The Young Survival Coalition is the only international network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the critical concerns and issues unique to young women and breast cancer. Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC seeks to educate and influence the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities to address breast cancer in women 40 and under, and to serve as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer.

The YSC website, www.youngsurvivial.org, and its quarterly newsletter, "Young Perspective," provide information on YSC activities on the national front and in the local communities where its members reside. The Allison E. Fisher Memorial Fund is based in Maryland, therefore, it has become actively involved with the activities of the Maryland members of the YSC.

Maryland

In February 2003, Maryland members of the YSC attended the YSC's 3rd Annual Membership Retreat: Together Changing the Face of Breast Cancer held in Philadelphia, PA. Click on the image for a larger view.

Maryland members of the YSC meet quarterly on the third Thursday* of the month (March, June, September and December) in the greater Baltimore area to get to know each other, to explore topics of interest and to discuss their plans to advance the mission of the YSC in Maryland. Locations and times are on the YSC web site.

(Note: Sometimes the day of the month is changed to accommodate a spearker or location.)

The quarterly educational seminars, which are open to everyone, and a monthly support group session for young survivors is being funded for the April 2004/March 2005 year by a grant from the Maryland Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The grant program called "Breast Friends" is in partnership with the LifeBridge Health System. The monthly support group meetings are held at Sinai Hospital and the quarterly educational seminars rotate among area breast centers.

We plan to raise awareness in Maryland that young women CAN and DO get breast cancer and we will serve as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer. We will do this by participating in breast cancer awareness and advocacy activities coordinated by organizations like: the Maryland affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the breast cancer centers at hospitals, such as: Johns Hopkins, Mercy, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Sinai to name a few said, Deb Mendelson, co-chair of the steering committee for the Maryland members of the YSC.