In honor of Black History Month, we’re highlighting some of our favorite resources that support people coping with breast cancer in the Black community. We know that people of color dealing with cancer face many concerning disparities from the lack of doctor-patient education about dense breast tissue during screening to the need for more diversity in clinical trials. The cancer support community still has lots of work to do to bridge the gaps that can affect recovery outcomes. The challenges of the breast cancer journey are not “one-size-fits-all,” and we hope to help more Virginians and their loved ones create a support system that matches their needs.
We’re highlighting some of the leaders in this fight – organizations with a focus on helping Black patients with breast cancer through education, support and community.
Sisters Network Inc.
Sisters Network, Inc. is a national support network with two active chapters in Virginia – Central and Southeastern Virginia. Their resources include one-on-one support, educational materials, webinars, and the Karen E. Jackson Breast Cancer Assistance Program – a financial aid opportunity that opens up several times a year.
TOUCH – the Black Breast Cancer Experience
You may have heard about Touch BBCA on the Today Show! With a passion for increasing research and data around Black breast cancer, some of their resources include the ‘For the Love of My Gurls’ campaign supported by the WNBA, the “#BlackDataMatters” program, free webinars like their ‘The Doctor is In’ and ‘Pink Table Talk’ sessions, educational materials for communities, and support for individuals and their loved ones.
**In 2022, VBCF hosted a “Black Women & Clinical Trials” webinar featuring Rickie Fairley, CEO of TOUCH. We discussed the importance of including Black women in clinical trials and heard from Claudette Grant with UVA Cancer Center for some ways that one of our cancer centers is improving the diversity of their clinical trials. Click here to watch!
African American Breast Cancer Alliance
The African American Breast Cancer Alliance is a resource hub that covers a wide range of education and support that is culturally specific and easy to understand. Some of their programs and services include groups like Breast Cancer Survivors Support (BCSS), Sisters and Misters in Survival (SMIS), inspiring stories from those who have been there, and a great range of educational information & additional resources.
Carrie’s TOUCH
Carrie’s TOUCH’s mission is to humanize Black women and their experiences with breast cancer. In operation for nearly two decades, it is one of the oldest breast cancer organizations solely focused on the support and outcomes of Black women and men thriving beyond breast cancer. The Carrie’s TOUCH app, designed by and for Black women surviving breast cancer, provides culturally specific emotional and practical support right in the palm of your hand!
For the Breast of Us
For the Breast of Us is a large support community of survivors and thrivers whose mission is to increase education, support, and advocacy in survivorship. At the time of this publication, their team is revamping their main website, but visit the link above to connect via their Facebook group and stay tuned for the latest news!
If you would like to learn more about breast cancer statistics in the Black community and find links to additional resources, including educational videos, see – “Building Support for Breast Cancer in the Black Community.“
Do you have a great resource that we should know about? Share it with us! Email nikki@vbcf.org or give us a call at 800-345-8223.
