ABCD: AFTER BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS MARKS 26 YEARS OF PROVIDING FREE, PERSONALIZED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT WITH RELEASE OF POWERFUL NEW VIDEO
The video brings awareness to the value of emotional support for breast cancer patients and survivors amid a 40% increase in demand for ABCD’s services.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Megan Brown, CAE at megan@abcdmentor.org or (414) 690-1893
Milwaukee, WI (June 16, 2025) – ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis is marking 26 years of delivering free, virtual, personalized emotional support to anyone impacted by breast cancer with the launch of a compelling awareness video that highlights real people telling authentic stories, emphasizing the impact of the one-to-one connections at the heart of ABCD’s services.
The video — that can be watched here — features interviews with:
- Megan Brown, a Participant who used ABCD’s services when a breast cancer diagnosis at age 39 left her feeling isolated, lost, and needing to connect with someone who truly understood what she was experiencing.
- Jaclyn Dillon, who longed for emotional support after her breast cancer diagnosis at age 40 and was inspired to become an ABCD Mentor to help other breast cancer patients like her feel heard and supported.
- ABCD Executive Director Ellen Friebert Schupper, who describes what makes ABCD’s customized matching between a Participant in need of support and a trained volunteer Mentor with a similar lived experience so unique.
“Megan and Jaclyn’s stories are a powerful reminder that emotional support isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a vital complement to the medical care anyone facing breast cancer receives. Their experiences bring ABCD’s mission to life, showing how one-to-one, experience-based support can provide clarity, comfort, and the profound reassurance that no one is alone,” says Friebert Schupper.
A version of the video will also be featured in a segment for “Empowered Hosted by Meg Ryan” that will air on over 170 participating Public Television stations throughout the U.S. for the next year. The exposure is estimated to reach millions of viewers, introducing the importance of emotional support to a wider audience at a time when the need and demand for it is increasing.
ABCD’s Growth Over 26 Years Reflects Surging Need
ABCD has provided emotional support to more than 111,000 people across the country and beyond since it was founded on June 15, 1999 by the late Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist Melodie Wilson Oldenburg. And now, ABCD’s 26th anniversary and video launch coincide with a 40% increase in demand for its services compared to last year at this time. To meet this growing need, ABCD has a community of 285+ diverse volunteer Mentors who have completed treatment (survivors), are at high risk for developing breast cancer (previvors), are living with metastatic disease/stage 4 (thrivers), or family or friends who have supported a breast cancer patient (caregiver).
“Our continued growth isn’t just a milestone — it’s a call to action to reach even more people with the individualized peer support that continues to be the foundation of ABCD’s services,” adds Billie Jean Smith, ABCD Board President.
One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, making it one of the most common cancers among women. Emotional support after diagnosis is critical — it can reduce anxiety, improve quality of life, and help individuals navigate the physical and emotional challenges of treatment and recovery.
About ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Founded in 1999, ABCD’s mission is to inspire hope and transform lives by providing FREE, personalized emotional support to anyone impacted by breast cancer, anywhere, at any stage. As a complement to medical care, we match people with a trained volunteer Mentor who has a similar lived experience, providing compassionate support based on diagnosis, treatment, age, and lifestyle. With a fully virtual platform, ABCD helps people worldwide, ensuring no one faces breast cancer alone. To request a Mentor, visit ABCDBreastCancerSupport.org/get-support, email info@abcdmentor.org, or call 1-800-977-4121.
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