Reach To Recovery Program

This Sunday is National Cancer Survivors Day. As many of you know, being diagnosed with cancer is a traumatic event. Immediately you want to know how, why, and if you are going to live. Because good news matters, theres a program in Arkansas that is helping to answer a few of these questions for women. "I was diagnosed in 86 the first time." "I had gone on a trip in January and found it myself in the shower." Every three minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. It happened to Sharon Greene and Michelle Clark. Sharon Greene Breast Cancer Survivor "It was very scary and I did think it was a death sentence because I never knew anybody who survived cancer." When Sharon was first diagnosed in 1986, there was very little in the way of literature and support groups. Like many women, Sharon felt overwhelmed and had many unanswered questions. "I never knew anyone who had breast cancer." Her cancer came back in 1998. She once again beat the odds and is now approaching nine years - cancer free. "Once you have cancer, you are a survivor. Survive means to live and I think I am living. It hasnt gotten me down. You can make a negative into a positive." After successfully beating cancer a second time, Sharon decided to give back by volunteering for the American Cancer Societys Reach To Recovery Program, a peer support group for women with breast cancer. As a volunteer, Sharon visits with newly diagnosed women - dropping off a breast cancer care packet and offering a shoulder to lean on. "I think it makes a world of difference to be able to visit with someone who has gone through what I am going through.” Michelle Clark Breast Cancer Survivor "Thats the biggest thing, just to know that someone has lived through it." In 2003 when Michelle Clark found a lump in her breast, Sharon was there to help. "She came to the hospital. She brought food and everything. We turned out to be very close" Now, like Sharon, Michelle too is giving back - sharing her story of survival. "I get called about once a week - someone that knows someone that has been diagnosed that asks will I call or will I go." "I think anyone that is alone - thats a tough thing. We are out there. There are plenty of us that would be glad to help.” If you are a breast cancer survivor and would like to become a Reach To Recovery volunteer or need their services - contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or log on to www.cancer.org.