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.

Save Ourselves Breast Cancer Organization would like to expand its services to serve more breast cancer patients in the greater Sacramento region and beyond. We need to expand our Board of Directors. One concept that we'd like to see come to fruition is a way for breast cancer patients, particularly those with metastatic breast cancer on Hospice, to attend our support groups electronically (telehealth) on those days they are too ill to attend.

Our website needs sprucing up. We'd like to have an engaging website with professional web back-up, so that changes can be made promptly.

We need tri-fold brochures for medical offices. We need people who can distribute these on a regular basis.
Our top needs:

1. Board Members - We need dynamic board members who are committed to bettering the lives of those with breast cancer.
2. Funding: Program - We need funds to continue offering psychosocial support to the breast cancer community.
3. Technology - we need a new interactive website/and timely web support
4. Technology - We need the equipment so that those who are too sick to attend could attend our groups electronically, perhaps with tablets
5. Volunteers - We need volunteers for a variety of things, including chairing our annual walks (April 22nd)

The president and program director of Save Ourselves, Cass Brown Capel, Ph.D. helped launch SOS in January 1991 after she had breast cancer when she was 32 years old. Over the years she has served as president, vice-president, secretary, legislative liaison, fundraising chair, breast cancer helpline trainer and consulting psychologist. She is a health psychologist (specializing in cancer patients) and facilitates 84 breast cancer support groups annually.
The treasurer of Save Ourselves, Terrie Marable Makin has over 40 years in working for a nonprofit that serves the disabled and has as degree in accounting for nonprofit organizations. She has grant-writing, IT and fundraising experience. She joined our Board of Directors in 2012.
The secretary of Save Ourselves, Bonnie Stephens, O.T., is a retired occupational therapist. She joined the Save Ourselves Board of Directors in 2012. She currently co-hosts our monthly educational forums at Nordstrom, Arden Fair Mall.