CPMC Foundation Shelby and Michelle Notkin

Shelby Notkin and his daughter Michelle Notkin know the pain of a breast cancer diagnosis. Both Melinda Notkin (Shelby’s wife and Michelle's mother) and Lin Paterson (Shelby's sister and Michelle's aunt) died from the disease in their 50s. So for more than 20 years the family has continued to make a series of philanthropic investments to help underwrite the Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program.

It feels sensational knowing the program is doing such great things for so many women.

—Shelby Notkin

Michelle Notkin recalls, “When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 52, it was frightening for all of us. She was treated at CPMC and the care was wonderful – she lived almost another seven years and we’re so grateful for every day of that time. But her experience gave us an up close view of just how difficult this disease can be. She often needed to see multiple doctors at once and scheduling all of that was very challenging. What we needed was someone who was familiar with her case, knew exactly what she needed and knew how to get it for her quickly. Ultimately, that’s what inspired us to create the Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program at CPMC more than a decade ago.

About the Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program

Since it was founded in 2004, the program has helped more than 25,000 women and serves about 2,000 patients and their families every year, free of charge. Cancer nurse navigators provide support for breast biopsy procedures, breast cancer diagnoses, treatment options and survivorship plans. CPMC's Health Psychology Team provides individual counseling and support groups.