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Breast Friends was founded in Oregon in 2000 by Becky Olson and Sharon Henifin. We started as a grass-roots organization to help women in Oregon and SW Washington, but we registered the trademark with the US Patent and Trademark office, just in case. Over the last several years, we’ve had numerous requests to start affiliates in new locations. Finally, in 2009, we met two incredible women in Florida and launched our second location by opening our Florida Affiliate. Under the leadership of Sherry Palmer, they are growing and helping tremendous numbers of women in the Melbourne area. In 2011, we began conversation with some amazing survivors in Pennsylvania. In 2012, we turned this conversation into our third location by launching an affiliate in Stroudsburg, PA. Under the leadership of Kelli Mercurio and Vivian Vega-Schoch, we anticipate great success.
We are proud to introduce you to our affiliates. Â
Breast Friends of Florida was established in 2009 by Connie Chiles-Cooke (Retired) and Sherry Palmer, both breast cancer survivors. Under their leadership, they developed a strong regional advisory board and have helped hundreds of patients. In 2011 Connie retired and now spends time with her husband. Sherry and the board are continuing to build the programs and raise awareness for Breast Friends throughout Florida and specifically Brevard County.
Breast Friends was founded in Oregon in 2000. The Oregon Affiliate began as the one and only chapter, but it now has become the first of what we hope are many affiliates. Since our inception, we have helped thousands of local patients and their families. Oregon is the testing ground for all Breast Friends programs and offers all program services. Other specialty services unique to the Oregon Affiliate include a prosthesis, bra and wig closet, and a small retail boutique offering items unique to the breast and ovarian cancer cause.
Breast Friends is proud to announce the launch of our new affiliate in Stroudsburg, PA. The Directors are two fabulous women, Vivian Vega and Kelli Mercurio who have been friends for many years. Vivian was diagnosed in 2004, and Kelli was diagnosed in 2010. They supported each other through their journeys. After treatment, they both realized that not all women are as fortunate. Many don’t have the level of support they each had and they began searching for a way to bring their passion and heart to help the many cancer patients in Pennsylvania.
Though our focus is to build our programs to reach their maximum impact in each current location, we are open to strategic growth in new areas. We have several requests each year to start a new affiliate in various locations, but there are requirements. Here are the things to consider if you are interested in joining our family: