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It was with a little luck and dedication that the Healing Hands Foundation got off the ground. It started when two BWH physicians, Susan Bennett, MD and Soheyla Gharib, MD, were brought together by their piano instructor. During their lessons, Bennett and Gharib learned that they also shared a strong connection with breast cancer – both as physicians and sisters and mothers they discovered that they were each deeply affected by this disease. And, collaborating closely together to orchestrate a piano concert for their beloved teacher, Tatiana Yampolsky, another partnership was conceived: they decided to put their passion for breast cancer to work in the form of a foundation.
As the concert planning unfolded under Bennett’s and Gharib’s direction, Bennett set other plans in motion. She arranged for the meeting of two patients who had a passion for helping those in need.
From an informal introduction by their physician, these two patients quickly created a network of individuals, some friends and others strangers, who shared a single goal - giving support to women with breast cancer.
In May 2000, the group, which had quickly grown to seven, first met in the Longwood Medical Area to formally discuss the formation of a foundation. A year later, the Healing Hands Foundation was established. The foundation was dedicated to assisting women with breast cancer who were struggling to cope with their illness and also care for themselves and their families.
“Our foundation’s mission was based on a simple premise,” said Bennett. “We believe that all women have an equal right to survive breast cancer.”
After defining their cause, the next step was to reach out to the community. This step brought them to BWH’s doorstep.
In September 2001, the Healing Hands Foundation, now a successful fundraising organization, developed a partnership with BWH’s Office for Women, Family and Community Programs under the leadership of Bennett and BWH colleague JudyAnn Bigby, MD.
A generous donation was made to BWH to assist patients with breast cancer who had insufficient income and insurance to cover necessary services and treatments related to their diagnosis.
“This program is unique because it has a tremendous Healing Hands amount of flexibility in the way funds are allocated,” said Aswita Tan-McGrory, Women’s Health Program Coordinator, Office for Women, Family and Community Programs. “Women who meet the funding requirements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and can use funds to help with a variety of needs, ranging from prescriptions, breast prostheses and bras to transportation, childcare and counseling. Eligible women may receive up to $1,200 per year to use on these needs and other related expenses,” Tan-McGrory described.
BWH is actively reaching out to patients who meet the Healing Hands Foundation requirements. To be eligible, women must have an individual annual income of $25,000 or less or a total family annual income of $42,000 or less. To apply, patients or their advocates may request a Healing Hands Resource request form, available through the Office for Women, Family and Community Programs by calling 617-732-5759. For more information about the Healing Hands Foundation, call 617-277-4170.