This October, Aveda Institute Chicago is once again hosting its Catwalk for a Cause Fashion Show benefiting ABCD. Join us October 24 from 6:30–9 PM CT for an uplifting evening showcasing the talents of Aveda Institute Chicago students and featuring ABCD Mentors on the runway — always the highlight of the show! Come enjoy a […]
For years, Keeshia Jones had regular mammograms without any sign of a problem. But in July 2018, her screening mammogram revealed something suspicious. After more testing, Keeshia learned she had breast cancer. As a longtime volunteer for the Jane Cremer Foundation, a southeastern Wisconsin organization promoting awareness of cancer and…
When a loved one has breast cancer, family members and friends are affected as well. Kelli Krcma remembers supporting her sister, Kerry Claas, following Kerry’s diagnosis in 2001. Kerry was just 30 years old when she learned she had inflammatory breast cancer, a rare form of the disease that makes…
Growing up in the Midwestern college town of Bloomington, Indiana, Ash Davidson (he/they) describes himself as “identifiably queer” from an early age. He had supportive parents who encouraged him to follow his own path, even when they didn’t always fully understand it. But the path that led Ash to pursue…
Donna King’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome, a genetic disorder that made her more susceptible to developing various types of cancer. Having dealt with bladder cancer previously, she was devastated to face yet another challenge in 2023: invasive ductal carcinoma, a form of…
In her job as a healthcare financial navigator, Shironda Goree works directly with cancer patients, helping them understand insurance options, financial responsibilities, and access to care. It’s work that’s deeply personal. “It’s very rewarding,” Shironda says, “because I have my own experience, I’m able to help guide them.” Long before…
When Lori Petitti found out she had breast cancer, she felt overwhelmed. “My doctor seemed to be in a rush to make me do surgery and treatment,” says Lori, who was diagnosed in 2010. “I had so many questions that they weren’t answering.” As she processed the news, Lori attended…
After learning that her biopsy showed cancer and hearing her surgeon’s recommendation for a lumpectomy followed by radiation, Jan Lindemann was scared. Jan had experienced side effects from radiation in the past, suffering several health problems as a result. Although Jan understood that radiation techniques had improved over the years,…
Mimi Nieves was used to being in control. A single mother with three young children, she worked full-time and always kept her household – and her life – running smoothly. As a member of the Latino community, and the youngest of eleven siblings, Mimi greatly valued her independence and her…
When Jennifer Kinkade, who goes by Jenn, moved from Florida to Wisconsin with her husband in the summer of 2022, she was beginning a new chapter. An occupational therapist, Jenn had accepted a full-time faculty position at a university in Milwaukee. Alongside teaching, she also runs a private practice that…
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We are an inclusive organization
ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
ABCD does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
ABCD does not provide medical advice, make diagnoses, or offer treatment options.
ABCD staff and volunteer Mentors are not licensed mental health professionals, therapists, social workers, or psychologists. They do not provide medical, therapeutic, or clinical advice. ABCD’s services are intended solely to offer peer-based emotional support and shared understanding through personal experience. If you need immediate mental health services, please reach out to your medical team or the National Hotline For Mental Health Crises And Suicide Prevention by dialing 988 on your phone.