YSC's Holiday Boutique is Open for Buisiness!

We are pleased to announce the partnerships YSC (Young Survival Coalition) has formed with numerous retailers for your gift giving fun! The support and generosity of our corporate partners will help raise vital awareness about young women and breast cancer as well as the much needed funding to ensure that young women affected by the disease can access the resources, programs and peer support they need.
We are grateful to our retail partners for sharing the same passion and dedication to our mission that the YSC Board, staff and thousands of volunteers do, and we hope you will show your support by doing your holiday shopping early!!

Some of the fabulous partners and products include Oakley YSC Breast Cancer Awareness Edition Oakley Dangerous ™ and Oakley Commit™ women's sunglasses, Kate Aspen's Pink Ribbon Collection, and HipFusion "Support the Cause" jewelry collection.

See the entire partnership boutique and links by clicking here and support the YSC!!

YSC Affiliates are Offering Travel Grants to National Conference!

Apply Today! <--click on this link to go to application!!

Your local YSC Affiliate will once again offer travel grants to the 10th Annual Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a one-of-a-kind educational conference, solely dedicated to the unique needs of young women and breast cancer. Travel grants will cover transportation, 50% of room costs for two nights and conference registration. Applicants will be selected based on specific criteria set by the affiliates and the conference planners. All applications must be completed by January 22, 2010. You will receive a notification by email within two weeks of the application deadline.

Become a Fan! Win a Vespa!

Vespa USA has partnered with Lifetime Networks in celebration of Lifetime's 15th annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, Stop Breast Cancer for Life: The Power of 15. And, you're invited to join the fight.Young Survival Coalition is pleased to be the recipient of a limited-edition pink LX 50, which is being offered as the grand prize in our "Win a Vespa" sweepstakes. No purchase is necessary to win, but you must be Facebook Fan of Young Survival Coalition to win, so become a fan today. See Official Sweepstakes Rules for eligibility and complete details.

Product Details
70 miles per gallon

Automatic, just twist and go

Robust steel chassis for ultimate safety

Fine Italian styling of the original scooter

Freedom from traffic congestion

Save fuel!

Reduce your carbon footprint!

A Vespa goes forever!

Large comfortable seat made for two!

Great storage under the seat for your helmet!

Share your BLISS!!

One of our favorite corporate partners, HERSHEY’S®, is holding a blissfully fun contest!

Just submit an essay on "Why you want to experience ‘bliss’ by sharing the 16 ct. HERSHEY’S BLISS® diamond necklace" and you could be one of the 5 lucky winners who will get to wear this gorgeous necklace for 2 weeks!

Here's the buzz:

First Prize: posession of a 16 ct. diamond necklace for 2 weeks!!, a paperback copy of The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis, two 9.6 ounce bags and two 1.3 ounce bars of HERSHEY’S BLISS Candy.
And here, in our humble opinion, is the best part!:
Winners will also be given the opportunity to travel to New York to attend the Young Survival Coalition’s In Living Pink event scheduled in 2010.

At the end of each Winner’s respective 14-day period, Winner must return the Necklace to the Sponsor, and the Necklace will then be sent to the Winner selected for the next Individual Contest Entry Period until all five Winners have received the opportunity to wear the Necklace.

ENTER to WIN — RULES
Contest open only to legal U.S. residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry.
Limit one online entry per name per e-mail address per day.
This Share the Bliss Contest ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on 12/4/09.

Hershey's Pledge for Breast Cancer and the YSC!!

For the fifth year, Hershey's will turn pink in October to help raise awareness and honor survivors affiliated with the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). On the newly launched promotional page for the Pledge campaign, Hershey's will be profiling 5 very special YSC ladies!! "Beginning September 1, 2009. . . Alane Davis, Lisa J. Frank, Amy Johnson, Laurah Turner Jones and Maureen Parrish, will share their courageous, inspirational stories of breast cancer survival and training for the HERSHEY'S Tour de Pink through their personal video testimonials, photos and blogs. We encourage you to follow along, lend support and encouragement to the women as they document their training for the HERSHEY'S Tour de Pink." Get it all here!

First Annual Congressional Women's Softball Game to Benefit YSC!!

Women lawmakers will participate in the first Congressional Women's Softball Game, a bi-partisan and bi-cameral event, to be held on Tuesday, July 14 at Guy Mason Field.

The first pitch will be thrown at 7:35 pm. Proceeds from the game will help the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) continue its fight to educate and support young women living with breast cancer.
Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and Capitol, including Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), will be competing against Democratic and Republican political committee staff from the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Republican National Committee (RNC), Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

"I can't tell you how appreciative we are that the women of both the House and Senate recognize the importance of education and support for young women with breast cancer," said Marcia Stein, chief executive officer, YSC. "More than 28,000 women under the age of 45 will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Initiatives like the congressional women's softball game will enable YSC to continue to touch thousands of lives and be there for women who need us."

Organizer of the event, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at the age of 41. Wasserman Shultz recently introduced the EARLY (Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young) Act to Congress, legislation which seeks nine million dollars annually from 2010 to 2014 to educate the public, particularly young women and their doctors, about the need for a much earlier approach to breast cancer detection. The legislation would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to begin educational campaigns in high schools and universities. It has a particular focus on ethnic minorities such as young African American and Jewish women, who are at higher genetic risk.

The free event is open to the public and Congressional Federal Credit Union is a sponsor. Donations and sponsorships are encouraged. The following members of Congress will participate in the softball game:

MEMBERS: Rep. Shelly Berkley; Rep Shelley Moore Capito; Rep. Kathy Castor; Sen. Susan Collins (Captain); Rep. Susan Davis; Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper; Rep. Donna Edwards; Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (Captain); Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (Captain); Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick; Rep. Betsy Markey; Rep. Betty McCollum; Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers; Rep. Grace Napolitano; Rep. Laura Richardson; Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; Rep. Jean Schmidt; Rep. Betty Sutton; Rep. Nydia Velazquez; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Captain).

DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN COMMITTEES: Sarah Bard, DNC; Sindy Benavides, DNC; Johanna Berkson, DCCC; Erika Brees, DNC; Natalie Buchanan, NRCC (Co-Captain); Sabrina Caprioli, DNC; Emily Charlap, DCCC; Brynne Craig, DNC; Jennifer Crider, DCCC; Grace Cushing, RNC; Lauren Dikis, DCCC; Tiffany Dinneen, NRSC; Katie Dvorak, DNC (Co-Captain); Jessica Furst, NRCC; Gaye Galvin, RNC (Co-Captain); Maya Goines, DNC; Amy Grangeia, RNC; Krista Haagenstad, DCCC; Ann Marie Habershaw, DNC; Suzanne Healy, RNC; Allison Jaslow, DNC; Lyndsey Johnson, NRCC; Amie Kershner, DCCC; Missy Kurek, DCCC; Nicole Landset, DCCC; Diana Leo, RNC; Christie Lombardi, DCCC; Paola Luisi, DNC; Amber Lyons, RNC; Tori Maguire, RNC; Kitty Marcucci, DCCC; Rebecca Mark, NRCC; Cara Mason, NRSC; Katie Nee, DCCC; Katerie Nelis, DNC; Jen O'Malley Dillon, DNC; Jennifer Pihlaja, DCCC; Kelly Polce, DCCC; Casey Redmon, DCCC; Jessica Santillo, DCCC; Jenny Sheffield, NRCC; Roz Skozen, DNC; Jacquie Vanderslice, RNC; Stephanie Young, DCCC (Co-Captain).

You Are Not Alone Survivor Socials

YSC affiliates are reaching the newly diagnosed and survivors in a very fun and creative way!

Thanks to the brainchild of our Northern New Jersey volunteers, affiliates are offering survivor social activities for women who are not comfortable in a support setting. The You are Not Alone (YANA) socials are designed to bring survivors together centered around an activity that is sponsored by the affiliate. Refreshments are served, sometimes even dinner, and the participants are given a 10-minute overview of YSC along with resource materials.

Some recent activities have been, pottery and jewelry making, dinner, bowling or just meeting for drinks or coffee. Our affiliate volunteers take the lead on this program and have been very creative. Locations and activities are moved around the service area to enable more people to participate. The cost is usually free or minimal to the participants. For a YANA event near you check, out our Events Page for dates and locations.

For more information on the 24 YSC Affiliates, please visit our Affiliates page.

YSC Honors It's Volunteers!!

The theme for National Volunteer Week 2009, April 19-25, is

"Celebrating People in Action"

This phrase couldn't describe YSC's volunteers any better! From volunteers who provide peer to peer support for YSC's Point of Contact Program to the volunteers that come into the YSC offices around the country to stuff envelopes, YSC is making a difference for young women with breast cancer.

You can volunteer as an individual and help YSC spread our message in your community in many ways, here are a few:

Adopt a Hospital
Many women find out about YSC from their local hospitals while they are in treatment. The YSC needs your help to ensure that hospitals, cancer centers and doctors' offices in your community know about the YSC and have our brochures on hand for the young women they see - those already diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as healthy young women who need to understand their risk. When you adopt a hospital, you drop off YSC brochures and DVDs quarterly. By interacting with hospital staff you become the face of the YSC-so when a young women is diagnosed, the hospital says to her: "You should call YSC."

Newly Diagnosed Resource Kits
Help your local YSC office put together Newly Diagnosed Resource Kits (NDRKs) for women who have just been diagnosed.

Drink Beyond the Pink
Set up a Pink Lemonade Stand in your neighborhood, school etc. This is a kid-friendly option that can involve the whole community, helping to get the YSC's name and message out there. It is also a great garage sale or summertime event. Throw a Pink Cocktail Party (21+) at your local bar or home to help educate young women about breast health while raising donations for YSC. Host a Pink Tea Party with a few friends at a venue or your home to support the cause. If interested, please contact info@youngsurvival.org with any questions or to request your free starter kit (allow 3-4 weeks for delivery). Happy drinking!

Tickets still available for ILP!!

Join us as we celebrate the YSC's 10th anniversary in style!

In Living Pink will take place at the beautiful Edison Ballroom in New York City on April 23rd, 2009, where we will honor long-time supporter David J. West, President and CEO of The Hershey Company. It will be a fabulous evening of cool cocktails, delicious food and a fantastic silent auction! World renowned DJ Jus Ske will be on the turntables with a special live performance by multiple grammy nominee and world class percussionist Bobby Sanabria and Quarteto Ache.

Purchase your tickets and view sponsorship information online.

YSC Takes Advocacy, Action and Awareness to Capitol Hill

A Message From the CEO:

This past Monday, I joined Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL) in Washington D.C. to announce the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act. Inspired by Rep. Wasserman Schultz's own experience as a young survivor (she was diagnosed at 41) last year, this piece of legislation is the first of its kind focusing on awareness of breast cancer in women under 40. The EARLY Act calls for $9 million a year from 2010 to 2014 to launch a national education campaign for this often overlooked group of women.

We are pleased to see Rep. Wasserman Schultz bringing together policymakers and key stakeholders to begin discussing how we can better serve young women with breast cancer. According to

the Congresswoman's statement, The EARLY Act "seeks to educate young women on the risk factors for breast cancer, why certain populations are more likely to be at risk, and ways that young women can be proactive in lowering their risks. The legislation also seeks to help young women diagnosed with breast cancer deal with the issues unique to their fertility, and the social ramifications young women face."

This bill will enable funding and resources to teach both young women and medical professionals alike about risk factors, warning signs of breast cancer and predictive tools such as genetic testing that can help women make informed decisions about their health. Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz's brave revelation of her own experience has helped put a face to the unique issues and concerns we at Young Survival Coalition (YSC) encounter every day.

The EARLY Act will address these specific issues by:

• A national public awareness and education initiative targeting young women, especially those in at-risk populations;


• Health provider education to ensure health care professionals understand the risks facing young women and the specific concerns of young women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer; and


• Grant funding for support and assistance programs for young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

YSC has been working hand-in-hand with Rep. Wasserman Schultz on the content and wording of this important piece of legislation, which will soon be introduced into Congress with the help of

Rep. Sue Myrick (NC) in the House and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN) in the Senate. We are part of an active group of breast cancer organizations who support this bill and look forward to shaping its development.

As the legislation makes its way through our congressional system, you can be sure YSC will keep you informed on important issues and calls to action. Meanwhile, know that we are working for you-the thousands of young women living with this disease as well as the young women who are yet to be diagnosed.

For more information on the EARLY Act, please see the following or write to us at

info@youngsurvival.org:

Rep. Wasserman Schultz's EARLY Act Press Release
After Cancer, Lawmaker Urges Test, Washington Post, March 24, 2009
Rep. Wasserman Schulz on Good Morning America, March 23, 2009 (Story and video of appearance)
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Reveals Cancer Battle, Miami Herald, March 21, 2009

Sincerely,
Marcia Stein

CEO, Young Survival Coalition

YSC Announces Support for Rep. Wasserman Schultz's 'The Early Act'

Bill Calls for National Educational Campaign to Raise Awareness of Breast Cancer for Young Women Most at Risk
Young Survival Coalition (YSC) and Living Beyond Breast Cancer applaud Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) for introducing legislation that highlights the breast cancer risks facing young women under the age of 40. The "Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009," introduced today, calls for $9 million a year from 2010 to 2014 to launch an education campaign aimed at young women, especially those women most susceptible to breast cancer.
"We are pleased to see Rep. Wasserman Schultz bringing together policymakers and key stakeholders to begin putting ideas on the table to discuss how we can better serve young women with breast cancer," said Marcia Stein, CEO of YSC. "For a young woman, a diagnosis of breast cancer initiates a 40- to 50-year journey of living and coping with the disease."
"The legislation underscores the vital role of health care providers in educating young women about breast cancer," said Jean A. Sachs, MSS, MLSP, CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. "Not only do women need to be empowered to take care of their own health, they also need their health care providers to recognize the possibility of breast cancer in young women and help them follow a prescribed health care plan for the rest of their lives that is tailored to their health history and needs."
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in young women ages 15-54. More than 250,000 women age 40 and under in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lives, and more than 11,000 women will be diagnosed in the next year.
Young women diagnosed with breast cancer struggle with many unique issues, including being more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced cancers, pregnancy concerns, dating and relationship issues, early menopause induced by cancer treatments, slightly higher mortality rates and living decades with this serious diagnosis. Because most psychosocial and medical resources are designed for women over 50, young women diagnosed with breast cancer often feel isolated and alone.
(more information will be forthcoming!!)

Guidebook just for Young Women with Breast Cancer!!

The 2nd edition of YSC ResourceLink Guidebook, published February 2009, is the premiere resource for young women and an incredible resource for all women affected by breast cancer, their family, friends, healthcare professionals and supporters.
This Guidebook is 172 pages filled with valuable resources for women at all stages of diagnosis, treatment, recovery and survivorship. It is the portal to numerous local, statewide and national assistance resources as well as more than 450 breast cancer support groups.
To access the Guidebook online, click on any of the chapter titles below to open a copy of each chapter that can be read with Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, download it here for free

ResourceLink Guidebook Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Welcome & Young Survival Coalition Resources
Chapter 2: General Resources
Chapter 3: Special Populations (African American Women, American Indian/Alaska Native Women, Asian American Women, Jewish Women and Latinas as well as Spanish Language Resources, Women with Disabilities, and Women Who Partner with Women)
Chapter 4: Genetics, Family History & Risk
Chapter 5: Detection / Diagnosis
Chapter 6: Treatment
Chapter 7: Financial, Insurance & Legal Resources
Chapter 8: End of Life
Chapter 9: Family, Friends and Caregivers
Chapter 10: Living with Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer
Chapter 11: Wellness and Moving Forward
Chapter 12: Support Groups

Point of Contact Program provides support

The YSC's Point of Contact Program, one facet of the YSC's ResourceLink peer support network, provides a young woman affected by breast cancer the opportunity to reach out to another young woman to discuss her breast cancer experience and find someone who can relate to her situation and understand her concerns.
The program is not just for the newly diagnosed but for all young women living with breast cancer. For example: a single woman preparing for a mastectomy; a Latina who would like to connect with others about cultural issues; a young, single woman living with metastatic disease; a young mother of two looking for advice on coping with fears of recurrence – anyl of them may call the YSC's ResourceLink Point o Contact program and be connected with someone with whom they can speak.
Any constituent who would like to speak with someone in the program may contact the YSC either by phone at 877.YSC.1011 or email. Once a discussion regarding interests and concerns takes place, the YSC will search the Point of Contact database to find the best possible match and provide the Point of Contact volunteer with information about the constituent. Within 48 hours, the Point of Contact volunteer will contact the constituent for an informal conversation over the phone or via email.
YSC's Point of Contact database currently includes women who represent a range of personal situations and diagnoses, including women who: are partnered with other women; have breastfed after treatment; are living with metastatic disease; are estrogen receptor +/- or HER-2+; have had a double mastectomy, or an oophorectomy; or were diagnosed in their early 20s.
Those interested in becoming Points of Contact are asked to attend a weekend-long training which will help them gain knowledge of the YSC, learn more about breast cancer in young women and network with other program volunteers.
We encourage anyone interested in the program to download the Point of Contact Volunteer Application (Microsoft Word document) or contact us directly at ResourceLink@youngsurvival.org or 877.YSC.1011.

Registration Opens To Survivors for the 2009 Hershey's TdP!!

October 1-5, 2009 ~ Join 175 fellow cyclists for the event of a lifetime!

Hershey's Tour de Pink is a 4-day cycling event comprised of 220 Miles of riding over 3 days and an optional ceremonial finish and celebration in NYC on day 4. You must be in Hershey on Oct. 1st for orientation and registration. Starting on Oct. 2nd, we ride through the beautiful countryside from Hershey to New Jersey on a scenic, rural route that includes two days of rolling hills and 6-8 hours of saddle time every day. Celebrities from the cycling world will be joining us again this year, so watch the website for updates. Each participant will be required to raise a minimum of $2,500. Thanks to a generous contribution from the Hershey Company, 100% of the money raised by participants goes directly to the Young Survival Coalition.

Survivor preregistration is now open. If you are interested in signing up during this preregistration period, please write to tourdepink@youngsurvival.org for sign-up instructions and the necessary password. Registration for the general public will be opening shortly and is expected to sell out quickly, so register today to guarantee your spot!

This is a survivor friendly event and beginners are welcome. Fundraising and training tips are available on the Hershey's Tour de Pink website, Facebook pages and an upcoming training info and mileage tracking website, where TdP alumni lend moral support, encouragement and help in the months leading up to the event.

Vote for the YSC!!

In a new partnership with Brooks For Her (BFH), the YSC will share a donation from Brooks with two other charities. However, in a twist from other partnerships, our supporters have a chance to vote how much of the share the YSC recieves!
For every article of BFH collection clothing sold between now and December 31, 2009, Brooks will donate 6.25% of the suggested retail price to the three charities!
To help YSC get a bigger piece of the pie....vote here, also between now and December 31, 2009!

A new video to share!!

Watch this video about young breast cancer survivors and the YSC and share it with your friends!!!
Pass it on!

YSC Oakley Sunglasses

Oakley Sunglasses has partnered with Young Survival Coalition to develop special YSC breast cancer awareness edition Oakley Ravishing™ and Oakley Enduring™ women's sunglasses. Oakley is supporting the Young Survival Coalition's mission by donating $20 from each sale of the special sunglasses. Ravishing and Enduring are available NOW at participating Oakley retail locations worldwide or at Oakley.com.

Registration still open for Conference for Young Survivors!

It isn't too late to join us in Dallas, Texas, February 27 through March 1 for a weekend dedicated to your needs as a young woman at any stage of diagnosis, treatment or recovery. Register yourself, your friends or your caregivers today.
Make sure you check out youngsurvivorsconference.org for details about the conference including:
Conference agenda
Speakers
Workshops
Special events
Airline discounts and hotel accommodations
Info on Dallas
Register for the conference today.
We look forward to meeting you in person in Dallas!

A note from our CEO

Today is a day that will be go into our history books.
President Obama campaigned on the message of change. What defines America is its ability to regenerate and rise from the ashes like a phoenix. This also defines the women of the YSC. The diagnosis of cancer is a defining moment. For so many of us, it meant radical change-changing careers, changing lifestyle, reinvigorating our spirituality, vowing to change the world-like the three women who started the YSC. But another part of change is helping others. There are so many ways we can help each other at the YSC make the breast cancer experience easier-a post on the Bulletin Board to a YSCer's question, lending an ear and support through YSC's Point of Contact Program, adopting your hospital to ensure they have information about YSC for the women who go there, and, most of all, just being there for each other.
We would like to share a personal story of breast cancer and change with you, that of Jennifer Johnson, a volunteer with the YSC Kansas City and a nine-year survivor. Breast cancer brought many changes to her life that she has shared in the recently updated Jennifer's Survivor Story.
Remember, together we can.
Marcia SteinYSC CEO

Spots Are Still Available for the 2009 Boston Marathon

YSC has teamed with the World Marathon Majors in support of the 2009 Boston Marathon!!

YSC is now one of a handful of charitable organizations a marathon runner can choose to raise money for in return for a space in the marathon. Not only does the runner have a secured spot, but they have a guaranteed rewarding experience and involvement in an organization making a difference in the lives of young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

All participants are required to raise a minimum of $2,500.

For their efforts, the YSC will provide each participant with:
full training plans
training support and tips
a custom-made t-shirt
YSC paraphernalia (socks, key chain)
fundraising support
personal fundraising website on active.com

If you are a runner who wants to run in this year's Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, and need a spot, or if you already have a spot and want to run and raise money for the YSC, contact Jenna Glazer, Associate Director of Development, at 646.257.3019 or by email at jglazer@youngsurvival.org. Spots are also available for the 2009 Chicago and New York City marathons.
We hope that you will consider running on behalf of the YSC. Space is limited, so act now!