Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada provides a variety of unique services and programs to help the tens of thousands of Canadians affected by breast cancer. Check out the links below to learn more…

• Willow's Peer Support Program - Breast cancer information and emotional support given by trained breast cancer survivors
• Willow's Community & Corporate Education Program - Educating companies and their employees about how to support staff members impacted by breast cancer
• Willow's Breast Cancer Support Network Program - Helping survivors start and sustain support groups across Canada

*WHAT'S NEW?*

• Retreat Yourself 2008 is a free weekend retreat for young adult patients/survivors (aged 18 - 35) who have been diagnosed with cancer and one supporter. It is taking place July 17-21, 2008 in Montreal. Retreat Yourself is designed to teach coping skills, provide practical information and most importantly build a community of survivors. Check out www.realtimecancer.org/Retreat.asp for all the details!

• Nona's Story: Your Story is a guided journal designed to help you discover yourself, create your story and build your legacy. Author Rosana Sablic has taken an intimate personal relationship with her grandmother and crafted it into a guided journal of self-awareness. The book can be purchased at www.sanaworks.org . A percentage of book sales will be donated to Willow.

• Check out A Gift From the Stars for the benefit of Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada!  Chef Daniel Racine will bring together 300 female chefs to contribute to this meaningful cookbook.  Order your advance copy today!
• Wood Haven country lodge in the Kawarthas offers free lodging for breast cancer patients and their caregivers. For more information visit www.woodhavencountrylodge.com.
• Lisa Tugnette's emotional journey Reflections of a Woman My Memoir of Breast Cancer: Loss, Love & Laughter can be purchased at her website Reflections of a Woman. A percentage of book sales will be donated to Willow.

Seeking Study Participants:

• The Faculty of Medecine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Dalhousie University has developed an online survey to determine preferences regarding breast reconstruction in women who have undergone a previous mastectomy and reconstruction and are subsequently faced with a mastectomy on the opposite breast. Researchers are interested to know whether a scar pattern's size or its symmetry with respect to the previous reconstruction is more important. To take the survey, please visit http://plastics.medicine.dal.ca/survey.htm

• Research participants in Calgary, Alberta or Vancouver, British Columbia are currently being sought to be part of a study that is comparing the effectiveness of three support programs offered by the cancer agencies in these centers. If you are female, have completed all primary treatment longer than 3 months ago and would like to be part of this important project please contact Barbara Pickering by email at barbpick@cancerboard.ab.ca or by phone at 403-355-3219 for more information. This research is supported by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance.

• A new research study on Body Image after treatment for breast cancer will examine what is most helpful for women to cope with issues such as body image, sexuality and relationships after breast cancer treatment. For more information, visit www.bodyimageafterbreastcancer.com or contact the Study Coordinator Susan Clarke, RN at (416) 340-4800 ext 6269 or the Principal Investigator Dr. Mary Jane Esplen at (416) 340-3024 at the Toronto General Research Institute.

• Seeking volunteers for a two-year study about women with breast cancer who decline one or more conventional treatments and use complementary therapies. The study is open to women living in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. This research is funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance. For moreinformation, contact Dr.Marja Verhoef at 1-866-834-4369 or go to www.fp.ucalgary.ca/breastcancerstudy .
• A new study funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance is looking at the links between breast cancer survivors' general relationship approaches, their support behaviours in relationships, and their overall well-being. They are looking for participants to complete a questionnaire. For more information and to register to participate, please go to: www.healthandrelationships.ca.