Endorsements from Authorities in Related Fields

"Getting It Off Our Chests is an effective exploration of breast cancer written and performed by a group of survivors. There is nothing trivial here, but rather deep soul-searching confessions shared amongst 'bosom buddies'. Some will make you laugh; others cry. It helped them and it can help you with any challenge of great significance."

Dr. C. Everett Koop served as the U.S. Surgeon General from 1981 to 1989. He continues to be a force for public health and health education through his writings, electronic media, public appearances, personal contacts, and as Senior Scholar of the C. Everett Koop Institute at Dartmouth.

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"Words are remarkable things - when they come straight from the heart, they have the ability to heal, to help, and to inspire. The journeys of these courageous women, as evidenced in their performance, is a tribute to the power of a story, and how sometimes even just the telling of it can be its own happy ending."
--Jodi Picoult, Bosom Buddies writing consultant
NYT bestselling author of My Sister's Keeper, Vanishing Acts, and The Tenth Circle

Jodi Picoult is the New York Times best-selling novelist of over a dozen novels, including her most recent book The Tenth Circle. As the writing consultant for the Bosom Buddies project, she helped the women find words inside themselves that are full of wit and wisdom. A successful novelist and bright sparkling personality, Jodi has remained an inspiration for all of us.

"Getting It Off Our Chests is a deeply moving portrayal of women who've lived with cancer. Although the subject is painful, the very fact of writing is hopeful. When we write, we affirm our connection with others. We reach out from our very private sorrow, despair, anger or isolation to connect with someone we may never meet, but who we take a chance may understand us or perhaps feel understood. I am richer for having had the chance to hear these women share their stories."
--Ellen Bass
Author

Ellen Bass is renowned for her work with survivors of sexual abuse in The Courage To Heal books. She runs narrative and poetry writing workshops around the world and has most recently published a book of poetry called Mules of Love.

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"As an oncologist myself, and friend of some of the women involved, I have been struck by how Bosom Buddies has given both a powerful and empowering voice to women who so often felt powerless in the face of cancer. Rather than encouraging a "just think positive" attitude, these women are a powerful example of what it means to examine the dark fears that come with a cancer diagnosis and come out the other side. This process has given these women a voice, both on the stage and in their lives, and they are using that voice to spread their message of hope to both medical practitioners and other patients."

Dr. Joseph O'Donnell is the Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Cancer Education, the official journal of the American and European Associations for Cancer Education. He is a Senior Dean at Dartmouth Medical School, as well as a practicing oncologist.

"No matter how hard we try as breast cancer specialists to understand what our patients are experiencing, we can never truly know the personal and individual struggles they have with friends, family, treatment, and even "inner demons". This is a performance that should be viewed by all medical oncologists and those in training so that they can learn to see beyond the risks and benefits of cancer treatment to the individuals who are seeking their help and advice."
--Dr. Kathryn Edmiston, Oncologist
Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Dr. Kathryn Edmiston is an oncologist/breast specialist who has an uncommon bond with her patients. She not only saves lives, she gives of herself so freely. This is the type of woman we all wantto have on our team. During dinner after our performance, Dr. Edmiston said that even after more than 20 years as a breast specialist, she heard things in our show that she had never heard before.

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"Bosom Buddies is a powerful merger of that which is universal with that which is personal in the breast cancer journey. I'm grateful that the women involved boldly and bravely articulate their personal experiences, touching those of us who share this journey, with themes that are common to all of us. Our own laughter and tears are healing."
--Candace Anderson
Director, ARTS (Art and Research for Transcendence and Survival)

Candace Anderson is an artist and breast cancer survivor, and her organization, ARTS, creates a healing environment to support cancer care through art, education, and science. She has teamed up with the Silent Spring Institute to raise money for breast cancer prevention research through the ARTS CARDS. You can find her beautiful watercolor notecards at the Silent Spring website.