Rochester, N.Y. -- After her second bout with breast cancer, Chrisann Philipson felt both the emotional and financial struggles of going through treatment.
Her sister and friends stepped in to help. They held fundraisers to help Chrisann pay for co-pays and procedures not covered by health insurance.
They also helped her pay daily bills, so she wouldn't have to worry while out of work to recover from her treatment.
That's when Chrisann realized she wanted to do the same thing to help other women.
So she and five others founded Embrace Your Sisters.
The group offers grants to help patients take care of their bills, so they can focus on their health.
"We help people so they won't be evicted from their homes," says Lisa Cessna, one of the group's founders. "We help people keep the heat on and put food on the table."
The group has helped 200 people and have a stack of applications from many others who need assistance.
Those in need must meet certain financial guidelines, but 98 percent of those who apply, qualify for help.
The group holds fundraisers, like a fashion show each year to raise money to help patients.
They are also selling pretty pink ornaments for the holidays. Those will be for sale at the Granger House in Canandaigua.
Knowing they have helped ease the financial worries, is all the thanks these group members need.
But Cessna says when they receive thank you notes from patients, it sometimes brings them to tears.
For more information, visit
EmbraceYourSisters.org.
