Who We Are

Our History

The Comadre a Comadre program was co-founded with six Hispanic/Latina breast cancer survivors, and their loved ones, who shared their experiences about both the lack of culturally sensitive psychosocial support available to them and their own lack of knowledge of services when they were diagnosed. The Program received funding from the National Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for $250,000 which allowed for a more formal evaluation, including focus groups and full implementation of the intervention in 2003.

Who We Are

The Comadre Program is a holistic program that embodies strong Hispanic/Latino cultural coping practices, such as prayer and family support to address the many practical challenges faced by Hispanic/Latinas with breast cancer. The word “Comadre” is a term used to describe the non-biological close female kinship that exist in the Hispanic/Latino extended family unit. Our Peer Patient Navigators are breast cancer survivors who are trained in navigation and in providing emotional support from someone who "has been there." Survivors bring a lifelong passion and ability to motivate and inspire others to adapt and survive from a traumatic illness. This positive role modeling is critical, and not only are the Comadres breast cancer survivors but also representative of the Hispanic/Latino culture of the women being reached. The Program staff and volunteers are bilingual and Hispanic/Latino and all our services provided at no cost and in both Spanish and English.