Experience Artistic Expression with SBC! Check out the recording of our Mandalas class: Art therapy—encompassing writing, drawing, painting, and poetry—has emerged as a powerful and accessible tool for empowering those diagnosed with cancer to reclaim their psychological well-being and quality of life. For those who are currently facing or have gone through breast cancer, creative expression provides more than a distraction; it offers healing, validation, and community. Art by Linda Recent Research on Art Therapy A recent peer-reviewed systematic review published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship  synthesized findings from 31 randomized controlled trials involving breast cancer survivors and various art interventions, including visual arts (drawing, painting), music, dance, and poetry.  The results were emphatic: Visual art and music-based interventions consistently led to significant improvements in anxiety, depression, and overall quality of life for those who had completed primary treatment for breast cancer. Dance-based interventions yielded mixed outcomes—showing most promise with body image enhancement—while data on poetry, though promising, remained limited and highlighted the need for further exploration. Why Art Therapy Matters: Addressing the Aftermath of Cancer Art by Mary Even after completing treatment, cancer survivors face other challenges, including anxiety, depression, altered self-image, and existential uncertainty. Conventional medical care often overlooks multi-layered needs. Art therapy offers survivors avenues to process complex emotions, express fears, and cultivate resilience. Enhancing Quality of Life The act of making art—whether painting emotions on a canvas, crafting verses, or simply coloring—can reduce psychological distress and foster a sense of control and hope. Art therapies serve not only as an emotional outlet, but as a means to restore agency and connection: Creative writing and poetry enable survivors to reframe their experiences, articulate new narratives, and find community through shared storytelling. Drawing and painting provide a nonjudgmental space to process thoughts and externalize feelings that are difficult to verbalize. Group art sessions build bonds among participants, reducing the sense of isolation common in survivorship. Art practice often triggers beneficial physiological responses, such as emotional regulation and reduced stress. Creative Healing in Practice at SurvivingBreastCancer.org SurvivingBreastCancer.org   offers a plethora of creative programs as core, evidence-based components of survivorship support. Our programs include: Artistic Expression Expressive Writing  (all stages) Expressive Writing for Metastatic Breast Cancer Meditation Reflection Our offerings are completely free and open to anyone diagnosed with breast cancer, wherever they are in their cancer experience. Want more? Check out lots of videos on our Expressive Arts YouTube playlist ! Art by Stacey The Call to Creativity Art therapy unlocks an individual’s innate healing potential, allowing them not only to cope, but to truly thrive. Research shows that supporting cancer recovery also means supporting creativity—in all its beautiful and restorative forms. “When you create with intention, your subconscious mind begins to speak,” explains Artistic Expression facilitator Elisa Herrera. “As you choose colors, shape forms, or allow words to emerge, you are receiving messages from your inner self. This process becomes a quiet yet powerful conversation, one that reveals what is happening beneath the surface, the emotions that are asking to be acknowledged, and the importance of giving them space to be seen, felt, and honored.” Artistic Expression participants share their experiences: This is one of my favorite programs SBC offers. Learning to express myself is great! I didn't know what to expect from the class. It was good to experience other participants' art and their emotions and stories along with the support. Always a pleasure to attend. My favorite part is when everyone shares. Like always, I love this safe, sacred space! Learn more and register for programs at survivingbreastcancer.org/events . On the Podcast: Breast Cancer Conversations Breast Cancer Stopped My Life—Music and Meditation Helped Me Breathe Again Share your story, poetry, or art: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/submit-breast-cancer-story SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources & Support: Podcast Weekly Meetup s Free Events

By Carol Monteiro It was 2021, and the world was holding its breath. The pandemic had reshaped everything – our routines, our fears, even access to healthcare. Annual checkups became afterthoughts, including mine. Everyone I spoke to felt blah! Spending time on couches, overeating, drinking and weight gain. Life felt off. I blamed it on a year-long sabbatical, the comfort foods, the extra wine, the lack of movement. I chalked up my low energy to pandemic blues. And then…   The Discovery I felt a hard mass  under my right collarbone. I ran my fingers over it absentmindedly, assuming I’d bumped into something. Not alarmed a bit. Weeks passed. Then months. I gave it no further thought. It was not until one day I felt the need to call my doctor for a virtual consult as I was experiencing pain in my right wrist. I found I was losing strength and grip. After evaluating the wrist virtually and while writing up the requisition for an x-ray, “Anything else bothering you?” he asked casually. I hesitated as nothing came to mind. Then I felt the need to say something and casually mentioned this hard mass I had discovered under my right collarbone. His tone shifted immediately. Calm to clipped. No questions asked he said, “I want you to go for an express ultrasound – today. You’ll hear from me in two hours.” Two hours? That sounded urgent. Still, I pushed aside the worry, telling myself not to overreact. This had never happened before.   The Diagnosis At the lab, I got in quickly. The ultrasound technician spent an unusually long time over one spot, clicking image after image. Her questions, though not alarming, were gentle and casual. When did you notice it? Does it hurt? How are you feeling? Concern flickered in my mind. But again, I brushed it away. “Your doctor will receive the results within two hours,” she said after over 45 minutes of examination. I found that odd, but yet again, did not give it much brain space. Fifteen minutes after I left the lab, my phone rang. My doctor, his voice, firm now. “We need to do more tests,” he said. “I’ve booked you for a mammogram first thing tomorrow. There may be further steps.” “Further steps?” I asked curiously. “I can’t say more until we investigate,” he replied. “The doctors at the hospital will walk you through. Give yourself 2-3 hours.”  I was puzzled, and the lack of a prognosis was beginning to make me anxious.   The Words That Changed My Life Following the pandemic protocols, patients were not allowed to arrive with companions. As such, I sat alone at the hospital, COVID restrictions keeping my husband outside. After registration, I was handed a stack of forms to fill out. The waiting room smelled like antiseptic – too clean, too sterile. The chair beneath me was stiff, unwelcoming. I found a corner and started filling out the forms. As the questions delved deeper into my and my family’s medical history, particularly with regard to cancer, I began to feel my stomach tighten. I had to make a few calls to my mum to ask details on those that had cancer in our family. As she was getting worried, I comforted her that I was just filling some medical forms and it was nothing to worry about. Meanwhile, I was finding it hard to keep the myriad of thoughts out of my head. I handed the clipboard to the receptionist and took a corner spot in the waiting room. My fingers traced the edges of my phone, its screen flashing with unread messages. “Breathe!” I told myself. “It will all be okay – just breathe.”  First it was the blood test – uneventful, done by a cheerful student. Then came the mammogram. Then the ultrasound. Picture after picture. Reading after reading, the technician swiped honing in on that hard mass. Her face betrayed nothing, but her silence screamed. Forty-five minutes passed before she paused and told me she would need to bring in a doctor. She quietly left the room. Meanwhile, I could hear the notifications of my husband’s messages. My phone was in my purse on the door and there was no way for me to comfort him. And then a doctor entered, direct and unsmiling. His presence tightened the air. “We need to do a punch biopsy. It will be quick. I will freeze the area, which will sting, and then it will all be over.” The needle pierced deep, a dull, insistent ache blooming under my skin. My breath hitched, but I didn’t flinch. Pain was irrelevant now.  Later, I was escorted to a waiting room, where I quickly gave my husband a brief on what had transpired. Minutes later, the oncologist arrived. I had my husband on speakerphone. The doctor asked how I was doing and then said with conviction… “You have breast cancer.”    Four words. That was all it took. A crack split through my world, invisible yet absolute.    My husband sobbed through the phone. I sat frozen. My mind grasped at disbelief, but my body already knew. I asked, “Are you sure?” Duh! Of course he was. The doctor confirmed it with a solemn nod. He went on to say, “You’ll need a mastectomy  within the month.”  Then, just like that, he was gone. A nurse stepped in, placing her hand over mine – warm, grounding and caring. She handed me a bag of something. I hung up on my husband, who was uncontrollably sobbing in the car waiting for me to get done.   I looked down. The bag was full of pamphlets. A thousand unspoken fears.    The biopsy was sent for pathology. However, the doctor gave me an unofficial diagnosis based on what information he had. He was convinced and called me back in a week for the official diagnosis after the biopsy pathology. The Turning Point Forty-eight hours. That’s all it took.  One moment, I was worried about wrist pain. The next, I was staring cancer in the face.    I had two choices – break under the weight or rise. I chose to RISE!   The first night, fear settled in like an uninvited guest. I lay awake, my mind clawing through every moment that led to this. “Where did I go wrong? How did I miss it? What comes next?” The silence was unbearable, thick with unanswered questions . Then I heard it – a quiet voice inside me, steady, unwavering: “There’s purpose in this.”   I didn’t know what that meant yet. But I knew one thing: I refused to disappear under the weight of this disease.    My husband was unraveling. My children, desperate to help. I saw their pain, their helplessness, their fear reflected back at me. I couldn’t fix everything. But I could be their anchor. So I focused on what I could control: ME .    I kept the news close, guarding it like something fragile. My mother-in-law was unwell, and I was not ready to share my news with the world.    Some nights, the fear returned – sharp, insistent. But with every sunrise, resolve took its place. I learned. I questioned. I shifted. My diet changed. My mind sharpened. My body moved more. I meditated. I studied. I prepared. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast. It started as stage 2; however, after I changed hospitals and had a second opinion  with repeat tests I was staged as 3. I was HER2+. Cancer was in my life. But I would decide the terms   on which it stayed!    I’d faced mountains before – starting over across continents, rebuilding a career, raising children without nearby family, learning to drive, swim, ski as an adult.    I knew I was resilient! This? This would be another mountain. And I would climb it.    A New Purpose My treatment plan included chemo (8 sessions of AC, paclitaxel, and trastuzumab), a full mastectomy, radiation, and 15 sessions of Kadcyla. I was fortunate to qualify for a DIEP flap reconstructive surgery and am beyond delighted with the results. I guess that is the silver lining of this experience. My Treatment Experience I had a great team of doctors who managed my expectations well. That, coupled with my “can do” approach to life, I feel I cruised through it. But I would like to be realistic: The treatments were harsh, and dealing with side effects challenging. I struggled to share my pain with my family as even in my state I felt I needed to take care of them. My children were my huge support. However my spouse really struggled coping with the uncertainty and discomfort. He buried himself in work and did his best to emotionally be there for me. My temperament changed and I felt that those around me could not understand my pain because of my cheerful personality.  Due to COVID protocols, I had to go to my appointments alone and the anxiety of going through treatments, chemo, radiation was only mine.  I found when I shared my dark moments with those close to me, I would end up having to look after them and manage their emotions. I did not have the bandwidth for it and so learnt to manage things on my own or leaned on my girlfriends and another friend who was going through the same. Some relationships faded. Others became lifelines. Five steadfast friends – and their partners – rallied around me . They became my shield, my safety net, my steady ground. My children’s friends sent care packages, their handwritten notes carrying a warmth that reached places medicine couldn’t touch.    Even strangers stepped forward – my pharmacist, my hairdresser, my neighbors. Each one showing up as if the world itself had decided I wasn’t fighting alone. But I wasn’t just surviving. I was transforming.    I now mentor others through various organizations, helping them find strength in food, movement, and mindset. In the quiet moments, I remind them: “You are not alone.”   Cancer forces you to meet yourself. All your fears. All your strengths. Every limit, every possibility. All the love I received had to go somewhere. I couldn’t just absorb it; I needed to channel it. So I built “ ThrivedIT ”, a space for those touched by cancer. A sanctuary of raw stories, hard-earned wisdom, and defiant hope.  And if you’re walking that path – patient, caregiver, loved one – know this:  “You are stronger than you think.” “You do not have to do this alone.”  Connect with the author, Carol Moneiro: ithrivedIT@gmail.com www.thrivedIT.com Read More: Empowering Yourself: Questions to Ask Your Doctor After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis Why a Second Opinion Matters for Breast Cancer Permission to Feel: 10 Tips for Navigating Cancer and Treatments with Honesty and Humor Preparing for my Double Mastectomy and Assembling my Care Team Supporting Loved Ones with Breast Cancer: How to Offer Meaningful Help On the Podcast: Breast Cancer Conversations Breast Cancer Stopped My Life—Music and Meditation Helped Me Breathe Again Share your story, poetry, or art: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/submit-breast-cancer-story SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources & Support: Podcast Weekly Meetup s Free Events

Contact: Laura Carfang laura@survivingbreastcancer.org SurvivingBreastCancer.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BOSTON, MA  — SurvivingBreastCancer.org  was named among the recipients of new grants from the Gilead Foundation . Totaling over $3 million to 53 organizations, this financial commitment aims to support people affected by metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The Gilead Foundation’s initiative will increase support for MBC education, care accessibility, and support services. Healthcare systems are often unable to accommodate the MBC community’s need for holistic, patient-centered care. This grant from the Gilead Foundation validates the importance of community-based support systems in cancer care. Patients and caregivers alike in the SurvivingBreastCancer.org  community have expressed that education, navigation, and emotional support are vital components of living with MBC.  As a grant recipient, SurvivingBreastCancer.org  views this moment as an acknowledgement of the need for trust and lived experience in cancer care’s evolution. Community connection plays an essential role in navigating the most challenging aspects of post-diagnosis life. Financial support in this area is an empowering reminder that the sentiments of the MBC community are heard loud and clear. What This Investment Means for the Metastatic Breast Cancer Community While MBC treatments have advanced in recent years, more progress is needed. “The five-year relative survival rate for people with mBC is 29%, highlighting an urgent need for improved education and integrated support services to help patients navigate complex treatment decisions and improve outcomes,” the Gilead Foundation stated . Additionally, people living with MBC are far more than mere statistics, and survival rates fail to capture human experiences. These unique individuals face unimaginable challenges and side effects on a daily basis — all while attempting to traverse an often-discombobulating and fragmented healthcare system. With support from the Gilead Foundation, SurvivingBreastCancer.org  will expand and strengthen its metastatic breast cancer programming through a focused, multi-pronged approach designed to address the real-world challenges people face after diagnosis. Grant funding will be used to: Expand metastatic breast cancer-specific education  by developing accessible, evidence-informed content that helps individuals better understand treatment options, disease progression, and shared decision-making. Strengthen patient navigation and health literacy support , ensuring individuals living with MBC can more confidently interpret medical information, prepare for appointments, and advocate for their care. Increase access to emotional and psychosocial support , including peer connection opportunities and facilitated community spaces that reduce isolation and emotional burden. Advance culturally responsive and inclusive programming , with an emphasis on meeting individuals where they are and addressing disparities related to language, access, and health literacy. SurvivingBreastCancer.org ’s Role as a Trusted Community Partner Since 2017, SurvivingBreastCancer.org  has addressed the overlooked aspects of cancer care through patient-centered education and community-driven programming. The organization has become a trusted resource for the MBC community, with initiatives informed by lived experiences. By prioritizing the needs of those impacted by MBC — including patients, caregivers, and advocates — SurvivingBreastCancer.org ’s programs and educational resources are shaped by real people to address their challenges. These programs and support services continue to bridge the gap between clinical treatment and everyday life while remaining accessible, relevant, and compassionate.  “Investments like this grant from the Gilead Foundation move the field forward by validating community-based organizations as essential partners in cancer care,” said Laura Carfang, Ed.D., founder and executive director of SurvivingBreastCancer.org . “When we center the lived experiences of those impacted by metastatic breast cancer and invest in sustainable support systems, we don’t just improve care — we restore dignity, agency, and hope.” The Gilead Foundation’s recognition of SurvivingBreastCancer.org  also highlights the need to address disparities in access to information and support. Many individuals with MBC also face health literacy gaps, cultural and linguistic barriers, and limited access to trusted resources. SurvivingBreastCancer.org  remains committed to inclusive, accessible education that meets people where they are and reflects the diversity of experiences within the breast cancer community. Building Sustainable, Patient-Centered Metastatic Breast Cancer Care SurvivingBreastCancer.org  recognizes the Gilead Foundation’s commitment to advancing education, care, and support for people affected by metastatic breast cancer. As a grantee, SurvivingBreastCancer.org  will transform this investment into tangible educational resources and community-driven programming. This investment invites donors, partners, and media to recognize the vital role community-based organizations like SurvivingBreastCancer.org  play in strengthening cancer care. By investing in education and sustainable support models, this grant helps ensure that people living with metastatic breast cancer are not only surviving but are informed, supported, and empowered. Contact:  Laura Carfang  Founder and Executive Director laura@survivingbreastcancer.org www.survivingbreastcancer.org

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Meet the Team Medical Advisory Board Board of Directors Laura Carfang, M.A., Ed.D. William Laferriere, MBA Meghann Sweeney, J.D. Tony Carfang, MBA Laura Carfang, M.A., Ed.D. Chief Executive Officer, Founder, Board Member Laura@survivingbreastcancer.org William Laferriere, MBA Chief Visionary Officer & VP Business Development Founder, Board Member William@survivingbreastcancer.org Coming Soon Board Member Tony Carfang, MBA Board Member Coming Soon Board Member Dr. Amy Commander, MD Medical Director, Mass General Cancer Center-Waltham Director, Breast Oncology Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital Director, Lifestyle Medicine Dr. Rachel Jimenez, MD Dr. Rachel Jimenz,, MD Associate Program Director, Harvard Radiation Oncology Residency Program Dr. Jandie Posner Jandie Posner, DO FACS. board-certified surgeon Jefferson Health Our Incredible Team The hands on the ground making the dream work! Laura Carfang, is a founder, strategist, and cancer survivor with a Doctorate in Education. Her work bridges leadership, systems design, and patient-centered care, grounded in the belief that meaningful work is built through honesty, intention, and collective action Laura Carfang M.A.,E.d.D Chief Executive Officer, Founder, Board Member Laura@survivingbreastcancer.org Meghan serves as Executive Assistant and oversees publications at SurvivingBreastCancer.org, including our weekly community newsletter and blog. She is a survivor of triple negative breast cancer and is passionate about supporting the breast cancer community with creativity and compassion. Meghan holds a master's degree in French to English translation. In addition to her work at SBC, she works as a freelance translator and writer. Meghan McCallum Excecutive Assistant meghan@survivingbreastcancer.org Elisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Human Resources. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and plays a key role at SurvivingBreastCancer.org, where she offers Expressive Arts classes and oversees more than 400 programs each year. Her work focuses on creating supportive, inclusive spaces that foster connection, emotional expression, and meaningful engagement for the cancer community. Elisa Herrera Director of Programs and Events Director of Hispanic Outreach in Latin America elisa@survivingbreastcancer.org Itzel is a graphic design student with a strong passion for creativity and visual storytelling. She oversees social media and creates event graphics at SurvivingBreastCancer.org, bringing programs to life through thoughtful, engaging design. With a natural eye for aesthetics and a love for creative expression, she plays an essential role in shaping the organization’s visual presence and community connection. Itzel Herrera Social Media Coordinator @survivingbreastcancer.org Carl began working with SBC in August 2025 focusing mainly on search engine optimization. Since then, his scope of work has expanded to include outbound marketing operations and website development. Carl graduated from San Jose State University in 2023 with a B.S. in Marketing. He and his wife are now based in Sacramento, CA, working out of their home office alongside their clingy Welsh Springer Spaniel. Carl Roth Marketing, Communications & Growth Associate carl@survivingbreastcancer.org Brenda is an Industrial Engineer specializing in Supply Chain Management. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and serves as one of the leads for SBC’s Spanish-language programs through Después de un Diagnóstico. In this role, she is passionate about supporting and empowering Spanish-speaking communities by increasing access to education, resources, and culturally relevant support. Brenda Coronado Despues de un Diagnóstico brenda@survivingbreastcancer.org Coming Soon Lourdes Heras Despues de un Diagnóstico lourdes@survivingbreastcancer.org Our Instructors The hands and hearts creating space for healing. Our Early Stage volunteer Leadership Team Pooja Jain Julie Cottril l Meghan Staskal-Bradt Carol Collins Denise Whittaker Meghan Aycock Our MBC Volunteer Leadership Team Amy Russell-Parliman Kathleen Friel Claudia González Sheila Godreau Jo Lynn Collins

Meditation for Breast Cancer (On Demand) Visit our official YouTube meditation playlist! Live Classes: Multiple Dates Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing Jan 26, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST Online Event Each month, join us for a guided meditation exploring one of the Eightfold Path principles. Together, we’ll cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and resilience, one step at a time. Free and open to all. RSVP On Demand: Multiple Dates Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing Mon, Jan 26 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates SBC Well-Being Club: Finding Peace on the Buddha’s Eightfold Path Mon, Jan 26 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates Meditation Tuesday for Self-Care with Rohini Tue, Feb 03 Online Event More info RSVP Guided Hypnosis for Breast Cancer Thrivers & Caregivers Wed, Feb 04 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates Meditation Tuesday for Self-Care Tue, Mar 03 Online Event More info RSVP Multiple Dates Meditation Reflection The 8 Steps of Buddhism - A Path to Healing Mon, Oct 19 Online Event More info RSVP Looking for more ways to support your healing journey? View Programs REIKI Reiki is a gentle energy healing technique that reduces stress, eases pain, and supports emotional well-being—perfect for those on a healing journey. Watch Now Experience Healing Anytime 💫 We invite you to explore our prerecorded Reiki sessions—designed to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support your healing journey. Whether you're managing breast cancer or simply need a moment of peace, these gentle energy practices are here for you, anytime, anywhere.