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Every year we celebrate being survivors at our December support meeting. In addition to celebrating with our family and friends, we take the opportunity to spread the word about breast health and healthy living. We also remember and celebrate our members who passed on during the year.
This is BCI's newest program. We have trained two survivors to work part-time as "Buddies"to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, providing effective one-on-one support. A Buddy is available to women, via the telephone or in person, to answer questions, to identify resources, and to just be a compassionate and caring companion.
The Buddy Program:
The BCI Coordinator works with local churches and the BJC Siteman Center mobile mammography van to remove the barriers of distance and lack of transportation so that women can receive a mammogram. BCI members also provide education regarding breast health, breast cancer screening, and breast self-exams to the women in the church congregations.
Faith On The Move:
No woman today should have to stuff old socks in her bra because she cannot afford prosthesis. Through this special program, uninsured and underinsured women are fitted and provided bras and/or breast forms at Medical West Breast Prosthesis Center.
The Bra and Breast Form Program:
An ongoing program in which the BCI reaches out to women in the community who are often overlooked to educate them on breast health and breast cancer. BCI volunteers visit incarcerated women in the County Justice Center and senior citizens in their living facilities. We plan to expand the program by also educating physically/mentally challenged women and lesbian women.
Breast Health Outside the Box:
Provides a care package for women undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The kits contain educational materials regarding care during treatment as well as items such as lotion, lip balm, body spray, latex gloves, gauze pads, a scarf, a calendar for medical appointments and a prayer book.
The Comfort Kit Program:
Useful Links
Held at Peoples Health Center, BCI continues to co-sponsor its annual health fair every October. In addition to women receiving mammograms, clinical breast exams and breast health education, they and members of their families receive other health screenings, pampering, entertainment and refreshments. Mini-seminars and a physicians' forum are also held during the health fair.
The Annual BCI Health Fair:
BCI volunteer spiritual advisors provide counseling, support, calls and visits. They provide prayer and spiritual guidance to members and families during critical illnesses and end of life on earth.
The Spiritual Team:
The BCI provides some assistance to survivors needing a lymphedema glove and sleeve when they are uninsured or underinsured.
The Glove and Sleeve Program:
Annual Survivors Holiday Celebration and Seminar: