Supporting Women, Saving Lives: Empowering Underserved Communities in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
OUR MISSION
Sister2Sister provides sanctuary and support for minority and underserved survivors.
Sister2Sister (S2S) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Breast Cancer Survivorship Organization dedicated to serving minority and underserved women in Central New Jersey. Since our founding in 2000, we have become a trusted resource for women battling breast cancer, providing sanctuary, education, advocacy, and vital support services to address disparities in care.
WHO WE ARE
OUR FOUNDING
Sister2Sister was founded by Dorothy J. Reed, Pearl Grace (deceased), Lareatha Payne, and Rosa Davis—four women whose personal experiences with breast cancer shaped the foundation of the organization. Their collective knowledge and insights, born from facing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, allow S2S to offer a uniquely empathetic and personalized perspective.
With years of hands-on service, our team provides critical support to newly diagnosed individuals, breast cancer survivors, and their families. Every inquiry, call, or visit is met with compassionate guidance and up-to-date educational information.
OUR HISTORY
2000 – 2001
Founding and Early Recognition
Sister2Sister (SNCNJ) was established as an affiliate chapter of Sisters Network, Inc., with a mission to empower women and address breast cancer disparities. Under the leadership of Dorothy Reed and founding members Pearl Grace, Lareatha Payne, and Rosa Davis, the organization secured grants from Komen for the Cure (North and South Jersey Affiliates), rented its first office in Somerset, and won the Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award. This period also marked a bittersweet moment with the passing of Vice President and founding member Pearl Grace. Starting with just 4 members and 15 volunteers, the foundation was laid for impactful growth.
2002 - 2003
Building Awareness and Advocacy
SNCNJ launched its first Annual Breakfast/Health Summit and conducted its inaugural breast cancer workshop at Antioch Christian Church. The organization expanded its reach through speaking engagements at corporations, colleges, churches, and senior centers. Advocacy efforts included lobbying in Washington, DC, and supporting the Patient Compassionate Act (Bill 5116). A new website was launched, a Professional Advisory Board was established, and four annual projects were introduced. SNCNJ earned the Chapter of the Year Award, solidifying its reputation as a leader in breast cancer advocacy.
2004 - 2005
Expanding Impact and Visibility
This period saw the launch of signature events like the Pearl Grace Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament and the Annual 5K Walk. Leadership gained national recognition, with the S2S President and Vice President featured in an AstraZeneca commercial. The chapter participated in a roundtable discussion with the NJ Governor and was honored by the NJ Nets during Black History Month. Forty-eight members attended the Sisters Network Inc. National Conference in Virginia, showcasing the chapter's commitment to national collaboration. An Associate Member Form was introduced to support membership growth.
2008 - 2009
Expansion and Collaboration
To broaden its outreach, SNCNJ opened a satellite office in Perth Amboy, NJ. The organization partnered with key healthcare institutions, including The Wellness Community of CINJ, St. Peter’s, and RWJ Hospitals, to enhance support services for breast cancer patients and survivors.
2006 - 2007
Organizational Growth and Recognition
SNCNJ achieved a major milestone by acquiring its 501(c)(3) status and becoming SNCNJ Inc. The organization moved into a 3,000 sq. ft. permanent headquarters in Somerset, NJ, enabling greater capacity to serve the community. The President was named one of Lifetime TV’s “Lifetime Heroes,” and the chapter received the Outstanding Affiliate Chapter Award. Five annual projects were solidified, and advocacy efforts continued with the Vice President speaking at a press conference alongside Governor Jon Corzine. This period also marked the loss of Secretary Fran Parson.
2010
National Recognition and Historic Engagement
The chapter’s influence reached new heights as the President appeared as a guest on the Katie Couric Show. Members also attended the unveiling of the Sojourner Truth Bust in Washington, DC, honoring a historic figure and reinforcing their commitment to advocacy and empowerment.
2011 - 2015
Advocacy and Leadership Transition
The President was honored as a White House “Champion of Change” for Precision Medicine, highlighting the organization’s national impact. SNCNJ led a letter-writing campaign urging the Governor to restore $1 million in state funding for cancer research. The satellite office in Perth Amboy was closed to streamline operations, and the chapter was invited to Central NJ Social Service Day in Washington, DC, by Congressman Holt. This period also marked the retirement of Vice President Lareatha Payne.
2016 - 2020
Rebranding and Strategic Partnerships
SNCNJ rebranded as Sister2Sister, Inc., maintaining its mission while modernizing its identity. Partnerships were formed with the CINJ Cancer Community Action Board, NJ Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science, and Rutgers University, leading to the creation of the RU-S2S Board and Committee. Collaborations with GirlTrek encouraged women to adopt walking for preventative health. A robust social media presence was established across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. The RU-S2S “Young Ambassadors” Initiative was launched to engage younger demographics and diversify outreach.
2021 - 2025
Resilience and 25th Anniversary Celebration
Sister2Sister demonstrated resilience by navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The formation of the Sister2Sister Plainfield location extended the organization’s reach, while the website was rebuilt to better connect with the community. Plans began for the 20th Anniversary Celebration, scheduled for April 25, 2025, marking two decades of impactful service and advocacy.
WHAT WE DO
Sister2Sister provides holistic support to individuals at every stage of their breast cancer journey:
Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP)
Financial and practical aid during treatment, including transportation, wigs, and groceries.
Mammography Outreach Project
Promotes early detection with year-over-year progress tracking.
Survivorship Support Meetings
Connects newly diagnosed individuals with survivors and resources.
Targeted Educational Programs
Tailored initiatives for teens, seniors, and other groups.
Virtual Webinars
Free sessions on breast health, nutrition, and wellness in collaboration with Rutgers Cancer Institute.
OUR IMPACT
For over two decades, Sister2Sister has been a beacon of hope for underserved individuals affected by breast cancer. Through education, advocacy, and direct support, we work to eliminate disparities and promote health equity.
500+
INDIVIDUALS SUPPORTED ANNUALLY
Comprehensive services tailored to each stage of the journey.
5,000+
EDUCATED THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS
Raising awareness and empowering communities.
1,000+
MAMMOGRAMS FACILITATED
Promoting early detection and saving lives.
1,600+
COUNSELING SESSIONS
Providing emotional, psychological, and social challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment.
50+
PARTNERSHIPS BUILT
Collaborations with healthcare leaders amplify our reach.
OUR LEADERS
Dorothy J. Reed
President & Founder
Mrs. Dorothy J. Reed is the Co-Founder and President of Sister2Sister, Inc. (S2S) and a breast cancer survivor since 1998. After her mastectomy and treatment, she co-founded S2S to address the lack of culturally sensitive resources for minority women; it was important for her to spread the gospel of early detection for minority women. Mrs. Reed formed the organization in 2000 with three other breast cancer survivors. As a community advocate, she serves as a board member for St. Peter’s Hospital, Cancer Community Public Education, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Community Relations Committee, the NJ Alliance for Clinical & Translational Science, Community Engagement Core Advisory Committee, and she as the past board chair for Dr. Anita Kinney’s Community Cancer Action Board (CCAB) at the Cancer Institute of NJ. Mrs. Reed’s accomplishments include the “Excellence in Leadership Award” from Rutgers Cancer Health Equity Center of Excellence (CHECoE), for time and dedication to the center’s mission; she is a graduate of the Community Scientist Program sponsored in conjunction with Rutgers Cancer Institute’s CCAB and Community Outreach and Engagement Department. In May 2005, Mrs. Reed was selected to participate on the Department of Defense, Breast Cancer Research Program Committee for the United States Army Medical Research Command. She has received a numerous of honors and awards including an appearance in a 2005 National Television Commercial Campaign by Astra Zeneca known as, “If You Were My Sister” she was also selected as one of Lifetime Hero’s by Lifetime Television in 2006. Nationally, in July 2015, she was selected as a White House Honoree of Precision Medicine “Champions of Change”; she has spent extensive time on Capitol Hill with the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Mrs. Reed holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Cum Laude, from Pillar College and is a 40 plus year member of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey.
Tress Parker
Executive Director
Tressiliane “Tress” M. Parker, the Executive Director of Sister2Sister Plainfield, resides in Somerset County with her husband of thirty years and four children. Her expertise is “People-Relations,” where she created positive experiences in healthcare for almost twenty-five years, technology for ten, and corporate meeting planning in the pharma industry, which included Fortune 500 corporations for the last five years. Tress’ introduction to Sister2Sister began in 2018 when Dorothy asked her to host a focus group about normalizing the conversation around a cancer diagnosis, clinical trials, and social determinants. Since then, she has attended multiple programs and walked away each time, searching her heart and mind for ideas to help further support and offer educational programs for underinsured and underserved minorities with financial and supportive resources. Tress is passionate about addressing healthcare disparities, which compelled her to make meaningful contributions toward initiatives related to preventative health, resulting in recognition for resourcefulness in connecting businesses to businesses within minority communities to support these efforts. She fully engages the marketing process with the desire to see others win and is further developing her skills for strategic fundraising. Her first year working with Plainfield included meeting with survivors and weekly walks for the Sister2Sister GirlTrek Crew. With Dorothy’s support, Sister2Sister’s mission was shared with approximately 1,500 individuals. Tress is excited to serve with this group and looks forward to an extraordinary future.
OUR ADVISORY BOARD & VOLUNTEERS
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dorothy J. Reed
Co-Founder and President
Tress Parker
Executive Director
Lucia Brown
Director, BCAP & Programing
Sharyce N. Toppin
Vice-President
Uzoamaka Achebe
Communications/Liaison RU-S2S
Clinton Parker III, Ph.D.
President & CEO, Leaderlift
OFFICERS
Kimberly Francois
Council-At-Large - Township of Franklin
Kathleen Toomey, MD
Steeplechase Cancer Ctr at RWJ-Somerset Campus
Amrill Salcedo-Alonzo, Esq. (Chair)
Attorney at Law
Cynthia Umukoro
Sales Professional
AMBASSADORS & VOLUNTEERS
Janice Gilmore
IT Consultant
Rutgers University
Committee Members
Gilbert Pilarte, LCSW (Counseling)
Strategic Living LLC
RU S2S
Executive Board & Members
OUR LOCATIONS
Each Sister2Sister chapter provides specialized services tailored to the needs of its local community while collectively advancing our mission of empowering individuals, fostering inclusivity, and saving lives.
SOMERSET CHAPTER
1201 Hamilton Street
Somerset, NJ 08873
Phone: 732-246-8300
PLAINFIELD CHAPTER
324 Monroe Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07063
Phone: 908-421-0176
JOIN OUR MISSION
Together, we can transform the fight against breast cancer into a journey of hope, resilience, and empowerment for all individuals in need.
Sister2Sister is more than an organization—it’s a community dedicated to addressing breast cancer disparities, fostering equity, and supporting individuals every step of the way. Together, we can save lives, promote inclusivity, and ensure everyone has access to the resources and care they deserve.