MISSION STATEMENT
Women Of Color Breast Cancer Survivors' Support Project (WOC) has a mission to provide emotional support and crisis intervention to women of caolor breast cancer survivors and their families; to educate individuals and communities on breast health and knowledge of early detection; to effect public policy and social change regarding breast health awareness, including culturally sensitive research.
TAX ID# 95-4455930
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SELF-ADVOCACY
In the struggle for our lives and the lives of those yet to be diagnosed, we fought for culturally relevant health care, access to fresh fruits and vegetables, earlier diagnosis, appropriate cancer treatment, disability benefits and mental health support. We found ourselves in warrior stance against systems of racial, social and economic injustice.
Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Furby was first diagnosed with breast cancer in the early 90’s. A mother, wife and former educator, she researched support groups in her community, finding a home in the of Women of Color Breast Cancer Survivor’s Support Project (WOC). Cancer would come back three other times, all of which she beat with a smile. Grateful for the support of her survivor sisterhood, Jackie fast became a recruiter and lead cheer leader for WOC. A lover of people and silly jokes, Jackie made daily calls to encourage other women undergoing treatment and recovery. As it was her belief that “No woman should face cancer alone.”
Jackie was a part of the inaugural facilitators for our EACH ONE TEACH ONE community breast health education program where for nearly 30 years, Jackie used her passion for teaching to educate black and other women of color at high risk for breast cancer, on breast health and cancer prevention. Using her comforting spirit she also navigated breast cancer survivors from diagnosis to recovery, scheduling appointment reminders and coordinating transportation and regular wellness checks.
WOC acknowledges the unique challenges women of color face in the healthcare system and the inherent strength it takes to confront them. The Jackie Furby Legacy Award provides emergency financial assistance to women of color recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The award is granted to help ease the unexpected financial burdens that accompany a cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
A Spirit of Joy Our mission in providing this legacy award is to honor Jackie and the spirit of joy and hope she embodied. By providing meaningful support to women of color navigating breast cancer for the first time., allowing them to focus on healing rather than financial strain, we intend to continue Jackie’s commitment to uplifting others during their most challenging moments.
Eligibility Requirements: this award utilizes a nomination process. The applicant is nominated by a person familiar with their commitment to others and health condition. Eligible nominees meeting the following criteria are eligible for the award:
- Women of color with a breast cancer diagnosis within the past 12 calendar months
- Recipient will have a demonstrated financial need related to diagnosis and treatment
- Recipient’s life and work examples the spirit of resilience that Jackie Furby exemplified
Application Steps
- Complete the award application with personal information and diagnosis details
- Submit a brief personal statement describing nominated journey and intended use of funds
- Provide documentation of financial need.
WOC goals are to care for one another through support groups and provide outreach to breast cancer survivors in treatment;
Provide emergency intervention for women of color members in treatment and provide relief from the burden of a breast cancer diagnosis;
Provide breast health education to individuals and the community and provide resources and information on breast health;
And We support culturally sensitive research, engage in grassroots lobbying at the state and federal levels in support of relevant breast cancer legislation
SUPPORT
- Care for one another through support groups
- Outreach to breast cancer survivors in treatment
INTERVENTION
- Emergency intervention for women of color members in treatment
- Relief from the burden of a breast cancer diagnosis
EDUCATION
- Breast health education to individuals and the community
- Resources and information on breast cancer
CHANGE
- Support of culturally sensitive research
- Grassroots lobbying at the state and federal levels.
We offer a variety of resources, services and support to survivors, their families and their respective communities.
Our services include:
- Support groups and counseling services for survivors and family.
- Free health and wellness workshops for survivors and their families to introduce self-management tools to address co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, other cancers and more.
- Free early detection/self-examination techniques training.
- Free health care resource packets and emergency support to member survivor families in crisis.
- Rider relief and transportation support for survivors in treatment or health maintenance.
- Crisis intervention for survivors in treatment, and emergency financial relief from a cancer diagnosis (on a case-by-case evaluation) .
- Access and navigation assistance for breast cancer survivors to guide them through the full treatment process by a fully trained advocate who has been through the process herself.
- WOC will assist survivors in the creation of a long-term Self-Care plan that coordinates the follow-up medical care received from all doctors and caregivers.
As breast cancer advocates, WOC serves on the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) Board of Directors and continues to effect major change annually to the NBCC Advocacy Training Conference and “Lobby Day” on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C
Some Health Condition Statistics
Disease Non-Hispanic Black Non-Hispanic White Obesity 48.6% 40.2%% Hypertension 57.1% 43.7% Heart Disease 22.6% 18% Breast Cancer 27.6% 19.7% Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease) 53% 36% Diabetes 38.8% 19.1%
- Family History
- BRCA1/BRCA2 High Risk Genes
- Ionizing Radiation
- Tobacco Smoke
- Alcohol Consumption
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Obesity/ Being Overweight
- Sedentary/Lack of Exercise
- Reproductive History
- Sleep Disruption (ie shift work with circadian disruption)
Local
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
Radiation for Breast Cancer
- External beam radiation: This type of radiation comes from a machine outside the body.
- Internal radiation (brachytherapy): For this treatment, a radioactive source is put inside the body for a short time.
Systemic
- After surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy):
- Before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
- Anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and epirubicin (Ellence)
- Taxanes, such as paclitaxel (Taxol) and docetaxel (Taxotere)
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
Chemo drugs that areuseful in treating women with breast cancer that has spread (metastatic) include:
- Taxanes, such as paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere), and albumin-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane)
- Anthracyclines (Doxorubicin, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, and Epirubicin)
- Platinum agents (cisplatin, carboplatin)
- Vinorelbine (Navelbine)
- Capecitabine (Xeloda)
- Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
- Ixabepilone (Ixempra) Albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel or Abraxane)
- Eribulin (Halaven)
- Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
- Targeted therapy for Breast Cancer
- Treatment of Breast Cancer by Stage
- Treating Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
Rapid advancements in diagnoses and treatments are taking place now through vigorous new and continuing research and clinical trials.
It’s important to volunteer for Clinical Trials to ensure proper representation of all populations. You receive the highest quality care and potential to receive new and/or improved treatments.
