Growing up in the ’50’s, you weren’t supposed to talk about the “C” word.  At Seattle’s Madrona Elementary School, we didn’t have a counselor on-site (or even part-time) to help us deal with our feelings.  I was part of a group of naive 9-year old little girls, who didn’t know what to make of the mysterious death of our friend Maddie’s (not her real name) mother. We had been growing up believing in such childhood chants as “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back”.  Not knowing any better, my group of girlfriends, who always played together at recess, did something awful.  Out of fear that if we continued to play with Maddie, our mothers might also die from cancer, we excluded her.  All these years it haunted me. I knew I had to meet up with Maddie and ask her forgiveness.  Sadly, it took years and years of Yom Kippurs until I mustered up the courage to make amends.

This is the backstory to my response the other day when someone, who’s just getting involved in Hadassah, commented:   “You’re really into Hadassah, aren’t you?”.  Unequivocally, I realized at that moment that Hadassah, more than any other organization, has given me the strength I needed to feel empowered as a woman. I needed to arm myself  with factual information to be the best version of myself.  Looking back to our last event before the pandemic, I purposely wanted it entitled  “Breast Cancer Awareness for All of Us.” By having programs like “Breast Cancer Awareness”, we can hopefully empower ourselves and our children  with up to date knowledge about this and other diseases. 

Like you, I am so proud to be part of the solution:  The Hadassah Medical Organization is at the forefront of breast cancer research, responsible for several major advances in the global medical community's understanding of the disease, pioneering new treatments and helping survivors live longer and stronger: https://www.hadassah.org/story/saving-more-breast-cancer-patients-with-new-perspectives-and-paradigms.

Going into the New Year, you can count on the Seattle Chapter continuing to have engaging up-to-date programs on cancer along with other vital issues. 

Shanah Tovah to you and your family. May it be a year filled with good health and happiness, and my favorite C-word:  compassion, aka rachamim.

REGISTER HERE

Hadassah Endorses Congressional Resolution to Memorialize 1972 Munich Massacre of Israeli Olympic Team Members and German Police Officer

Are You Ready to Vote in November?

Civic engagement is central to Hadassah’s commitment to effect change, from promoting voting and an informed citizenry to corresponding and meeting directly with elected officials.

2022 is a critical election year. Remember: your vote counts and has the power to make a difference! This November, read more...

News You Can Use
Stories of interest from inside Hadassah and around the world

Hadassah President Convenes "Women Talking Medicine"
Sneeze, Itch, Cough: How Allergies Interrupt Our Lives 
Hadassah Gynecological Oncologist Reminds Women to Pay Attention to Their Bodies
Hadassah Pulmonologist Shares Multiple Interests With HMO Chair

• Andree Brooks

We Mourn the Passing of

• Dr. Jack Reiter, father of Ilyse (Greg) Wagner, Jodi (Vince) Ready and Scott Reiter (Rachel Weintraub) and grandfather of eight.
• Bob Center, husband of Pamela Center, father of Judi Marshall, Mike Center and Ruth Davis.
• Lillian Levy, mother of Michael (Cheri) Levy, Steven (Karen) Levy, Gaye (Sheldon) Ayon, grandmother of five and great-grandmother of ten.