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Community Corner

Friends for Life Foundation Opens New Doors at Suffolk Y

Their new room in the Suffolk Y will allow the group access to the facilities, host more events and provide additional support in the community.

Friends, families, and cancer survivors gathered together on the second floor of the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center Monday night to officially open room 54B, the new home of the Friends for Life Foundation (FFLF), an alternative support group for breast cancer survivors.

The foundation defines itself as a social setting where speakers, survivors, caregivers and volunteers learn, share, and offer their emotional support. It aims to create a community of survivors, instead of providing random support groups, though there is no attendance policy to maintain membership.

"We wanted to create an atmosphere that was positive and helpful to start the healing process," Hillary Sweet, a founder of the group and the foundation's spokeswoman, said

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According to Sweet, the group encourages members to use online message boards to become comfortable before "jumping in."

"It really even becomes a social thing," Sweet said. "People get involved and come back and volunteer, and everyone's always helping out.  It's really great."

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Monday's event marked substantial growth in the group, which has an expanded email list of over 400 members and continues to grow.  "I remember when we were just meeting in our Weeping Cherry Lane home," Sweet said.

The Y has always played an important role for the Sweet and Daniels families; both had children who attended classes there.  "This place was special to Barbara.  She loved two things, one was her family and the other was the Y," said Daniels.

The move will hopefully also allow them to add new exercise programs, and expand current ones, representatives said. 

Programs tend to remain small, limited to about 15-20 attendees, as to encourage an intimate and private atmosphere.  "We want everyone to be comfortable," said Sweet.

Kids for Life has more recently emerged from the group to provide support for children 12 and over affected by breast cancer in their families and the community.  In addition, students who volunteer with the foundation can receive school credit necessary for graduation.

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