ABCD, Inc. Jobs in and around Milwaukee, WI

Company:
ABCD, Inc.
Current Opportunities (0)
Company Website
Location(s):
759 N. Milwaukee Suite 205
Milwaukee,  WI
53202
Map Location
Industry:
Non-Profit
Size:
6-10

Company Overview

ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis is a not for profit, tax exempt 501 (c) 3 organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was begun in 1999 by a group of women who saw a need for a formalized one-to-one mentoring process to provide information and support to women and men diagnosed with breast cancer and their families and friends.

Most of its founders had learned of that need firsthand, through their own breast cancer experiences, and had found that the most valuable information and support came from others in similar life circumstances with similar experiences with the disease. The network that helped them make that connection was not well established, however, and does not exist at all for many people who are touched by breast cancer.

ABCD trains volunteers to be mentors and then matches them up with people diagnosed with cancer and their families and loved ones. Matches are made on the basis of demographic and clinical data supplied by mentors and participants. A mentor keeps in touch with the participant by phone on a regular basis throughout the treatment process, providing information on local and national resources, and, perhaps more important, the support of someone who's "been there."

ABCD is developing an outreach mentor program, which will target women who are less likely to have the network of information and support available to them.

Neither ABCD mentors nor staff gives medical or legal advice or recommends treatment. However, mentors do encourage women to learn about their rights and the options they have in dealing with the disease.

ABCD works with all area hospitals and medical providers and has a Medical and Community Advisory Board, made up of experts who act as resources for ABCD volunteers and help in the training of mentors. ABCD also maintains a "Breast Cancer Helpline" and a resource library. ABCD has one staff person who takes calls on the helpline, coordinates volunteer training and maintains the database and website; everyone else connected with the organization is a volunteer.