Breast cancer support group invites women to dinner meeting
In 2016, approximately 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S., according to Breastcancer.org. The diagnosis and treatment of the disease are life changing and can be emotionally stifling. Many women find hope and strength from the support and friendship of other women who've traveled the same journey.
Pink for Tomorrow is a local support group for women battling breast cancer. It was founded by Beverly Raudabaugh and Sue Barkhausen, both breast cancer survivors, who helped each other cope with the aftereffects of breast cancer treatment. "Pink" is the color associated with breast cancer awareness and "Tomorrow" represents hope.
The group started in January 2011 after a party marking the end of Barkhausen's treatments. She hosted the party to thank 13 survivors who helped her get through the journey. At the end of dinner, one of the women suggested turning the event into a support group.
The purpose of the support group is to provide women with perspectives about breast cancer, develop a network of local survivors, and to be there for the next person who is diagnosed. The road along the journey is hard, and if someone can walk it with someone who has been down the road before, it can be easier to endure.
The group shares experiences, leans on each other, learns from outside experts and builds friendships in a supportive, positive environment, Raudabaugh and Barkhausen said.
Their main goal is to help other women, through Pink for Tomorrow, to navigate the same road they traveled. Membership in the group is growing because so many women are affected by the disease.
For information about information and details, including location of meetings, send an email to pinkfortomorrow@gmail.com. The support group meets the third Wednesday evening of the month. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Jan. 18. It will be a dinner meeting. All women are welcome, regardless of how long ago they received treatment. Visit pinkfortomorrow.wordpress.com.