The Cancer Institute of New Jersey at Cooper (CINJ at Cooper) is proud to present the extraordinary book, Unveiled. In production for over a year, this book features photos and personal stories of 39 women of color who were diagnosed with breast cancer and withstood various types of surgeries, chemotherapies and radiation treatments. Developed by the Cooper support group, Sister Will You Help Me, these women were photographed and shared their stories in their own words to help other women of color with similar diagnoses.
“There has been much written before about reconstruction and options for women, but never before for women of color,” stated Generosa Grana, M.D., Director of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey at Cooper. “The stories are the most moving part of the book. The pictures are beautiful because they represent the experience of the women and the inner strength they had to deal with this disease.”
Evelyn Robles-Rodriguez, Director of Oncology Outreach Programs at Cooper and Diane Hyman, Program Coordinator, Camden County Cancer Screening Project and Facilitator of the Cooper breast cancer support group, "Sister Will You Help Me," were instrumental in brining the women and this book to fruition. “We keep working on finding new opportunities to better serve our community and this book is one step closer,” stated Robles.
“Our support group is about being able to share your hopes and fears,” said Gloria Gilbert, survivor and member of the planning team for the book. “We may have the disease but the disease does not have us.”
Funding for the book Unveiled was provided by grants from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Novartis Outreach and Education Project of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program. The book is distributed free of charge to physicians and agencies throughout New Jersey that are involved in breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment.