Sisterhood of Survivors (SOS) began with two women meeting while being treated for breast cancer in the spring of 2002. They promised one another that when their treatment was over they would get together for lunch. By the time they were able to meet for lunch the group had grown to six and continues to grow and change monthly. Monthly luncheons continue to this day. 

Towards the end of 2005 many in the group wanted to form an Outreach Program in addition to the monthly luncheon meetings. They wanted to do something to reach out to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and created the “Tote” Program. Janet Ames, one of original two women, researched and found the Fresno Regional Foundation who offered to allow us to operate under their “umbrella” as of January 1, 2006. We were then able to accept tax deductable donations in order to fund the “Tote” Program and work towards our outreach efforts. 

It was then our original written Mission Statement was formed: The Sisterhood of Survivors is committed to improving the quality of life of recently diagnosed breast cancer patients 

Since then the Mission Statement has evolved to: We are committed to assisting newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and survivors. And offers encouragement, support, monthly luncheons, volunteer opportunities, friendship, a resource library, and a quarterly newsletter filled with inspiration, resources, and event information. SOS delivers educational “totes” to the recently diagnosed, enabling survivors the opportunity to reach out to others just beginning their treatment. Each “tote” is delivered by a survivor, giving the new patient an opportunity to talk to another who has made the journey herself. Contents are donated by members of SOS, the community, and professionals. SOS totes are delivered at no cost. 

As soon as tax deductable donations could be received, and members began donating items they found useful during their treatment, we began the “tote” program. SOS also began seeking other donation opportunities to help fund the program. Donations were also received from the community and area professionals. The first 25 totes were assembled in May of 2006. The totes are now handmade by a breast cancer survivor, and we continue to seek donations as we prepare them quarterly. To date, 230 have been delivered to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. 

In October of 2006 the first official SOS newsletter was printed. Prior to that, a note was mailed each month to members reminding them of the upcoming monthly luncheon. Diana Dhyvetter, a SOS member, offered her time and talents to publish a great newsletter filled with upcoming events, articles of interest, breast cancer resources, volunteer opportunities and more. Diana continues to serve and currently the newsletter is distributed to over 750 survivors, supporters and professionals and continues to grow monthly.