Save Ourselves Breast Cancer Organization

Save Ourselves (SOS) was founded in 1991 by a group a breast cancer patients who realized that the breast cancer community was under served. As a local grassroots organization, we worked hard to bring attention to the dearth of services to those with breast cancer. From 1991-1995, SOS hosted annual breast cancer rallies at the State Capitol to raise awareness about breast cancer and to focus on legislation that would help those with breast cancer. SOS was the driving force behind the passage of the Breast Cancer Act of 1993, which created the Every Woman Counts program so that uninsured women could receive free mammograms with a referral from a physician.

In 1991, we began hosting monthly educational forums. In 1992, we trained our first group of breast cancer hotline volunteers. In 1993, we started the first of many support groups. We currently provide the following groups: early stage breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer (MBC), young women's (<40), lesbian, facing cancer with faith and a special 12-session survivorship group: Thriving beyond Surviving for those who are two or more years post treatment. In 2009, we launched our lingerie closet that is housed at UCD's Comprehensive Cancer Center. Here, breast cancer patients can help themselves to new mastectomy bras, wigs, turbans, hats, books, and more.

We also partner with UCD on various breast cancer related research projects. SOS is committed to reaching out to the under served through providing information at community health fairs and speaking to student from junior high through college-aged.