Sisters Network  Inc. History

 

Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), founded in 1994, is a leading voice and only national Black breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States. Sisters Network is governed by an elected Board of Directors and assisted by an appointed medical advisory committee. Membership is 3000, which includes more than 25 affiliate survivor run chapters nationwide. The organization’s purpose is to save lives and provide a broader scope of knowledge that addresses the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting Black women around the country.

 

As a nationally recognized organization among leading medical establishments and breast cancer physicians, Sisters Network is also recognized as a critical information resource for Black women.

 

At the core of Sisters Network mission is support, outreach and education. During 2011, Sisters’ breast health outreach initiatives impacted an estimated 3.9 million families.

 

Charting new territory is not uncommon for the innovative organization. In 1999, Sisters’ broke new ground by hosting the nation’s first national Breast Cancer Conference to specifically address the impact of breast cancer among African American women. Now in its 12th year, the conference, which attracts more than 600 participants, including nationally recognized medical experts, has been held in metropolitan cities such as Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Richmond Virginia and Chicago.

 

Among the organizations trademark and successful national community outreach programs are "The Gift for Life Block Walk®," "The Pink Ribbon Awareness Project," STOP THE SILENCE® These initiatives are implemented through Sisters’ affiliate chapters and are generously underwritten through federal funding, corporate partnerships and private contributions. In April, 2010 Sisters Network Inc Nationial Headquarters made history by holding the 1st National African American Breast Cancer 5K Walk /Run in Houston Texas. The historic event will be an annual walk to Stop the Silence®, bring about breast cancer awareness and replace fear with HOPE as participants from across the country walked together to find a cure.

 

Sisters’ national branding campaign, "STOP THE SILENCE®," speaks directly to the nations, African American communities, long-standing history of not discussing cancer and other life-threatening health concerns. The national slogan has been used in Billboard and bumper sticker campaigns. This level of keen understanding of the African-American community mindset continues to allow the organization to effectively educate and heighten breast health awareness and survivorship in the African American community.