When Nichole Kutmas found a lump the size of a pencil eraser, breast cancer was the last thing on her mind. It was May 2013, and Nichole had just celebrated her 32nd birthday. She had two young daughters.
For a man, the average lifetime risk of breast cancer is approximately 1 in 726, according to the American Cancer Society. When men are diagnosed, there’s often nowhere to turn for support. ABCD’s male Mentors want to change that. Kurt’s Story In the past, Kurt DeAngelis described himself as “one…
Artelia’s experience with breast cancer is one of courage, resilience, and unwavering self-advocacy. It began with several heartbreaking miscarriages in her early thirties, followed by a troubling discharge from her breasts. Despite being dismissed by doctors who said she was too young for a mammogram, Artelia refused to ignore the…
Kimberly Pagano grew up in southern California, alongside her fraternal twin sister, where the two were enrolled in karate classes at a young age to learn self-defense. “It set the stage for who I am today and gave me confidence in different aspects of life,” Kimberly, who goes by Kim,…
ABCD’s first Latina Mentor, Maria Nieves – a single mother, has lived with breast cancer for the last thirteen years. Her faith in God and ABCD have helped her through the times when the battle was not easy and giving up became her reality.
“The world came crashing down,” is how Angie* remembers the moment she learned she had metastatic breast cancer. It was February 2016. Angie, then 41 years old, had always been healthy. But after Angie experienced back and rib pain, her doctor ordered imaging. When the CT scan showed lesions in…
Concern over breast cancer awareness being limited to the month of October, resulted in a ten-year partnership between ABCD and the Marcus Corporation. Tim Smith, talks about their role in helping to build ABCD’s awareness and how important it is for someone going through breast cancer to have someone who…
ABCD provides holistic care that medical providers cannot offer. Working as a complement to healthcare providers, MSW, Leanne Walz, discusses the value of having someone there who truly understands at this most vulnerable time in the life of someone who is dealing with breast cancer.
Nine years ago, Linda Settler received a life-altering diagnosis: stage 1A breast cancer. However, unlike many others, she had already mentally prepared for this diagnosis. Growing up with the knowledge that her maternal grandmother had also faced breast cancer, Linda always knew it was a matter of when, not if,…
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ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
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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.