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LBBC at 25: No one with breast cancer needs to go it alone

In 1991, a small group of Philadelphia women with breast cancer, led by radiation oncologist Marisa C. Weiss, got together to talk and to learn. Many had families; most worried about their futures. It was the era before our current networked culture, and all had been unable to find the resources and support they needed.

"I'm not sure how she processed all that she was enduring," says Margaux Jacks of her mother, Nancy Garbowski, part of that original group of women who founded Living Beyond Breast Cancer. "This was before you could Google about treatment options and medications. She wanted people to be able to talk about the disease, and to not feel as though it was some ugly thing that needed to be kept secret."

Twenty-five years later, breast cancer for most is thankfully no longer a secret. Women and men facing breast cancer—and their loved ones—now have resources and public understanding unimaginable in 1991. Millions walk, race, practice yoga, shop, and participate in events to raise funds and awareness. What's more, there's growing understanding that breast cancer is not a single disease and that those affected by it are not all the same. We have advocacy groups for metastatic breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, familes with hereditary risk , and more. People of different ages, races, ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, and more have come forward to tell their stories and express their needs.

While we still have a long way to go, the ability to find information, share experiences, and advocate for research and support makes a huge difference for many people dealing with breast cancer and its effects. When Nancy volunteered for LBBC, says her daughter, "She had a sense of power, as she took control of her illness. She was making the decisions, not cancer. And there was support. She had friends she could call. They would help each other delivering meals when someone was home from surgery. They made pretty head wraps so they could still feel beautiful. It became a family."

As LBBC marks its 25th Anniversary in 2016, we are proud of the strides that we and others have made to fulfill our mission: ensuring that no one affected by breast cancer feels uninformed or alone. While we started with a few staff and a shelf of books, we now have a staff of 30 serving more than 500,000 people nationwide every year. Our timeline reflects how society has evolved to promote information sharing, embracing of differences, and taking charge of one's health. You can see more about what we do in this video.

If someone you know is facing breast cancer, let them know that they don't have to go it alone. Whether one prefers anonymity or connection, whether high-tech or tech-averse, there are resources to suit every person at every stage, from guides, conferences and helplines to webinars and Twitter chats. As we look back on 25 years, we realize how far we've come. Here's hoping that 25 years from now, we will look back and count even more strides.

Jean Sachs is the CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national nonprofit that since 1991 has provided information and support for those affected by breast cancer. Learn more about their programs and services at LBBC.ORG

Read more Diagnosis: Cancer here »