Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). It is such a common diagnosis that, according to the NBCF, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. With the American Cancer Society expecting there to be about 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 62,930 news cases of non-invasive breast cancer diagnosed nationwide by the end of the year, the need for community resources and support is growing.
That is what the local nonprofit organization, My Hope Bag, has been able to provide for women in every stage of the breast cancer journey. Founded by Sarah Ellery in 2011, the organization has provided bags of comfort items, resources and support for over 2,000 women in Arizona.
“It is my heartfelt desire to help answer questions, give comfort and encourage others and help lighten their load while facing the fight of their life,†Ellery says. “Every bag of hope delivered means one more person knows that she is loved and cared about by someone who understands what she is going through.â€
Ellery was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, taking her through a journey that many women take each year. It was during this journey that she envisioned a program that provided emotional support and items that would bring physical comfort to women through each step of the process, start to finish.
“There were so many questions at the beginning, and it was very scary,†Ellery says. “Everyone needs hope when facing this fight.â€
After her journey, Ellery founded My Hope Bag in 2011. What was once a grocery bag with a generic logo on it has changed over the years, now they are large pink totes filled with comfort items such as blankets, fuzzy socks, hard candies, chapstick, nutrition guides, local resources and stories from other survivors.
A group of volunteers called Hope Sisters give their time to hand-deliver bags and have a conversation with the recipient to evaluate her needs for support and resources. At least one Hope Sister involved in every delivery is a breast cancer survivor.
“When given a bag, the recipient is encouraged to talk about what she is going through with someone who has been there,†says Ellery.
Twice a year, My Hope Bag also presents a breast cancer resource expo, where vendors can present products, resources and services that will assist breast cancer patients in their journey and healing process. These resources range from the obvious needs of a cancer patient, such as wigs for hair loss due to chemotherapy and undergarments and prosthetics post mastectomy, to more home-based resources such as providing house cleaning services one per month for up to four months while the patient is receiving chemotherapy.
“This is an invaluable program since many women have no idea what to do next or how to find means to help them,†Ellery says.
Alongside the resources My Hope Bag provides for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, the organization also assists in efforts for early detection by partnering with Solis Mammography to provide free mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women in the Valley.
“We know early detection can save lives,†says Ellery. “We don’t want anyone delaying it because of finances.â€
With the American Cancer Society estimating that there will be 5,630 new cases of breast cancer in Arizona this year, resources like My Hope Bag are vital in bringing support and comfort to patients and survivors.
While the bags bring support and comfort to women on the breast cancer journey, each bag costs between $35-$45, including the cost of filling the bag and either hand-delivering or shipping it. Individuals looking to support My Hope Bag and their mission can do so through monetary contributions, donations of goods to fill the bags or volunteering time and energy for the organization and its events.
“My Hope Bag calls on its community to help provide for the bags,†says Ellery. “We couldn’t do what we do without them.â€
Hope bags are available upon request to be delivered to any Arizona resident who has received a breast cancer diagnosis. Requests for a hope bag can be made through My Hope Bag’s website at http://www.myhopebag.org.
