November Trailblazer and A Dash of Joy

Welcome to the Trailblazer of the month. We are excited to share the great work of Unite for HER , national nonprofit out of the City of Brotherly Love. Our early stage BC ally Sue Weldon, CEO and Founder, joins hosts Victoria Goldberg and Dar Finkelstein to talk about her cancer story, how the idea of Unite for HER came to be, and how COVID changed the business model and the scope of the organization.

The mission of Unite for HER is to enrich the health and well-being of those diagnosed with breast – for life – by funding and delivering integrative therapies.

When Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. At first Like many of us  she did not believe her diagnosis. She was  39-years-old with 3 little kids. She was too young and too healthy to have this disease, but, of course, there was no mistake. As she began searching for information on therapies that would complement the medical treatments she was receiving, she discovered a lack of easily accessible resources on topics like nutrition, acupuncture, massage, yoga, counseling and other ways for breast cancer patients to enhance their wellness and care for their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs. She decided to make a difference. In 2009 she launched a nonprofit Unite for HER and that’s the beginning of her story.

Breast and ovarian cancer patients throughout the United States are eligible to receive free integrative therapies and resources through the Unite for HER Wellness Program thanks to a new national expansion of the program.

The Unite for HER (UFH) Wellness Program is available to those diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer in the last 18 months, as well as for those living with metastatic breast cancer or recurrent ovarian cancer, renewing services for life. All patients in the Wellness Program receive a HER care box containing educational resources, healthy products, and a passport valid for one year and $2,000 of integrative therapies, including professional counseling, nutritional counseling, meal delivery services, virtual fitness and yoga classes, sexual health counseling, and meditation. Patients living with metastatic breast cancer or recurrent ovarian cancer are eligible for $2,000 of services every six months. Upon receipt of their care box, patients are invited to attend a virtual wellness retreat to learn about integrative therapies, meet care providers, and craft a personal integrative care plan.

“We are honored to be able to offer this impactful program to those with breast and ovarian cancers across the country,” said Susan Weldon, founder and CEO of Unite for HER. “We’ve seen how integrative therapies like professional counseling, meditation and yoga, supportive fitness programs, and nutrition can transform patients’ lives through our work in the Philadelphia region.

The pandemic required us to adapt our operations, programming, and delivery model, which actually allowed us to grow. It is our goal to empower every person through their treatment and beyond, and this expansion is the first step.”

“Our focus with this launch is to prioritize and provide critical access to integrative therapies to women of color,” said Weldon. “Knowing that the risk of developing metastases is higher for black women than white women, we hope to lean in and become a trusted resource to help resolve the health inequities in the Black and Hispanic communities.”

Cancer Care Packages by Unite for HER

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it is difficult to know how to help. There is no instruction guide on how to provide support during a challenging time.

HER care box makes the ideal gift for someone with breast or ovarian cancer, or if you want to send the perfect mastectomy care package to a loved one.

Developed by Unite for HER's team of medical and wellness professionals, each care package is designed to educate and empower patients at any stage of treatment. Each care box contains a range of self-care items carefully curated by our medical and wellness advisors. These items promote healing and confidence and will help empower HER emotional and physical well-being during treatment and beyond. Each package includes the perfect comfort gifts for chemo patients or that special person going through chemo and radiation.