The CHICS Board is currently working to establish a Phone Bank as a support resource for newly diagnosed breast and gynecologic cancer patients. For some new patients, coming to a CHICS meeting (second Tuesday of each month) fills their need to talk with other women who have walked the same path. But if the diagnosis comes on the second Wednesday of a month, a woman may not want to wait a month before speaking with other breast cancer survivors. Also, some women prefer to share their story and questions with an individual rather than a group.

Therefore, we are asking you, the caring women of our Support Group, to be a part of this Phone Bank. Here is how it will work: a newly diagnosed patient contacts the Phone Bank Coordinator indicating her desire to talk with a survivor. The coordinator matches her with a survivor similar in diagnosis and age and calls the survivor giving her the name and phone number of the patient. The survivor calls the patient and offers her hope by listening to her story, answering her questions (non-medical), and sharing her own experience, if appropriate. When you are called, if the time if not convenient for you, you may pass and another survivor will be called to make the contact.

The CHICS Board hopes that the Support Group, through its meetings, speakers, celebrative events and individuals, has been helpful to you and we ask you now to pass on this care and concern to others by agreeing to be apart of the Phone Bank. If you are willing to do this, please fill out the Phone Bank form and return it to CHICS, Oakwood Breast Care Center, 880 Century Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 or by email at chics17043@yahoo.com.