Survivors Offering Support

Inova offers free support for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients

Falls Church VA – (May 30, 2013) – Inova is proud to offer a new support program for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Survivors offering Support (SOS) brings together those newly diagnosed with trained volunteer mentors. These mentors, all breast cancer survivors themselves, provide knowledge, support, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on.

“Volunteers are trained mentors who provide an invaluable ‘buddy support system’ and help make the breast cancer journey less confusing and solitary,” says Pam Crum, program coordinator at Inova, “We try to match patients with mentors who had a similar diagnosis and experiences making the support personalized.”

Inova has mentors ready to meet with newly diagnosed patients – regardless if they receive treatment at Inova. SOS is part of Inova Life with Cancer, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer by providing education, information and support.

To learn more about the program, please contact Pamela Crum, Coordinator, Survivors Offering Support at 703.698.2532 or pamela.crum@inova.org

Media contact: Allison Kenty, 703-504-3840

Inova is a not-for-profit health care system located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, serving over two million people with over 1,700 licensed beds across based in Northern Virginia.  Inova consists of five hospitals including the area’s only Level 1 Trauma Center for critical patients and Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care unit.  Inova encompasses many health services including the nationally and internationally recognized Inova Heart and Vascular Institute (IHVI), Inova Translational Medicine Institute (ITMI) on genomics, Inova Neuroscience Institute and Inova Children’s Hospital.  Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research.  More information and statistics about Inova is at www.inova.org.

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