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WHAT’S HAPPENING’S TRI-CITY VOICE
tients and know how to make them feel at ease,” says Program Director Polly Sherman, a registered nurse who also serves as one of the breast-care specialists. “For our staff, this isn’t just a job – it’s a labor of love. It’s amazing for us to see the transformation of a patient’s spirit when she’s trying on beautiful undergarments or a wig. We try to get fun items in pretty colors so that our patients can go out feeling pretty again. “Another important aspect of our programs is that we are a non-profit organization, and we work with women to sort through the red tape of their insurance coverage,” she adds. “We also offer assistance to women who have no insurance coverage. There are a few commer-
June 8, 2012
vide its services at low- or no-cost. “We are grateful to Washington Hospital for providing us with facilities for our programs and their support of our two main fundraising efforts – the annual KEEP ABREAST Walk each September and the People With Purpose awards Providing Patients and Survivors with Help and Support luncheon in April,” she says. “This year we received more than omen who are fighting • Lymphedema Project – This project $35,000 from our People with Purpose breast cancer face multi- provides upper-body compression garluncheon, and last year’s KEEP ple struggles. The most ments to treat the swelling caused by lymABREAST Walk raised close to important, of course, is phedema, which can result from removing $100,000,” she adds. “The support from to beat the disease and survive. But lymph glands during breast cancer surgerthe community and from other organitreatments for breast cancer can actually ies. Some insurance companies, including zations that conduct fundraisers for us create other struggles, including the Medicare, do not cover these garments, so has been very gratifying. With insurance emotional impact of dealing with physiwe offer them at a substantial discount to plans cutting back on coverage and the cal scars or deformities after surgery and breast cancer survivors. high rate of unemployment, our job has the hair loss often associated become more difficult, but with chemotherapy. Helping so far we haven’t had to women overcome those strugturn anyone away.” gles is the mission of the Dr. Packard has directed HERS Breast Cancer Foundathe foundation’s efforts for tion, located in the Washingthe past four years, but she ton Women’s Center at 2500 views her current role as a Mowry Avenue in Fremont. continuation of a lifetime “When you are facing commitment. something as devastating as “I spent 20 years as a breast cancer, you need every breast cancer surgeon in bit of help and support you Brazil, and then I moved can get,” says HERS Breast to America after I met my Cancer Foundation Executive true love and got marDirector Vera Packard, M.D. ried,” she recalls. “I came “We offer a comprehensive to the foundation because array of services to help breast I was looking for a way to cancer patients and survivors continue following my feel good about themselves passion of caring for again after they’ve experienced women with breast canthe pitfalls of breast cancer.” cer. As a doctor, I cared Services offered by the for one patient at a time. foundation include: Today, our dedicated staff • Bras for Body and Soul – and volunteers now serve Private fittings for attractive over 700 women each post-surgery bras, camisoles year. We all feel that this and prostheses in a comfort- The staff and volunteers of the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation provide emotional and financial assistance to women fighting breast is the work we were able setting and compassion- cancer. They strive to be “a soft place to fall” for the women they help. meant to do.” ate environment. All fittings Appointments for are provided by one of the program’s • We Support, You Survive – A procial stores that provide some of these HERS Breast Center Foundation servfour professional breast-care specialists. gram to provide post-mastectomy unservices, but none that provides the ices are strongly encouraged, 510-790• Hair with Care – A wide selection of dergarments to underserved women who emotional and financial assistance that 1911. For more information about the wigs to help breast cancer patients and are not covered by health insurance or we do, and that’s why we like to say that foundation, including the KEEP other women going through chemother- cannot afford these products because of we are a soft place to fall.” ABREAST Walk scheduled for Septemapy to cope with disconcerting hair loss. other circumstances. Dr. Packard notes that Washington ber 29, visit www.hersbreastcancerfounThe wigs can be custom-styled by the “Our breast-care specialists, wig conHospital has provided free space for the dation.org. People interested in serving program’s two wig consultants to suit sultants and other staff and volunteers foundation at the Women’s Center since on the foundation’s board of directors each woman’s style preferences. all have great compassion for our pa2004, which helps the foundation promay call Dr. Packard at 510-790-1954
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