The Clemson Area Bosom Buddies (CABB) is a support group founded by breast cancer survivors in the mid 1990’s. The support group offers regular informal meetings, guest speakers, holiday events, craft projects and outreach efforts. In addition, through word of mouth, newly diagnosed breast cancer patients are the recipients of a card shower (current members send cards of encouragement) as well as chemo bags distributed to local cancer centers for those breast cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy.
Over the past 6 years we have worked with a variety of Clemson University classes/students who have provided a variety of support and materials to further our goals. In the Spring of 2018 a Clemson University graduate course (ENGL 8320: Content Strategy and UX Design for Professional Communicators) developed a well-researched content strategy plan for CABB. The results provided information about how current communication and outreach strategies could be improved. The class recommendations included multiple ways to provide information to newly diagnosed patients, including a timeline of the average breast cancer journey and when interventions by a support group could be helpful. They developed a template for an informational flyer/brochure, recommended increasing presence through Facebook or a website, and developed branding materials, including a logo, word mark and color palette. Using that information, CABB leadership received non-profit status. Since then we have received two Dabo Foundation grants which help us provide chemo bags, program and outreach activities. And we have continued to work with Clemson University classes/students.
Our chemo bags for breast cancer survivors are currently being distributed at the Seneca Prisma Health Cancer Institute, the AnMed Cancer Center and the Easley Prisma Health Cancer Institute.
For more information, contact Wendy Howard at ClemsonAreaBosomBuddies@gmail.com
