If you’re a breast cancer patient or caregiver seeking a one-stop-shopping resource, then look no further! Meet my friend Virginia Carnesale, founder and CEO of Stage. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, Virginia realized there was a significant lack of products designed to help cancer patients look and feel their best.  In 2022, she launched ShopStage.co, a mission-driven marketplace offering everything from expert interviews to stylish, treatment-tested products. On...

On National Clinical Trials Day, we're joined by my dear friend Ricki Fairley. She’s the founder of Touch, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, and a 13-year triple-negative breast cancer survivor.  Ricki shares her journey, highlighting disparities faced by Black women in breast cancer care. We discuss the vital need for inclusivity in clinical trials, stressing their importance for everyone.  

As part of my special podcast series, “Your Voice. Your Health.” focusing on step therapy, we're joined by Maxine Miller, a dedicated advocate and Coordinator of Policy & Advocacy at Cancer Support Community.  With a strong commitment to championing equity and access in healthcare, economics, and society, Maxine shares some advocacy efforts as well as groundbreaking research shedding light on the detrimental effects of step therapy protocols on patient health and well-being. Thank you to...

In this episode of "Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful,”  I have the pleasure of introducing you to Y, the compassionate force behind the Women's Hair Loss Project. Join us as Y shares her personal journey through hair loss, shedding light on all of the emotional complexities that come with it.  With 17 years of dedication to empowering women, Y offers invaluable insights into reclaiming femininity and confidence despite the challenges of hair loss.  From practical advice on wig shopping to...

Meet my new friend Ali, the founder of Lost and Found Tattoo in Cranford, NJ. In this episode of "Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful,” we’re going to delve into Ali's journey as a tattoo artist specializing in both illustrative designs as well as nipple and areola tattooing for breast cancer survivors. Join us as we uncover Ali's passion for empowering women through her art and gain valuable insights into finding inspiration for meaningful tattoo designs. Whether you're considering a nipple tattoo...

Join me and Dr. David Charles, Chief Medical Officer of the Alliance for Patient Access and a distinguished neurologist, for a dynamic discussion. In this episode, Dr. Charles sheds light on step therapy, fail-first protocols, and care pathways, revealing their impact on patient care. Explore how the Alliance champions patient education and advocates for healthcare policy improvements. Tune in to delve into the intersection of patient advocacy and healthcare reform with Dr. Charles and the...

Join me and my incredible friend, celebrity hairstylist Chelsey, for an intimate conversation about navigating life with metastatic breast cancer. Discover her powerful journey of resilience, creativity, and finding purpose beyond the salon chair. This episode offers inspiring insights into living life to the fullest, despite the challenges we face. Tune in for a heartfelt exploration of courage, community, and embracing every moment.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Amy, cancer survivor and creator of the Cancer Freedom Program. With over 13 years of clinical experience, Dr. Amy shares practical strategies for coping with weight gain and exhaustion post-cancer diagnosis. Discover evidence-based approaches to reclaiming energy and vitality as Dr. Amy dispels common myths and offers empowering insights. Tune in for actionable tips on navigating life beyond cancer with hope and resilience.

Meet my new friend Alan Balch! Alan is the CEO of Patient Advocate Foundation and National Patient Advocate Foundation which provides patient services, eliminating obstacles in access to quality healthcare.    Alan has over 20 years of executive leadership in the non-profit sector spanning multiple advocacy areas including access and affordability, health equity, prevention and early detection, and cancer research. As part of my special podcast series, “Your Voice. Your Health.” focusing on...

I’m so excited to have my dear friend and TNBC sister, Chance Osborne here with us today. We met through our advocacy work and I smile every time I hear her name - and now you will too! At the young age of 24, Chance received a stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, all while carrying the weight of a family history of cancer and the BRCA1 gene mutation. This aggressive form of breast cancer presented her with daunting challenges, from enduring the grueling side effects of...

Join me in this special episode as I mark my 11-year cancerversary by reflecting on the twists and turns of my journey, and how it's shaped my beauty and fashion routines.   I'll open up about the emotional and physical challenges I've faced, from diagnosis to treatment, and share the lessons I've learned along the way. Through it all, resilience and positivity have been my guiding lights.   I'll discuss the adjustments I've made to my beauty routines due to treatment, and how I've found...

Introducing my dear friend and TNBC sister, Lorelei Colbert. We met through our advocacy work with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation and her beautiful glow and energy are absolutely infectious!   At the young age of 28, Lorelei was diagnosed with TNBC, a direct result of going for a very routine doctor visit for a physical so she and her husband could move abroad on military orders. Her inquiry about birth control led to a breast exam that would change her entire life.   Join...

Meet my new friend Leslie Yerger! Leslie is the Founder and CEO of My Density Matters, which empowers people to find out their breast density, learn their screening options, and insist on essential additional screening. Today happens to be the annual, “Find Out My Breast Density Day,” so what a perfect time to learn what breast density is, and the importance of knowing your breast density - whether you’ve had breast cancer or not. We’re also going to hear Leslie’s incredible story, her “why”...

Meet one of my dearest friends, Katrina M. Johnson! Katrina is the US Director of Advocacy & Professional Relations for Pfizer Oncology as well as a three-time breast and two-time melanoma cancer survivor. Katrina and I met through our advocacy work but I feel like I’ve known Katrina FOREVER and I’m sure you will too!  Katrina is also a triple negative breast cancer survivor and the Mom of 2 amazing young adults. We talk about everything. Recently we've had some very real and emotional...

Introducing my wonderful friend and fellow TNBC sister, Tiffany Clifton-Reed! Tiffany is not only a courageous breast cancer thriver and advocate, but also brings extensive experience as an authorization coordinator. I invited Tiffany to be a guest on this episode of "Your Voice. Your Health." to discuss step therapy through the lense of her invaluable perspective. With her dual background as a breast cancer survivor and a professional in the prior authorization field, Tiffany shares her...

You won’t want to miss this episode! Meet my new friend Irene Benson, the Chief Development Officer of the, “Know Your Lemons Foundation.” Irene is obsessed with saving lives from breast cancer through creative education that leads to early detection. She’s got an award-winning app, is responsible for self-breast exam educational campaign materials in 34 languages, and is the lead on a global educator program with over 800 educators teaching breast health in over 60 countries.  Tune in to...

Introducing my dear friend Ramy! He’s a celebrity makeup artist, Founder of Ramy Cosmetics, cancer survivor and eyebrow MASTER! Ramy has worked with major celebs including Taylor Swift and Rihanna. He opened his New York City salon in 2004, and has since launched his own brand of cosmetics. His gift for eyebrow shaping has been featured in the pages of top magazines, including Vogue, Allure, InStyle, Lucky, and People, as well as major TV shows including the Today Show and Rachael Ray. If...

Dr. Monique Gary aka  “Dr. Mo” is a breast surgeon, educator, entrepreneur, media personality, farmer, and philanthropist. Dr. Mo currently serves as the Medical Director of the Grand View Health/Penn Cancer Network cancer program, where she also serves as director of the breast program. Tune in for this important conversation to learn about her career path, as well as the “golden nuggets” and most important takeaways from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, otherwise known as SABCS.

Join us for the latest installment of the, "Your Voice. Your Health." series as we delve into crucial insights with Courtney Savage, the visionary behind Savage Health Policy. In this episode, Courtney sheds light on step therapy, navigates the appeals process, and teaches us why it’s so important to really understand your health insurance policy. Tune in to discover the power of partnering with your doctor to overcome step therapy barriers!

Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode about advocacy with Matthew Zachary. He’s a well-known health advocate who’s passionate about putting the patient at the center of every conversation. Why? Because he is one. Diagnosed as a college senior with brain cancer 27 years ago, Matthew wasn't sure he'd make his next birthday. He’s a Founding Advisor to Google Health, Founder of the award-winning nonprofit, Stupid Cancer, Co-Founder and Chair of OffScrip Health, host of Out of Patients with...

I’m so happy to have my new friend Rosie Mangiarotti on the show! Rosie is the Founder & CEO of Perkies, a truly innovative undergarment brand that was born in a college course while she was attending Brown. Perkies offers up several amazing products which help so many of us in the breast cancer community feel beautiful and confident. Perkies Petals - one of my personal faves - is a premium, reusable nipple cover that comes in three shades of nude, and has been touted by  InStyle as the...

I'm so excited to have my amazing friend Dr. Alexea back on the show! She's a board certified internist, breast cancer thriver and a true beacon of light in our community. This episode is part of my special series, “Your Voice, Your Health.” and is designed to teach us all about step therapy.  Dr. Alexea shares her honest and first hand experience with step therapy as both a physician and a breast cancer survivor, as well as tactical ways to overcome these very frustrating obstacles. Thank...

Meet my dear friend Tracy Posner, an amazing previvor and founder of BRCA Strong. This unique non-profit organization offers education, information, support and advocacy for women who are uninsured or under-insured, by women who truly care. BRCA Strong is one-stop shopping! From pre-mastectomy care packages, gynecological care packages and post-mastectomy garments to prosthetics and other treatment necessities — all of this is provided at zero cost to the recipient! Tune in to this very...

Introducing my new friend, Claire L Paxman, who serves as the Brand Ambassador & Director of Global Training for Paxman Scalp Cooling. Listen to the amazing story about her mother’s chemotherapy-induced hair loss andhow it paved her path to her current position at Paxman Scalp Cooling. Claire is truly on a mission to help us preserve our hair and tells us everything we ever wanted to know about cold capping. What it is, how it works, if you’re a good candidate for it and so much more. Do...