Here for the Girls Celebrates 15 Years!

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - March 18, 2022 - PRLog -- Here for the Girls, a small non-profit serving the greater Hampton Roads and Richmond communities, is celebrating 15 years of improving the lives of young women affected by breast cancer.

Here for the Girls (H4TG) began with two young breast cancer survivors, René Bowditch and Mary Beth Gibson, who were focused on solving the lack of resources, support, and education available for women under the age of 51 facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Together, René and Mary Beth worked to end the myth that breast cancer is just an older woman's disease, illuminating that young woman, too, hear the words "you have cancer."

Since 2007, the organization has offered in-person, peer-based support for young breast cancer survivors. In 2015, the organization expanded to offer virtual support through Pink Link. Now in its 15th year as a nonprofit under the leadership of Executive Director Chris Schwab, H4TG has become a leader in offering social-emotional support through its unique approach of lovingly supporting its members from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

"Our members are figuring out what this new chapter in their lives looks like and how they're going to write it," said Schwab. "That's what Here for the Girls brings to the table - sisters who know what they're going through and know what challenges – and opportunities – lie before them."

Over the past 15 years, H4TG's member services have grown significantly. The organization's trained, in-house team delivers services especially designed for the understanding and support of medical trauma and utilizes key partnerships with the local health systems.

"As we faced the pandemic, breast cancer did not stop and neither did we," continued Schwab. "Here for the Girls now offers more accessible program services than ever before."

H4TG's most recent service offering blends a peer-based facilitation model with a social work support team to identify, evaluate, and address the complex needs of members through an inclusive, empowering, and holistic approach. The organization focuses on meeting members where they are on their breast cancer journey and tailoring services to meet their needs.

For more information on H4TG and their member services please visit hereforthegirls.org.
Here for the Girls, Inc. (H4TG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit improving the lives of young women affected by breast cancer (diagnosed under age 51). We offer social-emotional support through services that provide personal connections and a shared experience among our members. For more information, visit us at  http://www.hereforthegirls.org