Living Beyond Breast Cancer

I was never much of a group joiner before I became a breast cancer survivor….and certainly never attended ANY kind of convention on an annual basis. Fast forward 5 years from my diagnosis, and I haven’t missed one Living Beyond Breast Cancer convention. I’ve been to every one of Triple Negative Breast Cancer’s Peace, Love & A Cure galas.

Why you ask? Because I discovered a sisterhood, a tribe, a community, whatever you want to call it. It’s just a love thing. Look, there’s certainly nothing fun about getting breast cancer. But when you get a bunch of us in one room, the support and energy are unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced.

First Stop, LBBC’s Shimmer & Shine

Last Friday, I picked my 16 year-old daughter Maya up from school early. We needed to load into the vendor room by 5 pm. Living Beyond Breast Cancer has a convention each year. They always kick it off on a Friday night with their Shimmer & Shine event. Sort of like a cocktail party fashion/beauty vendors, non-profit organizations, etc. It’s a feel good party. An opportunity to meet some of the other attendees and panelists.

So proud of my daughter, Maya for joining me at the convention this year! 

The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation had an amazing booth there, complete pink satin boxing robes and matching gloves. With a sign that said, “Nobody Ever Fights Alone.”

They invited me to participate this year, so I created these really cute nail files as a giveaway item and sold my very first Cancer Fashionista branded totes (I donated 100% of profits to TNBC).

Chiara D’Agostino (aka @beautythroughthebeast), me and Ricki Fairley

It was extraordinary, to be able to speak with women who are just starting treatment and let them know that they too will get through this. And to watch my daughter Maya speak to attendees too…well that just blew me away. So proud of her.

Then…Onto The Big Apple!

In the blink of an eye, Shimmer & Shine was a wrap, and Maya and I had the car packed for NYC. The Cancer Wellness Expo made it’s very first debut, and it took place at the gorgeous Urban Zen. Caitlin Kiernan (Beauty Director for Star and OK! Magazines), Cynthia Besteman (Founder of Violets Are Blue) and Leah and Sarah Kelly (Sisters and Founders of Salty Girl Beauty) were the masterminds behind this fun-filled day of breast cancer related education, beautifying, and relaxation.

There was a very robust lineup up of panel discussions, and I love that they addressed the whole woman. From nutrition and sex to fashion and beauty, they left no stone unturned in my book. I can’t wait to see what they do next year!