A NEW VISION

When Dorcas was founded in 2008, it was with dreams of providing a multi-level support system for women in Payne County who were or had been dealing with breast cancer. Besides providing a comprehensive listing of every possible resource provider in the central Oklahoma area, we had also hoped to implement a volunteer-based support system to provide transportation, financial aid, and emotional support. Now, two years later, we have re-evaluated the needs of our area coupled with a more realistic appraisal of the economic climate as well as what is involved in fund-raising and volunteer recruitment, and have decided to simplify our vision in order to better provide what is so necessary to survival of breast cancer - namely, HOPE! Thus, we will focus primarily on keeping an up-to-date online listing of any known provider of medical and support services, gift items, and other related providers to help ensure that choices when dealing with breast cancer - whether your own diagnosis, or that of someone you love - are made knowing all options possible. So we will continue our HOPE^(c) Resource Guide.

The Stillwater/Payne County area is fortunate in that it not only boasts a local cancer treatment center and many qualified physicians and other providers, but is located within relatively easy access of both the greater Oklahoma City metro area and also the Tulsa metro area, which offer considerable options whether seeking a physician, a wig shop, physical therapy for lymphedema, or a myriad of other related services and goods.

We strive to keep as up-to-date as possible, and invite your participation in our efforts. If you personally have experience with physicians or other services that you don't see listed, please email us! Also, if we have someone listed who is no longer in practice or business, or has a broken link, email us that information too and we'll research and update as needed. We are always seeking out information on supportive links as well - books, gifts, art, spiritual resources, anything that will aid and/or improve the journey through the world of breast cancer. Our greatest ally in fighting anything is knowledge, so together we can offer as much knowledge possible to ensure that informed choices are made.

We will also continue to offer DORCAS Dolls to women newly diagnosed. If you, or someone you know, would like a DORCAS Doll sent to them, please send us an email. For more information about the DORCAS Dolls, or if you'd like to donate a doll to be given away, click here.

Please be sure to visit often as we'll update every time we have new information.

 

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Who is dorcas?

On February 23, 2007, as Mo Wassell, founder, waited for her friend to take her for the biopsy of a lump found in her left breast, she opened her Bible seeking comfort. Her eyes fell on the story in Acts where Peter was called to Joppa to minister to the friends of Tabitha (whose name is DORCAS in Greek). DORCAS was a kind and compassionate garment maker who helped many people in her town, and she had just died. Peter sent her friends away, prayed, then commanded DORCAS to live. Acts. 9:41 reads in part, "he gave her his hand... and raised her to new life." That has become the touchstone and philosophy of the entire vision for DORCAS as we seek to offer our collective hands and raise women to "new life" as they deal with all the issues surrounding breast cancer.
 

As Mo progressed along her journey through breast cancer and the related treatments, she determined to absorb each experience to the fullest, both good and bad, and to find a way somehow to translate those experiences into help for other women who will embark on their own journey. Within three months of completing all treatments for her breast cancer, DORCAS project, inc. became a reality.

 

 

     DORCAS project, inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, formed under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and the IRS, and all donations are tax deductible.

 

 

A letter to you ~ Being a "breast cancer survivor" is a wide-spread sisterhood, but one which no one would voluntarily join. Mo writes, "When I heard the radiologist saying 'Mo, I'm pretty sure the report will come back positive for malignancy... you need to find a surgeon as soon as possible...' I went into an emotional state of mind I'd never experienced before. Even though I had fully expected those words, the reality of hearing them kind of knocked the wind out of me. For personal reasons I wanted to find a doctor in the Oklahoma City area, but soon discovered that there was no local listing or assistance to locate what I was hoping for. (for more pictures and to read more, click here ...)