🎗️💗 Caring for Yourself and Loved Ones During a Breast Cancer Diagnosis 💗🎗️

A breast cancer diagnosis impacts not only the person receiving it, but also their loved ones. It is a journey that requires strength, compassion, and support. Here are a few ways to care for yourself and others during this time:

 For Yourself

Allow yourself to feel – It’s natural to experience a wide range of emotions. Give yourself permission to grieve, hope, and heal.

Seek support – Join support groups, lean on friends, family, or professional counselors. You don’t have to walk this road alone.

Prioritize rest & nourishment – Your body and spirit need gentle care. Small acts of self-love add up to resilience.

 For Loved Ones

Listen with an open heart – Sometimes the best support is simply being present.

Offer practical help – Meals, rides, or running errands can ease daily burdens.

Encourage without pressure – Empower your loved one while respecting their choices and pace.

 Remember: Caring for yourself is not selfish, it is essential. By tending to your own wellbeing, you build the strength to support those you love.

Together, let us stand in hope, compassion, and courage.

Here are some resources:

 Medical / Clinical & Treatment Resources

• MSK Nassau (Uniondale, Nassau County)

Offers outpatient cancer treatment (chemo, immunotherapy, radiation) locally.

• Stony Brook Cancer Center (Suffolk County / Long Island region)

Offers support groups (in person and virtual) for cancer patients.

• Catholic Health Cancer Institutes — Long Island

Provides advanced breast imaging, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship care across Nassau and Suffolk.

• Long Island Jewish / R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Hospital (Northwell Health, Long Island)

Has a nationally accredited breast cancer program and multidisciplinary services.

• Mount Sinai South Nassau — Support & Education

They host a Breast Cancer Support Group and other cancer support services. ________________________________________

 Local Support, Peer Programs & Coalitions

• Breast Cancer Help, Inc. (Bay Shore, Suffolk County)

A grassroots group offering support programs, advocacy, and a wellness center.

• Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition (Suffolk County)

Provides support, education, and assistance (transport, meals, house cleaning) to those with breast or gynecological cancer in the Babylon area.

• North Fork Breast Health Coalition (Riverhead / Eastern Suffolk)

This coalition works on support, prevention, and provides grants via “Lend a Helping Hand” to patients in treatment.

• Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer (Nassau County)

A volunteer organization providing education, emotional support, outreach, and wellness grants.

• Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition (RVCBCC)

Their outreach offers emotional support, financial help, care counseling, and wellness services for those in Southern Nassau.

• Lean On Me Breast Cancer Network (Nassau County)

Offers free support services such as education, wellness seminars, patient care packages (wigs, bras), and support groups.

• West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition (Suffolk County)

Through its “Lend a Helping Hand” program, they assist with non-medical needs (house cleaning, meals, post-surgical apparel, transportation) for Long Island residents undergoing treatment.

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 Financial & Practical Assistance

• New York Cancer Foundation

They provide financial and transportation grants to cancer patients being treated in NYS. Their office is based in Shirley, NY (Suffolk).

• CancerCare (Long Island / Regional)

Oncology social workers help with financial support, counseling, resource navigation, and support groups.

• Good Samaritan Hospital (West Islip, Suffolk County)

Their Cancer Prevention & Control programs include support groups (breast cancer, family/friends), and a “Pink Ribbon Exercise Program” for recovery.

• Islip Breast Cancer Coalition (Suffolk County)

Through their “Lend a Helping Hand” program, they provide services like transportation, med-cost help, and home support to breast cancer patients.

— Wings of Guidance, Inc.