The 264-page Resource Directory is a joint endeavor of the Breast Cancer Coalition of North Carolina and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The print directory is available free of charge upon request.
The Resource Directory contains comprehensive, county by county listings of support groups, suppliers of breast cancer products, and hospitals and cancer centers. It provides information and resources about diagnosis and treatment decisions, managing side effects and post-treatment issues, clinical trials, genetics, complementary therapies and end of life issues. The Resource Directory further addresses the needs of many women regarding financial assistance, insurance, employment and legal issues. It also provides information for special populations such as underserved ethnic populations, young women, lesbians and men with breast cancer.
The Resource Directory comes from people who know about breast cancer, many of whom have experienced it personally. Jamie Konarski, one of the Resource Directory Coordinators, is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Her treatment included mastectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation and bone marrow and stem cell transplant — all by the time she was 35 years of age.
A unique component of the Resource Directory is that patients can find more than medical information between the pages. A special section titled “Women Building Bridges” connects newly diagnosed women with breast cancer survivors across the state. Bridges volunteers listed in the Directory share brief information about their own breast cancer experience and how they can be reached. They are available to help other women who are dealing with breast cancer. Women can choose which Bridges volunteer they would like to talk with regardless of where they live in North Carolina.
Major contributors and sponsors of the Directory include: the N.C. Triangle Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, U.S. Women’s Open Wellness Fund (2001). Rex Healthcare Foundation, the Breast Cancer Fund, Breast Cancer Coalition of North Carolina, GlaxoSmithKline Oncology, American Cancer Society, Catawba Memorial Hospital, Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center, UNC Health Care, Genentech and Raleigh Community Hospital/Duke Hematology/Oncology Clinic.
For more information or to request a free copy of the Resource Directory, contact Jamie Konarski at or call 800-514-4860. You can also request a copy from or through the web site at .
For information about the Breast Cancer Coalition of North Carolina, call 800-419-5481 or see the web site at .
