Survivors Offering Support (SOS)

Survivors Offering Support (SOS) is a network of women who have completed breast cancer treatment and are making a difference by offering their understanding, encouragement and practical insight to women newly-diagnosed with the disease.

Founded in 2004 by survivor Denise O'Neill, SOS has trained more than 300 mentors. Today the program supports 22 percent of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Maryland.

Shore Health System offers this one-to-one support program under the leadership of Edla Coleman, who is SOS Coordinator and a breast cancer survivor. She is working as an integrated member of the Shore Regional Breast Center team.

SOS mentors are expertly-trained volunteers who are available to meet in person or by phone to give guidance and vital support to women at a time when they may be finding it difficult to be hopeful. The extent of what may be an ever-changing relationship is determined by SOS mentors and the needs of each woman from diagnosis through treatment to survivorship.

In addition to peer-to-peer support, SOS offers Partner Support Workshops for spouses, partners and caregivers, as well as Transition to Wellness Workshops for survivors evolving from treatment to wellness.

SOS is sponsored by Shore Health System and funded by a grant from the Maryland Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

To learn more about SOS, to become a volunteer mentor or to be assigned to a mentor, contact Edla Coleman, SOS Coordinator at 410-822-1000, ext. 5866 or email ecoleman@shorehealth.org.