Just in time for October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the climate for Treasure Coast breast cancer patients and survivors has improved with the news that Lin Reading, founder and primary facilitator of breast cancer support group Friends After Diagnosis, has earned certification as a Patient Navigator from the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute. The certification program trains individuals to help those diagnosed with cancer connect with medical care and other treatments and services that increase health, wellness, and survival.

Reading received a scholarship to attend training at the Institute in New York City in mid September. Dr. Freeman created and developed the first patient navigation program in 1990 in Harlem to reduce disparities in access to diagnosis and treatment of cancer, particularly among poor and uninsured people. His institute was established in 2007 by the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention to support patient navigation training to individuals associated with organizations.

Reading pursued the training to enhance her effectiveness as the primary facilitator of Friends After Diagnosis, which frequently welcomes newly diagnosed patients who aren’t sure where to turn next. Other meeting participants provide friendship, guidance, and support by sharing their experiences, and Reading – also a breast cancer survivor – works to guide group discussions.

Friends After Diagnosis meetings are open to all breast cancer patients past and present and any family, friends or caregivers they care to bring. The group exists to ease the journey for those navigating everyday life after a diagnosis that exacts devastating physical and emotional tolls. It meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Indian River Medical Center (IRMC) Cancer Center from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., as well as the third Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the IRMC executive dining room adjacent to the cafeteria. Discussion meetings alternate with speaker meetings, at which experts give presentations on treatment and other coping resources available on the Treasure Coast and beyond. New Friends are always welcome.

For more information about the group, visit www.FriendsAfterDiagnosis.com