Mission Statement
The Arizona Breast Cancer Resource Guide (ABCRG) provides quality and comprehensive resources to empower, encourage, and educate patients and co-survivors through the journey of breast cancer by giving choices where and when it matters most.
Supportive Initiative
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded funding to seven organizations for a new three-year cooperative agreement, "Developing support and educational awareness for young (45 years of age) breast cancer survivors in the United States," as part of a broader effort to support breast cancer awareness in young women. This new program will provide resources to organizations to establish or enhance existing support services for young (45 years of age) breast cancer survivors and their families. Organizations also will be funded to develop tools and resources to increase patient and provider knowledge of health behaviors and other strategies for reducing disease risk (e.g., recurrences, risk for other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.) and improving overall health, wellness, and quality of life. These resources should be useful in helping patients understand recommended diagnostic follow-up of abnormal screening exams, cancer diagnoses, treatment referrals, and preventive behaviors.
CDC received 53 applications from a diverse group of applicants including universities and academic centers, hospitals and cancer centers, non-profit organizations, and state health departments. All applications were objectively reviewed. CDC is funding the following organizations
John C. Lincoln Health Foundation
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Louisiana State University and Health Sciences Center
Sharsheret
University of California at Los Angeles
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Washington University at St. Louis
The Arizona Young Breast Cancer Survivor Support Initiative is the product of a cooperative agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and John C. Lincoln Health Foundation. In 2011, the Foundation was awarded funding for three years. The goal of this initiative is to change how Arizona supports young breast cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers. Additionally, the initiative will increase awareness among both the medical community and the general public about the unique issues young women face when diagnosed with breast cancer. This education and outreach will extend outside Maricopa County and encompass the state of Arizona in its entirety.
Collaboration Team
A common question kept being asked amongst those who work with those individuals diagnosed with breast cancer. Why isn't there an updated, comprehensive, and easy to use resource guide available for both patient and professional? There has to be an easier way to navigate individuals to the services they need the most. After countless discussions at community events, emails, and phone calls, a committee was brought together to help satisfy this need. Individuals representing many roles and organizations in the cancer fight joined forces to help steer and create this online resource guide. Without their dedication and contribution, this site would not be possible. Many thanks to the following individuals.
Becky Chase, RN CNOR
Bosom Buddies of Arizona
Becky is President of Bosom Buddies of Arizona and Facilitator of Scottsdale Chapter of Bosom Buddies. Bosom Buddies provides 5 breast cancer support groups in Maricopa County. She is also a certified breast patient navigator-imaging and cancer. Becky tells us "Having this certification demonstrates (to my support group members) my commitment to provide the highest level of service for those who are diagnosed with breast cancer." She is also a breast cancer survivor and currently is a certified preoperative nurse at John C Lincoln Deer Valley.For more information, visit www.bosombuddies-az.org
Alisa Domb, RN
TGEN (Translational Genomics Research Institute)
John C. Lincoln Breast Health Research Center
Alisa has been a nurse for over 20 years, working in clinical research for the last 16 years as a research nurse, clinical research coordinator and investigator. She has experience in pharmaceutical, investigator initiated and NIH sponsored research studies. Her areas of focus include cardiovascular, diabetes, neuroscience and breast cancer. She has been with JCL for over 5 years and the BHRC for the last 2 1/2. Studies currently being conducted at the BHRC include, Genomic Characterization of Breast Cancer, sponsored by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGEN) and A Randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy for anxiety reduction in women undergoing breast core-needle biopsy, sponsored by John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital.For more information, visit www.tgen.org or www.JCL.com/breasthealth
Ruth Flores
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Ruth is currently the Manager of Business Services at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Western Regional Medical Center in Goodyear, Arizona. She has over 20 years experience in financial settings, working with medical insurance and financial resources for patients which range from registration to billing and financial counseling. This has given Ruth an understanding of the cost of medical care and resources available to patients. Mrs. Flores expertise and passion is in assisting patients navigate thru their insurance needs and partner with them on their journey of healing and hope, which led her to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Mrs. Flores has worked for two state insurances. Medicaid of New York and AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System). These positions allowed Ruth to process applications for eligibility and see the great need uninsured patients have. Ruth was also employed with American Express for 15 years as an Executive Assistant. Ruth left that employment to be a full time mother to three wonderful children who are now all grown up. Because she believes in the model of care and mission of Cancer Treatment Centers of America treating the whole body, mind and spirit, and putting patients first, she has encouraged two of her children to follow the same path working in the medical field for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Ruth has been married to her best friend Paul for 23 years. They both share an interest in helping people and working in their community.For more information, visit www.cancercenter.com
Terri Gribben, RN
Comprehensive Breast Center of Arizona
Certified Nurse Navigator
Terri has been with Comprehensive Breast Center of Arizona since the inception of the practice. She was certified in the first pilot program of Breast Patient Navigators through the National Consortium of Breast Centers. Terri provides guidance from the patients initial diagnosis throughout their treatment and recovery and facilitates the referral process to other providers in the patients treatment plan. Terri is instrumental in providing ongoing support and information about services available to the patient and their families. Terri received her nursing degree from Indiana Vocational Technical College and has over twenty years experience assisting in the operating room as a surgical nurse. She is an active member of the National Coalition of Oncology Nurse Navigators and the Oncology Nursing Society.For more information, visit www.azbreastcenter.com
Teresa Hill
Circle of Help
Teresa Hill is the Circle of Help Advanced Breast Cancer support group facilitator. She is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and a single mother of two sons. She is a breast cancer survivor. In 2005 she underwent a double mastectomy (chose not to reconstruct) and survived chemotherapy. In 2009 she created the first metastatic-only breast cancer support group in the Valley of the Sun. In a pastors office in Phoenix, with one Stage IV friend looking for support and meeting another who became partners, the group was formed. She has since helped dozens of women on this journey. In 2011 she became a facilitator for Bosom Buddies of Arizona. She has spoken to many, from small groups to conferences (Phoenix Annual Facing Cancer with the Faith Community). Her goal is to help those going through advanced breast cancer, everlasting chemo and treatments to know they are not alone and to maintain the best quality of life. She enjoys helping in her church community and at her sons school. When not helping others she enjoys camping and listening to nature.For more information, visit www.bosombuddies-az.org/category/support-groups/circle-of-help
Paulla Miller
John C. Lincoln Breast Health Research Center
Paulla Miller is the Community Outreach and Patient Resource Manager at John C. Lincoln Breast Health and Research Center in Phoenix, Arizona. This position allows her to share her passion of educating women and medical professionals about breast health, navigating women and their families through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Paulla aids women and their support systems in finding needed resources such as; financial assistance, treatment funds, family services, transportation and other supportive care for women in all stages of cancer care, newly diagnosed through palliative and end of life.
Paulla speaks throughout the State of Arizona advocating for young women. She is frequently interviewed by local and national media to share her personal story and the importance of breast exams and awareness of resources available to women and their caregivers. In 2008, at the age of 35 Paulla was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. After 15 months of effective treatments and surgeries, Paulla began the next step of her life journey advocating for women by volunteering her time to newly diagnosed women through community partnerships.
Aside from it all, Paulla prides herself in being a wife and mother of two.
For more information, visit www.JCL.com/breasthealth
Frank Nagy
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Phoenix
Frank oversees the Komen Phoenix community grants program, ensuring the Affiliate continues to meet needs identified by its biennial Community Profile Report. He also serves as the first point of contact to those requesting breast health and breast cancer care support. As a former Government Grants Specialist for a local non profit, Franks strengths include grant compliance monitoring, staff and grant program management, grant writing and relationship development. Having a grandmother who is a ten year double mastectomy survivor, Frank is excited to work for the local Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, an organization he considers the gold standard among nonprofits.For more information, visit their www.komenphoenix.org
Rose Olivarez
American Cancer Society
Quality of Life Manager
Rose recruits and trains multiple volunteers to work at four Cancer Resource Centers in the East Valley. She has been working for the American Cancer Society for over twelve years. Rose is also a 13 year ovarian cancer survivor.For more information, visit www.cancer.org
Holly Rose
Dont Be a Chump, Check for a Lump
Holly earned a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from UNLV. She is currently a homemaker and strives to be a positive influence in her community. She holds positions in the PTO at her childrens school, the National Charity League and the Arizona Breast Cancer Resource Guide Committee.
After battling breast cancer, she founded the Live And Give Foundation, Inc. a non-profit organization whose mission is to motivate women to perform breast self-exams through their educational campaign Dont be a Chump! Check for a Lump! They also directly assist women going through breast cancer treatment through their Wig Out program, which offers free custom wigs to women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
In addition, she is a self-published author, writing her memoir Live and Give: Facebooking My Way Through Breast Cancer.
For more information, visit checkforalump.com
Virginia Warren
Arizona Department of Health Services HealthCheck Programs
Virginia earned her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Arizona. The focal points of her course work were health administration, health economics and finance. During her twenty five year health care career she has worked in the following settings: hospitals, managed care, academic clinics, federally qualified community health centers and the state department of health. As the ADHS HealthCheck Programs Office Chief, she is responsible for providing Arizonas communities with services in the following areas: breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. The goal of these programs is to increase associated screening rates for all Arizonans and to decrease morbidity and mortality related to these cancers. Her interests outside of the work place include: walking, cooking, and reading in addition to Arizona Wildcat and Phoenix Suns basketball.For more information, visit www.azdhs.gov/hsd/healthcheck/index.htm
Carole Weishaar
The Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona
Carole is a 17 year cancer survivor and her passion for life is evident in her community leadership roles. She currently serves as the Founder, a community outreach liaison and past President of the Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona. She is a past active member of Metropolitan Association of Business Executives, an American Cancer Society advocate for uninsured women throughout the state of Arizona, a liaison to the National Breast Cancer Coalition, past president of Soroptimist International of the San Tans, an international womens service organization, and an advocate for women through her work with a domestic violence taskforce and Planned Parenthood. In 2002, Carole received certification for grant writing to secure the monies needed for a mammogram screening program designed to benefit low income and uninsured women. Through ongoing collaborative efforts with grantors, major health organizations, corporations and individuals, the Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona seeks to provide life saving screenings and diagnostics for low income women and their families in culturally diverse communities.
Carole has worked in the travel industry for more than 21 years and is currently an independent luxury travel consultant with Frosch International Travel, Scottsdale, AZ. Her extensive personal travel adventures and those she creates for clients reflect her passion for living. Carole brings to her career as a travel professional a background as an account manager in corporate America with more than 20 years of retail marketing experience.
For more information, visit www.desertcanceraz.org