Ellen P. Hermanson
September 22, 1952 - April 11, 1995

Ellen Hermanson was an articulate, courageous, and indomitable warrior in the war against breast cancer. Her personal battle with the disease began in February 1989, when she was still nursing her six-month-old daughter, Leora, and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Ellen fought against her disease medically by undergoing surgery and aggressive chemotherapy. Refusing to indulge in self pity or despair, Ellen also fought against breast cancer by becoming an activist and advocate. A journalist by training, she used her prodigious talent as a writer to give voice to the needs of breast cancer survivors and to educate her readers about the importance of being well informed, the challenges of living with breast cancer, and the availability of resources to help with the myriad problems that arise as a result of breast cancer. Her remarkable accomplishments attest her extraordinary inner strength and selfless generosity.

Ellen became an active member of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (“NCCS”), which advocates for survivors of all types of cancer. Later she served on its board and edited its quarterly newsletter, The Networker.

When Ellen looked to her own heritage for spiritual support and sustenance, she found that what she sought did not exist. Instead of bemoaning this lack, Ellen became one of the founders of Jewish Healing Center. She also served as the organization’s founding executive director and the first editor of its newsletter, The Outstretched Arm.

In the spring of 1992, Ellen was appointed the first executive director of the Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert. Ellen coordinated and organized their annual October symposia bringing together leading experts to tackle, using courtroom style, cutting edge issues in health law and policy confronting cancer patients.

In the fall of 1992, Ellen was diagnosed with a recurrence of her disease-this time in her bones. Determined not to be limited by her disease, Ellen continued her work. Although she underwent chemotherapy, and would remain on chemo for the rest of her life, her condition worsened. Ellen’s many projects included editing the Annual Report of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for 1993. In November 1994, Ellen delivered an important speech entitled One Patient’s Pain at the NCCS annual conference, receiving a standing ovation. She was weak, barely able to walk, and facing hip replacement surgery that her doctors agreed to delay until after the conference. This was the same conference where Justice Sandra Day O’Connor spoke of her breast cancer.

Ellen lost her hard-fought battle with breast cancer on April 11, 1995, at the age of 42. At the time of her death, she was working on an article exploring the then new and exciting potential of the internet as a source of information and sharing for patients and their families. Ellen left a legacy of dignity, courage, determination, grace and love to all who knew her. To honor her memory, The Ellen P. Hermanson Foundation has been established to support and continue the important work she began.