THE NEWS DESK
links to informative stories concerning Breast Cancer:

Chemo fails to root out breast cancer stem cells: study

Breast Cancer Unchanged in Black Women, Despite Drop in HRT Use

Clinton Unveils Plan to Find Cure for Breast Cancer on the Ellen DeGeneres Show

My cancer battle not over: Kylie Minogue

Green Tea Ingredient, EGCG, Significantly Inhibits Breast Cancer Growth In Female Mice

Lessening fatigue of cancer survivors

Cancer gene is tie that binds

Family Discussion Plays Role in Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy Works in Fewer, But Higher Doses

Possible Cause Of 'Chemo Brain' In Breast Cancer Patients Found

Breast Cancer In Black Women May Be Connected To Neighborhood Conditions, Study Suggests

Study: More Women Can Cut Cancer Relapse Risk

Study Finds Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Insurance

Breast disorders in men

3-D Mammography Adds New Dimension to Breast Cancer Screening

Florida fares poorly in breast cancer report

BRCA genes raise breast cancer risk for men too

Combo PET/CT Scan Helps Spot Breast Cancer's Spread
Technique helps detect metastases earlier for women with inflammatory breast cancer, study finds

Radar Technology Fights Breast Cancer

Non-Caucasians At Higher Risk For Severe Metastatic Breast Cancer Pain

More Women Are Choosing Double Mastectomy Even When Breast Cancer Is Confined To A Single Breast

Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer

Radiation 'Boost' Can Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence
Women Who Get Extra Dose Nearly Twice as Likely to Be Cancer-Free in 10 Years

Smoking Does Not Worsen Breast Cancer

Study: Breast cancer is more aggressive in black women

Breast cancer returns more often in black women

Women With Breast Cancer Have Less Dermatitis When Treated With IMRT

See more news by clicking here

***BREAKING NEWS***
 
We have some important news to share with you about COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH, INC.   
On March 21, we received notification that our application for tax exempt status has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service.  We are now an official 501(c)(3) public charity!  That means your donations to us are tax deductible under the appropriate IRS federal tax codes.  
We are very excited about continuing our efforts to reach out to  Central Florida breast cancer patients and their families.  And we look forward to your help!

Thank you Chad and Christina R. for a very generous financial contribution!

Thanks to Lori Newman of GBITBEARS INC. for a donation of teddy bears for our client/friends. Please visit the company's website: Grin and Bear It

Thank you to Hosea and Mary E. for their generous financial contribution!

Thank you to Jane W. for a generous financial contribution in memory of breast cancer survivor Stacy Hutchins of Washington, DC.

Thanks to graphics designer Matthew Wilt for his expertise on our new promotional materials.
You can contact Matthew at idealinsight53@aol.com
His website is www.myspace.com/taskentertainment

Thanks to SHE LOVES TO DO LAUNDRY for providing laundry service for a month for one of our clients/friends.
For more information on this unique business, contact she@shelovestodolaundry.com
Website: She Loves to do Laundry

Thanks to realtor Marci Kelly for a $1500 financial donation to COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH.  Marci is also a breast cancer survivor, who has made a commitment to donate a portion of her commissions from real estate transactions to breast cancer causes. COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS is honored to be her first recipient.
If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, PLEASE contact Marci Kelly of Coldwell Banker in Oviedo, FL at 407-365-9090 or 407-592-2301. Or you can e-mail Marci at marcihomescb@yahoo.com.

Hello and Welcome to Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach!
We are here for you.

When I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in 2004, I knew God had a purpose in allowing this journey into my life. I knew that part of that purpose would be education. So I shared my story with viewers in Central Florida who've watched me over the years at WFTV Channel 9, where I anchor the morning and noon newscasts. From that came some awesome opportunities to speak at community events and get involved with local efforts to fight cancer.

But I always felt as if I should be doing more. Compassionate Hands and Hearts is that "more". Some wonderful friends who are also breast cancer survivors and others who have a heart for the cause are working with me in an effort to truly have an impact on the lives of breast cancer patients and their families here in Central Florida.

Those of us who've experienced this journey know that even with our amazing family and friends supporting us, there were times when we could have used an extra pair of hands to run an errand, accompany us to a doctor's visit or just listen while we vent. We want Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach to be that for you.

Again, welcome to our website and welcome to our family of survivors and supporters.

Vanessa Echols
Founder
 

Click here to see this amazing breast cancer resource!

Click here for another great resource for breast cancer patients and survivors!

PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES

Studio Cara

Traveling Right - Liz Otts, RTA

Sisters Network Orlando

Cancer Care Centers Foundation

Madness of Motherhood
Click here to hear their podcast which has an interview with our own Vanessa about Compassionate Hands and Hearts! (about 10min in)

She Loves to do Laundry

Sissy Made It

United Church of the Nazarene

Athletic Preparatory Institute

OurHometownDirectory.com

Sisters Network

Chix Making the Difference

COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH received a request from Troy, who wanted us to do something special for the love of his life, Tammy. They're newlyweds! They were married shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a few weeks ago. Tammy is currently undergoing chemotherapy, so Troy thought she deserved a day of pampering. And we agreed!A big thank you to Leslie.
Christin, the founder, developer and creative force behind Cara Cosmetics. Leslie and her team of makeup artists and hair stylist did a wonderful job of creating a new look for Tammy. She was already beautiful and looked like a million bucks with her new look.
The wonderful folks at Studio Cara also did a makeover for Liz Otts, the woman who coordinated Tammy and Troy's wedding in just two days!



Please check out the photos from Tammy's special day.
And visit Studio Cara's website!
Thank you Leslie and the gang!

COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS Founder Vanessa Echols, along with Sherlean Lee and Patricia Simmons of Sisters Network Orlando were special guests at the 6th Annual Caring Hearts Benefit in Brevard County, FL on Saturday, April 12. The event raises money for The Cancer Care Foundation of Brevard, Inc. The foundation provides financial assistance, support services and education to uninsured and underinsured cancer patients in Brevard and Indian River Counties. It is an amazing organization!

Pictured: Patricia; Sherlean; Vanessa and Evelyn Foster, the Foundation's Chairman of the Board
 

ROAD TRIP:

On March 22, COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS volunteers took a road trip to Lake County, FL.  We visited Lea, a recently diagnosed breast cancer patient who's taking chemotherapy.

We were contacted by one of Lea's co-workers.  Like many cancer patients, Lea says she's had a difficult time asking for help because she doesn't want to be a burden.  And she's had a hard time talking about what she is going through.
Through a few tears and A LOT of laughter, our volunteers let her know that what she's feeling is perfectly normal, and we've all been there at some point in our journey.  We also presented her with one of our special gift baskets.

By the way, this was our first outreach project wearing our new HANDS AND HEARTS shirts.

(Click on the picture above or here for more from this outreach)

See some of our past outreaches by clicking here