One of the greatest challenges breast cancer survivors face in Romania is the lack of reliable information about breast cancer and breast cancer treatment, and a lack of support when going through this experience. Global Initiative Community Grant projects are working hard to change this. Three separate projects in Constanta, Bucharest, and Brasov have collaborated to train knowledgeable support group facilitators, create a guide to walk survivors through their treatment, and build a sustainable network of support for breast cancer survivors in Romania.

Community Grant Projects:

“Together for a Better Life”, Partners in Progress, Constanta

• This group collaborated with experts to develop a support group guide for facilitators, survivors, and their families
• In 6 months, Partners in Progress Association trained 25 new facilitators to expand their services from one support group in one location to 3 new communities and 83 survivors
• Read more about Project Leader Luminita Lupascu

“Together—Support Groups for Breast Cancer Survivors”, Partnership for Equality Center, Bucharest

• This project included initial collaboration with “Together for a Better Life” to pioneer support group services for breast cancer survivors in Constanta and Bucharest
• Throughout the grant period, 400 people were involved directly in refining the scope and objectives of the project to ensure its relevancy to the community

“HOPE” – Support Groups, Alternative Step NGO, Brasov

• The HOPE project trained 18 support group facilitators and engaged 20 survivors in support groups
• Two support groups continue to meet on a regular basis, serving the women of Brasov