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THE SOURCE
YWCA Princeton Spring 1999
Between Us: A First-Aid Kit
for Your Heart and Soul
By Joanne Singer and Mary Katzke
You've just been given the worst news of your life. It may be out of the blue, or you may have thought it might happen. Your mind goes blank, and you hear nothing after the word "cancer." Your doctor would like to spend as much time with you as you need, but that can't always happen. You leave the doctor's office numb, in a daze, often alone. That is why we created Between Us. Between Us was developed by long-term breast cancer survivors to provide immediate comfort and empowerment to women who have just been diagnosed. We felt that the first 48-hour period following a diagnosis was the scariest, loneliest, and most difficult time of the treatment process. The Between Us video and kit offers survivor mentorship to a woman before she has the emotional strength to read about the disease, call a "buddy" or join a support group.
Each item was chosen by breast cancer survivors as something that helped them get through their diagnosis, treatment and recovery. The kits can include a prepaid phone card, notebook, tissues and other items of acknowledgement. At the heart of the kit is a video featuring the voices and faces of long-term survivors with timely information given in a personal, loving and even humorous manner.
Patients and those close to them have been overwhelmingly supportive and grateful that their trauma is being addressed. One woman described the kit as feeling like a "great big hug." Our goal is that through sponsorship women will receive the kits free. We realize how important the human spirit is to the healing process. Now, with Between Us, women can leave the doctor's office with a gift of hope.
For more information you may visit our web site at www.betweenus.org or contact Joanne Singer at or Mary Katzke. You may purchase kits or videos by calling 888/353-HEAL.
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