Vicki Tashman was a 44-year-old mother of two when she received her breast cancer diagnosis over the phone. Soon thereafter she began chemotherapy sessions to treat invasive Stage 1 cancer. In the weeks that followed, Tashman pursued all the suggestions of her doctors: she kept a regular journal, attended survivor support groups, interviewed several physicians for medical recommendations, and turned toward a close network of family and friends. In spite of these efforts, though, Tashman still felt that something was missing: the ability to personally connect with someone who knew exactly what she was going through.

“I took advantage of different support groups when I was going through my treatment,” Tashamn says. “But there was really no one there that was my age, with my type of cancer and treatment.”

It was the absence of this contact that inspired Tashman to create Pink-Link.org, the first online support network for breast cancer patients, survivors, and their families and friends.

Founded in 2005, Pink-Link has become a forum for survivors and for those currently undergoing breast cancer treatmen– a place to turn for emotional support, to discuss treatment options and side effects, and to find solace in what can be an isolating and physically arduous journey.

Though a wealth of medical information is now available on the web, putting a human face on such information can make a profound difference for a breast cancer patient who feels overwhelmed and alone. With Pink-Link, a newly diagnosed survivor can share her own specific breast cancer pathology and then search for other members with similar diagnoses and treatment plans.

As privacy is a matter of concern for anyone sharing medical information over the web, Tashman has developed a system that allows patients and survivors to register and communicate with one another without ever revealing their name, address, e-mail or other personal information. In addition to offering a personal blogging platform for members, Pink-Link also hosts a number of forums where survivors can ask questions to volunteer experts in nutrition, holistic health, physical training and skin care, in addition to a general forum for members to engage in dialogue with each other.

Now, nearly four years after its founding, Pink-Link boasts thousands of members in the U.S. and across the world– and thanks to individual donations, it remains a completely free and confidential service.

“I get emails almost every day from members saying thank you for creating this, and telling me about the people they’ve met through this site,” Tashman says. “I know people are really using it and getting the support they need.”