My Social Security Story

Advocacy, Education, General, Research, Updates

My name is Olivia, and on November 30, 2020, at 27 years old, I was diagnosed with HER2+ stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) with bone metastasis—just after having my baby boy. Soon after starting treatment, I learned that IBC qualifies for Social Security...

Finding Meaning in Hospitality: Reflections from a Retreat Talk

Advocacy, General

(Terry Arnold, Sunday, January 19, 2025) Happy Sunday, everyone! I’d like to share an incredible experience I had recently that was both exciting and meaningful. It all began back in October when I gave a series of talks for a group called Cross Creek West, the same...

Your voice is crucial.

Advocacy, Education

I receive messages like this every single day, and it breaks my heart. Often, we—along with well-meaning doctors—search for reasonable explanations for why a breast is swollen, even if our intentions aren’t harmful. For cat owners, it’s not uncommon to get scratched....

If I was in charge of October…

Education, General

Expanding Breast Cancer Awareness: Addressing Gaps in Education Traditional breast cancer awareness campaigns have undoubtedly saved lives. For instance, many women have credited a campaign they saw in October with teaching them how to perform a self-exam, which led...

The Dividing Line That is October

General

October, a month traditionally dedicated to breast cancer awareness, often feels like a sea of pink, symbolizing solidarity and hope. However, within the breast cancer community itself, this pink wave can be polarizing. While the goal was to bring awareness, the...