In the history of BCS, we have disbursed over $3M to help over 1,350 individuals going though breast cancer treatment. We would like to share the impact we have made on some of our clients with you.


Spotlight
Each month, BCS will highlight a person who has impacted our organization, such as former clients, volunteers, sponsors Board members and staff members. This month, we would like to introduce you to Judy Wilcox, Client Service Volunteer.


In 1996, Judy Wilcox’s life changed – she diagnosed with breast cancer. After meeting with her medical team, she embarked on the journey nobody wants to take: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Ten years later, after retiring from a 34-year career as a middle school history teacher, Judy was searching for an opportunity to support other patients going through breast cancer treatment, and found BCS.


Judy’s involvement with BCS began in 2006 when she accompanied one of our Client Support Volunteers on an applicant interview. She immediately jumped into the CSV role which she has grown to enjoy tremendously – she likes being on the front line of providing support and mentoring to breast cancer patients, and sees her role as an opportunity to give back as a breast cancer survivor. Judy says her favorite part about being a CSV is “calling a client to tell her she’s been approved for support. It’s so uplifting! I can hardly wait when I call them.” She also feels that her work with BCS keeps her updated on the latest in breast cancer treatment. But most importantly, “You become the clients’ friends.”


Part of the appeal of volunteering with BCS is the ability to pick your own hours. “I can make my calls from home – it’s very flexible. You can be as involved as much or as little as you’d like.” CSV’s make their own schedules, and although Judy tends to take on quite a few client cases (as many as 8-10 at a time!), the workload is up to the individual volunteer. 


Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Consider becoming a Client Support volunteer - email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information. As Judy says, “It’s very gratifying – you get back more than you give.”


Testimonials
Listed below are additional excerpts from unsolicited letters from some of the people we helped.

• “Life has been good lately, because of all you’ve done. Eternally grateful.” S.D., Garden Grove


• “I really appreciated the support from Laura and Jeannette. The financial support was great - it eliminated the stress and pressure that I was under without any income. Though it was the holiday season I was much more in the spirit with my financial dilemmas in check. I am very grateful for all BCS has done for me…” G.K.


• “Thank you so much for your assistance during this period in my life that is filled with stress and challenges.” M.M.


• “Thanks for taking the time to listen to help, to let me know you care. You really made a difference to me. I am lost for words. Please know that your assistance has given me new hope and the first peace of mind I have enjoyed for the last 6 months. God bless you all.” G.G., Laguna Niguel


• “This letter is in response to a special person you sent me so I can be assisted with food. She has been an inspiration and has helped me and the girls a lot….Thanks again for your financial support, your emotional support, and wonderful people you have working for your organization.” D.Z., Pomona


• “I deeply appreciate BCS’ kind and respectful assistance. I’m undergoing many challenges in my life right now, chemo, an unfavorable diagnosis for cure for cancer, a divorce, financial challenges, and raising my 2 little girls on my own, with no one, no family, to help me. The support and financial assistance they offered, giving me money to move to a new apartment I can afford made a huge difference for me. I didn’t feel quite so alone, and knowing these people had dealt with the same health challenge was also very helpful. Despite the stresses I faced, even though my search for affordable housing was a tremendous task, I knew that at least I had the backup of the move-in fee covered, something I could count on….This is an exceptional organization of exceptional people forging new territory in a sorely needed area of assistance.” A.E.


• ”...found and made arrangements for me to move (with my dog) into a small home…Without the help from Breast Cancer Solutions I don’t know what I would have done.” M.B.