---
title: "Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program"
description: "The stress begins even before diagnosis. When a woman is first referred for a biopsy of a suspicious mass in her breast, the worry immediately sets in for her and her loved ones as they face many questions and what-if scenarios."
url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/notkin-breast-cancer-recovery-program"
---

1.  [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) /
2.  [Giving](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving) /
3.  [Giving opportunities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities) /
4.  [Women's and children's health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health) /
5.  Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program

# Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program

**Section menu**

-   [Women's and children's health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health "Women's and children's health")
    -   [Carol Ann Read Breast Health Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/read-breast-health-center "Carol Ann Read Breast Health Program")
        
    -   [Kalmanovitz Child Development Center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/kalmanovitz-child-development-center "Kalmanovitz Child Development Center")
        
    -   [Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/notkin-breast-cancer-recovery-program "Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program")
        
    -   [Sophie's Place](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/sophies-place "Sophie's Place")
        
    -   [Youth mental health reimagined](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/youth-mental-health "Youth mental health reimagined")
        

-   [Women's and children's health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health "Women's and children's health")
    -   [Carol Ann Read Breast Health Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/read-breast-health-center "Carol Ann Read Breast Health Program")
        
    -   [Kalmanovitz Child Development Center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/kalmanovitz-child-development-center "Kalmanovitz Child Development Center")
        
    -   [Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/notkin-breast-cancer-recovery-program "Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program")
        
    -   [Sophie's Place](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/sophies-place "Sophie's Place")
        
    -   [Youth mental health reimagined](https://www.sutterhealth.org/giving/giving-opportunities/women-and-children-health/youth-mental-health "Youth mental health reimagined")
        

## Navigating breast cancer care is overwhelming

When you’re referred for a biopsy after a suspicious breast mass is detected it can bring a wave of uncertainty — for you and for the people who care about you. Questions come quickly, and it can be hard to know what comes next.

![notkin-michelle-and-shelby](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/notkin-michelle-and-shelby.jpg "Michelle Notkin and her father, Shelby Notkin")

> This life-changing program has helped more than 30,000 women since its founding in 2004.

Inspired by their own experience caring for loved ones with [breast cancer](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/breast-cancer), the Notkin family made a generous commitment to help others navigate this moment with greater clarity and support. [Watch an interview with the Notkins](https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/sutter-health-program-helps-breast-cancer-patients-navigate-next-steps/ "Watch an interview with the Notkins").

### A team of specialists provides personalized support

The program begins with a [cancer patient navigator](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/cancer-patient-navigators), who helps patients prepare for their biopsy and, with the referring physician’s permission, shares and explains the results.

If results are benign, the patient navigator discusses appropriate follow-up care. If cancer is diagnosed, they take the time to review the diagnosis, help coordinate next steps and offer guidance on questions to ask the medical oncology team.

A multidisciplinary team offers comprehensive support to help women and their families throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery:

-   **Patient navigators** provide ongoing guidance for hundreds of newly diagnosed patients each year, helping coordinate appointments, explain medical terms and support decision-making, including referrals for genetic testing.
-   **Social workers** offer personalized support, from helping patients talk with their families to navigating insurance questions.
-   **Dietitians** create nutrition plans to support strength and well-being during treatment.
-   **Health psychology fellows** help patients and their families meet the emotional challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment with individual consultations and support groups.

Thanks to philanthropic support, the Notkin Program is available **at no cost** — giving patients access to education, guidance and compassionate support from diagnosis through survivorship.

### Your gift at any level can have a profound impact

For more information on making a gift to the Notkin Program, please contact:    
Anna Schroeder, Director, Women’s & Children’s Health, CPMC Foundation   
[415-600-2964](tel:14156002964), [anna.schroeder@sutterhealth.org](mailto:anna.schroeder@sutterhealth.org) or [Hollie.Seeley@sutterhealth.org](mailto:hollie.Seeley@sutterhealth.org) .

## Give to CPMC

Give to the Notkin Family Breast Cancer Recovery Program.

[Make a gift](https://give.sutterhealth.org/campaign/851381/donate?c_src=SHwebNotkin)

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