Sisters Network, Inc. Provides Vital Resource to African American Women
Sisters Network, Inc. (SNI) is a national non-profit organization and sisterhood of members that supports African American breast cancer survivors. With over 40 nationally recognized chapters, SNI’s Chicago chapter serves both the south side and south suburban Chicago municipalities.
Founded in 1994 by its current CEO, Karen E. Jackson, a 16 year breast cancer survivor, SNI’s network of breast cancer survivors provide encouragement, outreach programs, a support system, friendship and information specific to African American women who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer and/or have a reoccurring battle with breast cancer.
According to a 2013-2014 fact sheet released by the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 27,060 new cases of breast cancer has affected African American women in 2013. Also noted from the fact sheet, was from 2002-2008, the relative survival rate for African American women diagnosed with breast cancer was 78% compared to 90% for Caucasian women due to a myriad of factors including access to health care.
“Sister’s Network helped to save my life in a sense,” said Annie Jones, president, Sisters Network, Inc., Chicago chapter. “I have very close network of family and friends and support but nobody really knows what you’re going through like a person going through it. You have the freedom to discuss things that you’re a little reluctant to discuss with your family because you don’t want worry them like your fears and concerns.”
Jones, a 16 year breast cancer survivor, learned of SNI through a friend and was initially skeptical, assuming the organization only focused on “just doom and gloom”, however, after attending a few meetings she discovered that the organization was a valuable resource.
SNI’s Chicago chapter meets twice a month at South Shore Hospital, 8201 S. Ashland Ave., every second Saturday from 12 pm to 2 pm and at Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Center, 2028 Elm Rd, Homewood, Ill. every third Wednesday from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.
“Many people that come don’t have a clue as to what the next step is other than their treatment and they need to look around and see other women that are surviving,” said Jones. “We have people who are two year survivors all the way up to 30 years survivors.”
When asked by the Chicago Citizen Newspaper if SNI can make the difference in surviving breast cancer or not, Jones replied, “I think it can with the support of others; You need to know that there is someone you can call upon or someplace that you can go to exhale or to get some information or get those much needed resources that you need and it’s an ongoing thing.”
On Oct. 25, SNI’s Chicago chapter will host its 13th Annual Fashion Show and Fundraiser at Georgios Banquets, 8800 W. 159th Street in Orland Park, Ill.
For more information about Sisters Network, Inc.’s Chicago chapter visit http://www.sistersnetworkchicagochapter.org/index.html.
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