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Bosom Buddies, affiliated with Tower Cancer Research Foundation, is an organization of breast cancer survivors who are committed to providing one on one support to those diagnosed with breast cancer.
Started on a volunteer basis by five former Tower patients, these women wanted to give back to society by helping other women who have been diagnosed with the same cancer- |
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related illnesses they experienced and to enhance the quality of their lives during and after diagnosis and treatment. With a message of care and encouragement, many patients find a great sense of hope and relief from their Bosom Buddies and meet with them on a personal basis.
Bosom Buddies became such a tremendous part in the patients’ lives, that it has expanded its services and now is partially funded by Tower. Mary Fox, Director of Clinical Services for Tower Medical Group, is responsible for the on-going support for this program. |
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Goals of the Bosom Buddies Program |
- To provide extra emotional support to breast cancer patients. This takes the form of a one-to-one friendship, extending the care provided by family and friends and their doctors and nurses.
- To promote a positive outlook among breast cancer patients. All the mentors are upbeat, optimistic women who are committed to instilling these qualities in their buddies.
- To serve as "role models" for surviving breast cancer and returning to a normal, healthy self.
- To match each new patient with a mentor who is near her own age and medical situation. For younger women, cancer often coincides with raising a family or building a career. For older women cancer can mean coping with loss of strength, memory and sex life. Having women to talk with who've had similar side effects can be very valuable and therapeutic.
- To provide an empathetic ear and answer questions no one else can answer. Questions such as, "What is it like when I lose my hair?" "How do I tell my children I'm sick?" or "Will I still feel like a woman when I lose my breast?"
- To provide a "safe haven" for patients to discuss their concerns and fears with people who've had similar experiences.
- To promote relationships and friendships between our buddies. Going through the cancer treatment process simultaneously with other women is tremendously helpful.
- To establish relationships with every member of the Tower Oncology staff so they can refer their patients to our program with confidence.
- To share what cancer has taught us...a profound appreciation for life. We all feel stronger and wiser through our experiences and never take life's joys for granted. We want to spread this philosophy to all our new buddies and friends.
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How the Program is Implemented |
- There is a Bosom Buddies Hotline phone number that patients can call to have a ‘Buddy’ call them and answer questions.
- If a patient is interested, a Tower staff member will get their information and have one of the mentors contact them.
- Most of the mentors are now working in the treatment area at least once a week. By establishing personal relationships with new patients directly, we are hoping to encourage more women with breast cancer to inquire about and participate in the program.
- On the days that mentors work at Tower, they are available for consultations with new patients.
- It is very helpful if the Buddy Mentor program can be discussed as early as possible with each new breast cancer patient after initial diagnosis. This is often a very confusing and disturbing time and a Buddy Mentor can help cope with the emotional stress and the myriad of questions.
- Additionally, the Bosom Buddies Mentor program will be offered to patients during initial discussions with the patients’ doctors and nurses and at the chemo classes.
We’ve been there, we understand, we offer advice, answers, and resources. We’re Bosom Buddies and we’re here to empower you, encourage you, and support you...For Life.
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