RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Breast cancer survivors have a new place to find support and healing in Richmond.
The Central Virginia Chapter of the The Sisters Network, Inc. held the grand opening for their new sister house located in the city’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood Friday afternoon.
Several local elected leaders attended the event , including Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones and Delegate Delores McQuinn. A special guest was Sisters Network founder Karen Jackson who traveled from Houston, Texas to be part of the festivities.
“I’m really excited to be here. To know a vision is now a reality,” Jackson said.
Chapter founder Zelma Watkins told guests that the idea of having a sister house was first discussed when the national Sisters Network conference was held in Richmond in 2004.
Chapter President Brenda Archer says now that they’ve opened their doors they can meet with women when they need it the most.
“They don’t have to wait to meet with us during our regular monthly meetings,” Archer said. “They can come anytime the house is open and someone will be here to greet them.”
The home will serve as an office and meeting place for chapter members, as well as a place where patients and survivors can find resources and support. It features what members call a serenity room, where women can enjoy quiet time to heal their bodies and minds.
It also has a library room with literature about breast health, treatment and survivorship.
The house will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Archer says the days and hours they are open will increase over time.
Sisters Network Inc.is the only African American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States.
It was founded in Houston, Texas in 1994 with the purpose of saving lives and providing a broader scope of knowledge that address the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African American women around the country.
Currently, Sisters Network has over 40 affiliate chapters located in 22 cities, including Sisters Network Central Virginia.
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