and had attended every Summit…a total of 18!

Men and women from all over the country as well as international guests come to learn about the latest scientific advances in breast cancer.  They learn about the critical issues facing breast cancer like access to healthcare, evidence-based medicine, accountable and transparent breast cancer research, and, of course this year, Breast Cancer Deadline 2020.

On Saturday, the Summit will start off with a special dedication to Kathy, a moment of silence, then plunge on to a Breast Cancer Deadline 2020 Rally.  Individual state achievements will be announced during lots of noise, video streaming, ending with President Fran Visco’s Rally Address.

Interesting and informative plenaries and workshops follow on Sunday and Monday.  Along with important public policy issues there will be a focus on primary prevention and prevention of metastatic disease in the program. Dr. Otis Webb Brawley, American Cancer Society Medical Director and author of the eye –popping book “How We Do Harm” will deliver a keynote address.

The Summit ends with a day on Capitol Hill.  Our delegation visits all Arizona Congressional offices and asks for support of the NBCC’s public policy agenda.

Your Bosom Buddies has long embraced the important work of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, sending advocates each year to the Summit.  If you can’t be here this year, please join us on Facebook and check in with us here.  You can ask questions and make comments-we’ll be looking forward to what you have to say.

For more information on BCD2020 visit the Breast Cancer Deadline 2020 website.

April 26th meeting: share a spring inspiration.

May 23rd meeting: even though this month has 5 Thursdays.  We are consistent and meet the fourth Thursday of each month (other than November since that is Thanksgiving).

June 28th meeting: summer officially begins.

July 26th meeting: enjoying independence.

August’s meeting will be on the 23rd: even though this month has 5 Thursdays. We are consistent and meet the fourth Thursday of each month (other than November since that is Thanksgiving).

September 27th meeting: Fall is coming what are your plans.

October 25th meeting: we will support one another on this journey and share our enthusiasm that we are recognized.
Note: October 13th is recognized as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
“While there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, some individuals are able to live longer with the disease. However, metastatic breast cancer remains a clinical challenge in the oncology community. October 13 places emphasis on the disease stressing the need for new, targeted treatments that will help prolong life.” - William Gradishar, MD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine http://mbcn.org/developing-awareness/category/mbca-day/

November 15th meeting: due to Thanksgiving being on the 4th Thursday of the month. We have pulled our meeting up one week.

December 27th meeting: after the support of one another we will play Bunko (gift exchange under $20) come have some fun…

By Becky Chase, Bosom Buddies President

“The National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) is proud to announce Becky Chase has received the designation of Certified Breast Patient Navigator through the completion of the NCBC’s Breast Patient Navigator Certification Program. This certification program validates Becky Chase’s knowledge and skills in navigating a breast patient through their breast care/cancer continuum of care. Becky Chase’s choice to participate in this certification program shows her personal and professional commitment to providing quality care for her patients and clients. The support of Bosom Buddies-AZ toward the continuing education and training of its staff exhibits Bosom Buddies-AZ’s unwavering commitment to providing excellence in the care of its clients.”

Bosom Buddies President, Becky Chase RN CNOR, Receives Breast Patient Navigator Certification

As a breast cancer survivor, Bosom Buddies-AZ President, and  Bosom Buddies-AZ Scottsdale Chapter facilitator, I have made a very concentrated effort to  stay informed on the latest news regarding breast cancer. Meeting the stringent applicant requirements, and taking this exam validates my knowledge regarding both breast imaging and breast cancer. I am very thankful to Bosom Buddies-AZ for all of its support.

This is for East Valley Chapter.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012, Rendy Garello, Certified Mastectomy Fitter, will be speaking and showing samples. She works at Boutique of Hope, Banner Gateway Medical CVenter/Banner MDAnderson Cancer Center.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012, Dana Gammons, Community Relations Director at Home Instead Senior Care, which is a company that helps seniors remain independent in their homes.

December 11, 2012, Dr. Rimma Finkel, MD, Plastic & Reconstruction Surgery, will share with us the latest techniques in reconstruction for breast cancer survivors.