April 2008
One of our more popular outreach programs is
“Friends Like Me”, which provides free care
packages to women diagnosed with breast cancer
within the past 6 months. Each care package
contains important and timely information about
treatment and support from a variety of
organizations. It also includes a pink ribbon
pin, donated and complimentary gifts such as
cosmetics and books, and much much more.
So how does it happen that the woman actually
receives this wonderful gift on her front
porch? What is involved in this process from
beginning to end? I’m glad you asked!
First and foremost is
collecting materials and resources to put in the
package itself. Some of the materials are items
that we get printed – brochures, newsletters, pens,
pink ribbons, etc. But a lot of the contents are
donated from individuals, organizations or
corporations that staffer Kim Eubanks asks for. If
there’s one thing we’ve learned at the PBCC, it’s
that nobody will give you anything if you never ask
for it! Thank goodness we have enough storage space
in our new office for all of our generously donated
items.
Then our faithful volunteer,
Dennis, places PBCC stickers on most of the
contents. These stickers remind women where these
materials came from in case they ever have any
questions or need additional information. Then the
assembly line production can begin!
Dennis typically assembles 100
care packages at a time, with the help of a friend
or staff person. Each one gets pink tissue paper
inside, the stack of literature, any other “goodies”
we have on hand, and PBCC materials.
Then Lorie, another regular
volunteer, adds customized information depending on
course of treatment, family situation, children’s
ages, etc. Lorie labels the boxes, seals them, and
gives them to staffer, Carol Burkholder, for
shipping.
In 2007, we shipped out over
700 Friends Like Me care packages. We certainly
would not be able to offer this vital service to the
women of Pennsylvania without our generous donors,
volunteers and staff. Special thanks to Dennis and
Lorie for keeping this program running!
If you know of someone who
could use this resource, please
click here and request
one of our Friends Like Me care packages.
Heather Hibshman
Executive Director
