Breast Cancer Resource Center
Kara Stephenson, Director
(609) 497-2100, ext. 346
The Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC) is dedicated toproviding information and support to women and families affected by breast cancer and to increasing breast cancer awareness in the community. All programs and services are provided free of charge (unless otherwise indicated).Contact information:
Breast Cancer Resource Center
YWCA Princeton
59 Paul Robeson Place
Princeton NJ 08540
| Breast Cancer Helpline: | 609-497-2126 |
| Office: | 609-497-2100, ext. 346 or 349 |
| Fax: | 609-497-1211 |
| Email: | bcrc@ywcaprinceton.org |
| Website: | www.bcrcnj.org |
| Office Hours: | 9-5 pm, Mon.-Fri. |
| Prosthesis/Wig Fittings and Resource Library: Noon-5, Mon.-Fri. | |
4th annual “in the pink” fashion show and silent auction
Friday, September 12, 2008, 6-9 pm
The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village
Tickets: Adult $80, Friend $250, Patron $350, Benefactor $550, Table $800
Join BCRC to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month in style! This inspirational event celebrates the strength, beauty and spirit of breast cancer survivors, and the courage and compassion of their support network. Stunning fall fashions will be modeled by breast cancer survivors, their husbands and children, doctors, nurses and social workers- a moving reminder of the unified team that supports each woman as she battles this disease. In addition to the fashion show, guests will enjoy a reception, a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and both silent and live auctions. Proceeds from this event support BCRC’s free education, information and support services.
Call 609-497-2100, ext. 349, for tickets.
Community Outreach
Breast Cancer Awareness Talks
Breast cancer—what is it? What are the risk factors associated with it? What are the signs and symptoms? What is the best way to get screened?BCRC answers these and many more questions during its Breast Cancer Awareness Talks. Talks are conducted by a BCRC staff member and a breast cancer survivor, and are provided free of charge to community organizations, schools, corporations, churches, women’s groups, etc. If you would like BCRC to speak to your group, please contact us.
Information
Breast Cancer Helpline
I think I have a breast lump; what should I do? I don’t have insurance; where can I go for a mammogram? I’ve just been diagnosed with breast cancer; how do I find a doctor?When it comes to breast health and breast cancer, there are no silly questions! If you need information or support, call the Breast Cancer Helpline, 609-497-2126. Our trained staff and volunteers are always available to help you.
Networking NightsNetworking Nights give breast cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and members of the community an opportunity to meet and talk with each other, and to hear about a wide range of breast cancer-related issues from local and regional experts. Light dinner and refreshments are provided.Join us: Tues. 9/9 6:30-8:30 Tues. 11/11 6:30-8:30 Topics and speakers to be determined Please visit our website www.bcrcnj.org regularly for updates on fall/winter schedule. |
Lunch and LearnJoin BCRC in listening to free Telephone Education Workshops presented by CancerCare and Living Beyond Breast Cancer. These teleconferences feature expert panelists from the nation’s premier cancer centers discussing a wide range of issues related to breast cancer such as treatment options, screening guidelines, clinical trials, nutrition, and more. Bring a bagged lunch and stay after the teleconference ends to discuss the topic further.Bramwell House: BCRC Multipurpose Room Topics and dates to be determined. Please visit our website www.bcrcnj.org regularly for updates on the fall/winter schedule. |
Resource Library
Whether you have just been diagnosed and need information to help make treatment decisions, you are looking for advice on exercise and nutrition to help with your recovery, or you have a family member with breast cancer and want to know how to help, you’ll find everything you need in the BCRC Resource Library. Browse through the selection of books, audio and videotapes, reference materials, magazines, and scientific journals. Settle into the comfortable sofa to read, or borrow materials to take home with you.Website
For more information on breast health, breast cancer, and BCRC programs and services, visit our website: www.bcrcnj.orgThe Source Newsletter
The Source is published two times each year and provides easy-to-understand, impartial, local information on breast cancer-related issues. The Source covers breaking news in breast cancer treatment, healthy lifestyle information, survivorship issues, survivor stories, Q&A, and details of BCRC programs and community events. If you would like to contribute to the newsletter, or be added to our mailing list, please contact us.Support
Breast Cancer Support
Support for breast cancer patients and survivors in all phases of the journey. Join women just like you to share your questions and strategies for coping with treatment side effects, communicating with doctors and families, facing fears of recurrence, regaining self-image and much more.Facilitator: Terri David, Psychologist
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
4th Wed. 11:45 am-1 pm
Young Women’s Breast Cancer Support Group
Support and stress relief for those diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 45. Discuss issues such as fertility, coping with treatment side effects, managing young families, dating, self-image and much more in a caring environment with women just like you. Relaxation and breathing techniques are incorporated in each session to help you de-stress and gain peace of mind.Facilitator: Cynthia Kates, Clinical Social Worker
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
1st and 3rd Wed. Noon–1:30 pm
Advanced Breast Cancer Support Group
Support for women living with stage IV breast cancer. Share experiences, solutions, triumphs and concerns. Topics of discussion include coping with treatment side effects, facing fears, pain management, communicating with family, and much more.Facilitator: Elsje Reiss, CSW
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
1st and 3rd Mon. 7:30-9 pm
Woman-to-Woman Network
You don’t have to deal with breast cancer alone! BCRC’s Woman-to-Woman Network can put you in touch with a breast cancer survivor who has a similar medical history and lifestyle to yours. She will understand what you are going through and can provide information and support to make the journey a little bit easier. If you would like to be matched with a Woman-to-Woman Network volunteer, contact BCRC. If you are a breast cancer survivor, and would like to be a Woman-to-Woman Network volunteer, contact BCRC at 609-497-2100, ext. 346 (training will be provided).Private Counseling
For those breast cancer patients/survivors who feel the need for more personalized, professional support, BCRC offers one-hour private counseling sessions on a short-term basis. Sessions are conducted by Clinical Social Worker Elsje Reiss, who has many years of experience working with individuals affected by cancer and helping them work through issues that cancer patients commonly struggle with. To make an appointment, contact BCRC.Prosthesis and Wig Bank
BCRC offers free breast prostheses, mastectomy bras, wigs, hats, and scarves to those in need. A wide range of sizes and styles is available, and can be tried on in a private fitting room with assistance from a trained staff member. To make an appointment, please contact BCRC.Wellness Program
This program offers classes designed to strengthen the body, mind, and soul. Whether you are newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, on the road to recovery, or cancer free, there is a Wellness Program class, workshop, or activity for you! Classes are free and open only to breast cancer patients/survivors (unless otherwise indicated). Additional classes, workshops and activities may be scheduled after this catalog goes to print. For more information on current and future classes, or to register for a class, please contact BCRC.Gentle Yoga
Whether you are undergoing treatment, on the road to recovery, or living with breast cancer, you will benefit from this gentle, restorative yoga class. A registered yoga instructor will focus on increasing your range of motion, strength, and balance with poses tailored to your needs. By integrating breathing, relaxation and visualization exercises into each session, this gentle yoga class will ease your symptoms, motivate you, give you more energy and calm your mind. Registration is required.
Instructors: Debra Leong, Karin Steinhaus
Bramwell House Liv. Rm.
Session I: Tues. (9/9-10/28) 10-11:30 am
Wed. (9/10-10/29) 7-8:30 pm
Session II: Tues. (11/4-12/16) 10-11:30 am
Wed. (11/5-12/17, no class 11/26) 7-8:30 pm
Healing Meditation
Meditation for healing makes use of the natural healing energy we all have. It is a method of self-healing that allows us to understand and overcome our pains and weaknesses. Healing meditation has proven effective as a tool to help with reducing stress and anxiety, decreasing blood pressure and muscle tension, coping with pain and chronic fatigue, and increasing general sense of well-being and inner peace. Students will practice some tools of yoga, including breathing techniques and guided relaxation with visualization to foster wellness, increase sensitivity to inner feelings, and ultimately explore and experience the feeling of joy and bliss throughout every cell of the body.
Instructor: Giriga Iyer
Bramwell Liv. Rm.
Mon. (9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27) 10-11:30 am
Positively Pink Pilates
Reclaim your physical confidence and re-establish a connection with your body! Positively Pink Pilates offers a gentle exercise technique that will help both your mind and body gradually recover from breast cancer surgery and treatment. A certified pilates instructor will lead you through a series of gentle, flowing movements that address many of the issues that breast cancer survivors face including fatigue, limited range of motion, poor posture, and lymphedema. The focus is on low impact exercises and the quality, not the quantity, of those exercises.
Instructor: Linda Manheim
Lt. Ex. Rm.
Thurs. (9/4–12/18, no class 9/18, 11/6, 11/20, 11/27) 9:30-10:30 am
Water Wellness
This specially-designed gentle water exercise class is open only to breast cancer patients and survivors. It provides a supportive environment where breast cancer survivors can connect with each other and improve mobility, strengthen muscles, relieve any discomfort resulting from surgery, and reduce potential risk of lymphedema.
Registration is required. Spaces are limited and registrations will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis. Participants must commit to attending at least 75% of the classes. Participants do not need to be able to swim.
Instructor: Barbara Griggs
Pool
Fri. (9/12-12/19, no class 11/28) 1:30-2:20 pm
Wellness Workout: Strengthen and Stretch
Designed for all fitness and comfort levels, this class will help you to increase your strength, flexibility, and stamina, whether you are in treatment, on the road to recovery, or a long-term survivor. Each one-hour session will feature stretching and strengthening exercises that use resistance bands, stability balls, and a combination of yoga and pilates techniques to improve core strength and balance. Relaxation exercises will be incorporated as part of the warm-up and cool-down segments. BONUS! Join the research study conducted in conjunction with this class, and receive personalized baseline and periodic evaluations to help monitor your progress. Your participation will help researchers learn more about the benefits of exercise for breast cancer prevention, recovery, and survival.
Instructor: Linda Jones
APR
Session I: Mon. (9/8-10/27) noon-1 pm
Session II: Mon. (11/3-12/15) noon-1 pm
Ride On
Join other breast cancer patients and survivors for Ride On, an indoor cycling program that is safe, easy on the joints, adaptable to all fitness levels, and a great way to build your aerobic endurance. The workouts are done on specialized stationary bicycles (that adjust for intensity and speed) while listening to inspiring music. Wear sturdy sneakers, tapered exercise pants or shorts, or Capri pants, and bring a water bottle. This class is open only to breast cancer patients/survivors. Spaces are very limited and registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Instructor: Linda Jones
YWCA APR
Session I: Tues. (9/19-10/28) 10-11 am
Session II: Tues. (11/4-12/16) 10-11 am
Food for Life
A collaboration between BCRC and The Cancer Project, the “Food for Life” cooking class series is designed to empower cancer survivors and their caregivers to learn easy-to-implement cooking skills that turn every meal into a delicious dose of healthy nutrition. Learn to prepare eight full, healthful meals which are high in fiber and low in fat, and loaded with antioxidants and phytochemicals. A variety of cancer-related nutrition topics also are covered, such as finding dairy alternatives, immune-boosting foods, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Instructor: Christine Waltermeyer
Miele Princeton Design Center
Mon. (9/8, 9/22, 10/6, 10/13) 7-8:30 pm
Special Events
Annual “In the Pink” Fashion Show and Silent Auction
Celebrate the strength, beauty and spirit of breast cancer survivors, and the courage and compassion of their support network. Stunning fall fashions will be modeled by breast cancer survivors, their husbands and children, doctors, nurses, and social workers—a moving reminder of the unified team that supports each woman as she battles this disease. In addition to the fashion show, guests will enjoy a reception, a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and both silent and live auctions. Proceeds support BCRC’s free education, information, and support services.
Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village
Fri. 9/12 6-9 pm
Tickets: Adult $80, Friend $250, Patron $350, Benefactor $550, Table $800
The Nurturing Journey Breast Cancer Survivors’ Retreat
Designed especially for breast cancer patients and survivors, this retreat gives participants an opportunity to work on building the courage, confidence, and self acceptance that are essential for coping with the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of breast cancer. “The Nurturing Journey” offers an escape from the stresses of everyday life and gives you permission to relax, share, and heal in a peaceful and comforting setting with new friends. Included are daily sharing circles, yoga and guided imagery sessions, journaling, exploration of creativity through art and music, personalized complementary therapy sessions, a labyrinth walk, and much more.
Registration is required for this retreat—registration deadline is September 26, 2008. For more information and a registration form, contact BCRC. Spaces are limited and registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fri. 10/10-Sun. 10/12 $220 (scholarships are available)
Stella Maris Retreat Center, 981 Ocean Ave., Elberon, NJ
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers play a vital role in the success of BCRC programs. Why not give a bit of your time, energy, and experience to make a difference in the lives of others? We are looking breast cancer survivors and supporters (especially those who are Hispanic, Asian, and African American) to help with health fairs, awareness talks, and the Woman-to-Woman Network. Opportunities also are available for volunteers to assist with ad-hoc administrative tasks. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, please contact BCRC.