ValleyCare Health Library Teams with HERS Breast Cancer Foundation to Open Specialty Boutique

By Jay Hipps, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

The ValleyCare Health Library, located in Hacienda at 5725 West Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 270, has provided a wealth of information to cancer patients since its founding. Now, thanks to a new partnership with the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer survivors will be able to add items such as prosthetics, bras, camisoles, and compression garments from a specialty boutique within the library.

"We are excited to be opening this boutique with the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation, a local non-profit whose name stands for Hope, Empowerment, Renewal, and Support," says Denise Estrada, manager of ValleyCare Cancer Services and Patient Resources.

The boutique, which opened on April 7, is initially open from 10 am to 5 pm every Tuesday. A certified fitter, available by appointment, provides personalized care, and HERS bills insurance companies directly to help clients receive maximum benefit, since many plans will pay for all, or a portion, of the garments. Thanks to the generosity of its donors, the non-profit foundation is frequently able to provide the garments to the uninsured at no cost, in accordance with the foundation's stated mission: "To support all women healing from breast cancer by providing post-surgical products and services regardless of financial status."

"We're there for the survivor and we take care of them throughout their whole journey so they can feel good about themselves and their bodies again," says Vera Packard, MD, executive director of the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation and a former breast cancer surgeon.

The HERS Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1998 by three women - Tricia McMahon, Cheryl Maloney, and Nancy Vital - a breast health consultant, a fund-raising executive, and a tax consultant who is also a breast cancer survivor. Out of their ongoing concern for the high incidence of breast cancer and the lack of specific services for breast cancer survivors, HERS was created.

Along with the Pleasanton boutique, the foundation also operates similar shops in conjunction with Washington Hospital in Fremont and at Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto.

The group will hold the 16th annual HERS Breast Cancer Foundation 5K Walk, 5K/10K Run and Community Expo on Saturday, September 26, at Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area in Fremont. The event brings together hundreds of breast cancer patients and survivors to rally family and friends to raise funds to support those who have battled breast cancer. The day begins with an opening ceremony in which doves are released by a circle of breast cancer survivors before participants hit the trail for their walk or run. A Community Expo, with booths from sponsors, non-profits, and service providers promoting health and wellness, awaits when they return. Whether you want to run or walk on your own or as part of a team, an easy online registration form at hersbreastcancerfoundation.org is the place to begin.

Appointments at the new ValleyCare/HERS Breast Cancer Foundation are available by calling (925) 734-3315. More information on the ValleyCare Health Library is available at www.valleycare.com under the "Health Resources" menu.

Photo: Selia Chapparro Certified Fitter and Chris Hubbard Program Director, at the HERS Breast Cancer Boutique, located in ValleyCare's Health Library

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