The Gillette Company Introduces First Program Addressing Emotional Needs of Women and Their Families Facing Women's Cancers
New Survey Shows Emotional Needs of Women -- Especially Their Families -- Are Often Neglected
NEW YORK, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gillette Company today introduced a new initiative, the Gillette Women's Cancer Connection, to address the profound emotional and social issues brought on by breast or gynecological cancer. A first-of-its kind program, the Gillette Women's Cancer Connection, provides women, their families and friends with vital connections to people and resources needed to ease the journey through the treatment of women's cancers. The Company also today released findings from a new national survey, conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide, which confirms that women are more concerned about the impact of their illness on the family than their own mortality.
According to the nationwide survey, when faced with their wife or mother's cancer diagnosis, both partners and adult children expressed feeling sad, scared and helpless. Yet, an overwhelming majority of women are not getting information about emotional support services to help their families address these feelings. In addition, many are not even getting information about emotional support services for themselves.
Many experts believe emotional wellness is a critical component that contributes to survivorship. Dr. Ross Berkowitz, Co-Director at The Gillette Centers for Women's Cancers and Director of Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, says there is increasing evidence that indicates a strong link between emotional wellness and physical wellness.
''Addressing the emotional and social needs of women with breast or gynecological cancer is a movement that is going to one day be part of a comprehensive program for all people with cancer,'' said Dr. Berkowitz. ''When families make connections with others who have lived with or are currently living through cancer and achieve emotional wellness, they are better able to focus on treatment and recovery,'' he added.
To provide women and their families with connections to emotional support resources, the Gillette Women's Cancer Connection has developed a variety of grassroots and national programming elements. Core elements include:
-- Gillette Women's Cancer Connection Web site - A comprehensive site
(www.gillettecancerconnect.org) that provides critical tools, resources
and information including: local support group listings, a highly
interactive online support community, as well as articles, advice and
tips specifically designed for women, partners, children, parents,
siblings, friends and co-workers.
-- "Connecting to Wellness" Seminars - Led by Ronnie Kaye, a best-selling
author and two-time breast-cancer survivor, the seminars provide women
with breast or gynecological cancer compassionate guidance and
information to many of the emotional and social issues they face during
the cancer experience. Seven seminars will take place across the
country this year.
-- Toll-Free Information Line (800) 688-9777 -- The line is another way
for people to receive Gillette Women's Cancer Connection materials,
including local support group listings, brochures and "Connecting to
Wellness" seminar information.
-- Kids Konnected - Through a special partnership grant, the Gillette
Women's Cancer Connection helps Kids Konnected, a national nonprofit
organization with chapters across the country, meet its mission of
offering friendship, understanding, education and support for kids who
have a parent with cancer.
-- Gillette Women's Cancer Connection Educational Brochure Series - The
brochures -- "A Road Map to Emotional Wellness" and "When Someone You
Love Has Cancer: A Guide For Families" -- address the emotional and
social issues women and their families face with a cancer diagnosis
including: how to cope with changes in their everyday lives, as well as
their feelings of confusion, fear and helplessness.
The Gillette Women's Cancer Connection program is funded by The Gillette Company as an expression of their commitment to address women's issues. In 1996, a $5 million gift to Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare resulted in the Gillette Centers for Women's Cancers. Two centers, located in Boston, are the first-of-their kind to address all of the physical, social and emotional needs of women with breast or gynecological cancers.
''Through our involvement with The Gillette Centers, we recognized that there was something incredibly powerful about providing emotional and social support in conjunction with medical care,'' said Joan M. Gallagher, Vice President, Corporate Public Relations, The Gillette Company and a member of the Gillette Women's Cancer Connection Advisory Board. ''Our goal was to take the issue of emotional wellness beyond the four walls of The Gillette Centers for Women's Cancers and create a comprehensive program designed to offer support, resources and connections to thousands of people across the country.''
Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, The Gillette Company (www.gillette.com) is the world leader in male grooming products, including, blades, razors and shaving preparations. Gillette also holds the number one position worldwide in selected female grooming products, such as wet shaving products and hair epilation devices. The Company is the world's top seller of writing instruments and correction products; toothbrushes and oral care appliances. In addition, The Gillette Company is the world leader in alkaline batteries.
Note to Reporters: All Gillette Women's Cancer Connection Materials are available at www.gillettenews.com/women. |
