PORTSMOUTH, NH — Breast cancer survivor Wendy McCoole never realized that sharing her story on a Web site called “Bald Wendy” would ultimately change the course of her life — and her career.

But after documenting her diagnosis, treatments and emotions online for two years, the Portsmouth, NH, woman, who has been free and clear of the disease since 2005, quit her job and founded a site called BreastCancerStories.com. The venue allows friends and families to read updates about their loved ones’ health and leave loving messages of support. It also acts as a searchable index of stories that enables newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to find others going through something similar.

“When I went through my treatments in 2004, it was tough to stay in touch with everybody — I didn’t want to bother them and, oftentimes, they didn’t know what to ask,” said McCoole. “So I started ‘Bald Wendy’ as a way to stay in touch with everyone and update them when I was feeling up to it. Initially, I received wonderful messages of support and love from friends and family in my guest book, but then all of a sudden there were entries in it from people that I didn’t even know.”

The former marketing executive, who was tired of the corporate world and felt the need to give back, said that was when the idea for BreastCancerStories.com hit her. In June of 2006, she launched the BreastCancerStories.com site, which already boasts more than 125 registered users who are sharing their breast cancer stories online with more than 10,000 visits to those pages every month.

“The thing that really makes our site unique is the searchable option that helps visitors find other people’s stories,” said McCoole. “The stories are all indexed by age, location, treatment and type of cancer, and some writers offer photos as well. It’s important that men and women have a place like this to visit so they can share their experiences and learn about what others have been through.”

Registration on BreastCancerStories.com is free and members are provided with their own Web page, a guestbook and an e-mail address so they can communicate freely with others through the site. BreastCancerStories.com is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that is funded by charitable contributions, healthcare sponsorships, grants, individual donations and events. For information, visit www.breastcancerstories.com.