Many cancer patients can tell you the exact moment in time when they heard the dreaded three words, “You Have Cancer.” It is a cause for shock and alarm, and many wonder how they will recover from it.
The Circle of Hope, a project of a 501c3 listed organization-Maimonides Educational Center/Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Merrick directed by Shluchim Rabbi Shimon and Chanie Kramer, provides hands on assistance to individuals and their families coping with breast cancer and other cancer-related illnesses.
It offers private counseling and other services like a wig bank, cooking for hope meal services, and financial resources that are free and confidential to cancer patients. On December 15, 2020 at 7 pm, the Circle of Hope will hold the grand opening of ‘Dress for Recovery’ clothing bank, yet another addition to the Circle of Hope.
In May 2019, Loraine Alderman’s life was changed forever with a sudden diagnosis of 2 cancers of the breast. Throughout her recovery from her double mastectomy and chemotherapy treatments, she was very fortunate to have been given wonderful advice and support.
During treatments, Loraine and her husband had time to think, talk and reflect. They decided, during that time, that they would like to “pay it forward” and help other people in similar situations. When a person has breast surgery, they are not allowed to lift their arms above the waist and have surgical drains attached to their body. It is highly recommended to wear special clothing that opens in the front and has pockets for the drains and zippers for easy access during treatments.
The new ‘Dress for Recovery’ clothing bank will specialize in the apparel needed to assist with recovery related to Breast Cancer and other cancers. Special shirts with front snap/button access and large, easy access pockets are needed for the surgical drains after a cancer operation. Special shirts with zippers from neck to armpit are needed for easy port access for chemotherapy, hydration, and related IV treatments.
While there are several wig banks available throughout Nassau County (including the Circle of Hope) and New York which offer free wigs to people going through treatment for cancer, there are no clothing banks where a person can borrow clothing appropriate for after breast surgery or for intravenous treatments. All this specialized apparel is expensive and cannot be found in ANY retail store in the Tri-state area. Patients cannot try on for size and comfort the apparel they will desperately want and need. The Circle of Hope’s ‘Dress for Recovery’ clothing bank’s mission is to carry this special apparel in assorted sizes, in a location where it can be seen and felt. We will lend, not charge, cancer patients in need of these items to assist with recovery. All free of charge. Our clothing bank will accept back this special apparel after a person is recovered and no longer needs it and have it professionally cleaned at no charge to the person, so that it may be lent out, yet again and again. Looking ahead, a further goal is for clothing banks to become available throughout the world the way that wig banks have become available.
According to Newsday, “Nassau County ranks seventh in the state and Suffolk is 17th for the incidence of breast cancer, according to age-adjusted rates from the state Health Department for 2011-2015, the latest years available.”
The Circle of Hope brings optimism, courage, advice and assistance to those in need, allowing them to persevere through the challenges they face while coping cancer.
A circle is a universal symbol with extensive meaning. It represents the notions of totality, wholeness, one’s self and timelessness. The Circle of Hope exists because of the need and also because of the kind, altruistic and generous donations that we have received so far. But there is more to do and therefore more financial assistance needed.
If you to wish to help in this wonderful endeavor, 100% of your donation will be going to the first clothing bank for people going through breast cancer surgery and will be tax-deductible. Checks should be made out to: Maimonides Educational Center. Please put “clothing bank” in the memo box. The address is Circle of Hope, 2174 Hewlett Avenue, suite 100, Merrick, N.Y. 11566.
Donations can also be made online at circleofhopemerrick.org/donate. If you know of a cancer patient that could use our help and services, please recommend the Circle of Hope (circleofhopemerrick.org) and ‘Dress for Recovery’ clothing bank (circleofhopemerrick.org/dress) to them.
these shluchim never stop.