Embrace Your Sisters

A local organization wants to help breast cancer patients concentrate on getting well... instead of worrying about their medical bills. We were the first to tell you about "Embrace Your Sisters" last fall.

Embrace Your Sisters raises money to help women and men in the Finger Lakes with breast cancer. Its mission...to provide direct financial assistance to those facing this life-threatening illness. Embrace your sisters came about last year when Chrisann Philipson was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time. Her friends and family wanted to do something to help her and others...so they created this new organization. EYS held a few fundraisers and presented a check to its first recipient last week. The group is now finalizing its first annual fashion show called "Tea at 2" next weekend in Canandaigua. With one in eight people diagnosed with breast cancer...the community support has been overwhelming.

Daisie Nichols is one of the founders of the group. "Usually when you're diagnosed you immediately get four doctors. You see each doctor once a week. That's a hundred dollars a week. Four hundred dollars a month. Basically that's a car payment."

Chrisann Philipson says, "I think my therapy was embrace your sisters instead of a support group. This works for me and it's just taken off so well."

Chrisann just had three surgeries in six months. She is doing well.

Like most cancer patients, she says the bills add up.

"Embrace Your Sisters" is inviting the public to its "TEA AT 2" Fashion Show and Silent Auction... Sunday May 6th

Inn on the Lake in Canandaigua. There are tickets available call 585-394-2150.