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| Becky Olson | Sharon Henifin |
Becky and Sharon are co-founders of Breast Friends
Your Premiere Resource for Women and
Families Facing a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer,
Ovarian Cancer, or Other Women’s Cancers.
For more information, visit www.breastfriends.org, or email becky@breastfriends.org or sharon@breastfriends.org
The Beginning of Breast Friends…Because We Understand
Co-founders Becky Olson and Sharon Henifin are honored to share their stories, and hope you will find support and comfort in the work to which they have dedicated their lives: Helping women survive the trauma of cancer…one friend at a time. Both are cancer survivors. They became acquainted in 1991 as co-workers at a corporation in Portland, Oregon. In 1993, Sharon was the first in their circle of friends to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Becky received her first diagnosis three years later, in 1996.
During the next few years and through their own experiences, both women realized that friends, though well-intentioned, were unsure of how to help. As a result, Becky and Sharon often found themselves feeling isolated and afraid, as though they were fighting the disease alone.
In August, 2000, the women met for lunch and discussed starting a nonprofit to benefit breast cancer patients by teaching their friends and family how to offer appropriate help. They chose the name “Breast Friends,” registered it with the state of Oregon, and started to work establishing a website. With great pride, they opened a bank account with two $50.00 checks from their first speaking engagement. In 2001, the fledgling organization received their 501(c)3 federal tax exemption. Breast Friends, with the mission “helping women survive the trauma of breast cancer… one friend at a time,” was truly underway.