Cancer survivor Ray Anne Evans said the women who work at the BCRC know what it means to get a breast cancer diagnosis.

Fifteen years ago, a woman diagnosed with breast cancer may have not known of a place to go to find someone to talk and relate to.

Two years later, a center was created with that sole purpose in mind.

The people who work and volunteer at the Breast Cancer Resource Center offer more than just a helping hand.

"We're all survivors and we all know what it means to get that diagnosis," cancer survivor Ray Anne Evans said.

Sometimes, that understanding makes all the difference when you've just been diagnosed with cancer.

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	Beating Breast Cancer The Brest Cancer Resource Center offers support and answers questions for anyone concerned about breast cancer.

"Many years ago women didn't have any power,” Evans said. “The doctor would say, 'All right, we're going to go in and check and see if you have breast cancer, and you'll probably come out without a breast.’ Well that doesn't happen anymore, and we're helping them gain the knowledge around that diagnosis so they can make informed, knowledgeable decisions."

The BCRC is a place where women who currently have breast cancer or have survived breast cancer can come and learn from each other.

"People learn different ways,” Evans said. “So they might hear it and learn from it or they might read it and learn from it. So, we kind of double them up and say, 'Here's a book, but let's talk about what you've learned.’"

The women working at the center, who have walked the path others are only beginning, realize cancer can happen to anyone.

"Regardless of your age, of your race, of anything, you need to make sure you're an advocate for yourself because cancer happens,” cancer survivor Runi Limary said. “I was diagnosed at 28, and I was told I was too young, and I know other women that have walked through our doors that were diagnoses when they were in their early 20s."

With the support from the sisterhood found in this organization, women grasp hope.

"They realize there is a life after being diagnosed and treatment – and same thing with surgery,” Limary said. “So they realize, 'OK, I'm going to get through this and I'm going to be OK.’"

	Cancer survivor Runi Limary received her diagnosis when she was just 28 years old.

From services, to focus groups, to a second family, women at the center hope those who need a place of comfort will find what they need here.

The BCRC offers an array of educational books and CDs to check out as well as several support groups.

To learn more about the center visit the Breast Cancer Resource Center Web site.