Anna’s Program specializes in providing support services to women diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer.  The goal is to lessen the impact that recurrence can have on the lives of women and their families by offering emotional, practical, and spiritual support. 

The issues faced by women with recurrent breast cancer differ markedly from those of women who are newly diagnosed.  While there are many services geared toward initial diagnosis and treatment, very few exist specifically for women whose breast cancer has come back.  Anna’s Program seeks to bridge this gap in services to ensure that the needs of women with recurrences are honored and adequately addressed.

All of the services of Anna’s Program are provided in the home, making it unnecessary for participants to travel or schedule outside appointments for supportive services. 

Anna’s Program receives generous support from The San Francisco Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

• Women diagnosed with local or regional breast cancer recurrence
• Women diagnosed with Stage III/ Stage IV metastatic disease
• Women diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer
• Women who reside in Central or East Contra Costa County

Services are provided for as long as they match needs.  As a participant’s condition changes, she may be discharged from Anna’s Program or referred to higher levels of care.  In any case, there is no charge for Anna’s Program services, which are funded by Anna’s Attic and other community donations.  Services include:

• Case management: Assistance with benefits, resources, referrals, and coordination of services
• Emotional support: Guidance, reassurance, and education are provided by professional social workers to help alleviate the emotional unrest that commonly accompanies a diagnosis of recurrence.
• Spiritual Counseling: Non-denominational counseling is an option for clients and their families.  Spiritual counselors provide the direction needed so that women may find the inner strength, solace, and understanding to deal with their disease.
• Practical Assistance: Help with shopping, laundry, light housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation.  Services allow respite time for family and friends, and provide an alternate source of practical assistance for clients.

No.  Anna’s Program provides no medical or nursing services and does not participate in your medical care.  Physician referral is therefore not required.  However, your physician will be contacted for documentation of your diagnosis.

Women interested in receiving services may self-refer by contacting Anna’s Program directly.  Medical and social service providers, as well as family members and friends, may refer on a woman’s behalf.   For information, call (925) 887-5675.

See Volunteer Opportunities for details.

• The American Cancer Society   www.cancer.org
• The Wellness Community   www.twc-bayarea.org
• The Women's Cancer Resource Center  www.wcrc.org
• The Better Health Foundation   www.betterhealthfoundation.org
• Community Breast Health Project   www.cbhp.org
• The Mothers’ Living Stories Project   www.motherslivingstories.org
• Breast Cancer Legal Clinic (888) 774-5200
• Mt. Diablo Cancer Center   www.jmmdhs.com (go to Explore our Services, then Cancer Care)
• John Muir Cancer Center   www.jmmdhs.com
• Contra Costa Regional Medical Center  
• Susan G. Komen for the Cure  www.komen.org
• Sutter Delta   www.sutterdelta.org
• San Ramon Regional Medical Center   www.sanramonmedctr.com
• La Clinica de la Raza   www.laclinica.org
• Spanish-Speaking Women’s Cancer Initiative   www.laclinica.org/wcir