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Writer's pictureSurviving Breast Cancer

Ilene Kaminski


Ilene loved writing, drawing, jewelry making, music, and all things vintage and antique. Reading and learning and laughing and singing and dancing and hiking and just meditating. A little gentle yoga and hikes in the Sierra foothills of California certainly keep things interesting. Equally as important she enjoyed guest blogging and writing for publications. Her cancerversary was on March 25th – diagnosed de novo – from the beginning – with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. I have lived 7 years beating the savage average mortality of 2-3 years. Ilene was forced into retirement at the age of 49 and started her blog, the Cancer Bus and a small Etsy business as well as completing healing circle training through Healing Circles Global. Ilene was a member of the metastatic breast cancer community and especially active on Twitter @ilenealizah. She was also a friend, sister, wife, stepmom, and cat mom to Simon.


Hear Ilene on our Podcast Breast Cancer Conversations


Read Ilene's Poetry


Read Ilene's Content on our SBC Blog

Healing Circles and Breast Cancer


Stay in Touch

If you have a memory, story, or photo you'd like to share, please email it to info@survivingbreastcancer.org and we will add it to this page.

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Recent Posts

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  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Did you know you have magical powers? We all can literally change our bodies through breath and movement. Experience this ancient practice and feel your own powers grow!
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Virtual
    Nov 18, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 18, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Únete a nuestro grupo de apoyo emocional dirigido por una experimentada psicóloga para recibir el apoyo necesario mientras enfrentas el desafío del cáncer. El diagnóstico de cáncer puede traer consigo una carga emocional abrumadora, y estamos aquí para ayudarte a transitar este camino.
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 19
    webinar
    Nov 19, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
    webinar
    Nov 19, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
    webinar
    Triage Cancer Conferences cover key tips to help navigate legal and practical issues, reduce the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis, and lower stress.
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 19
    Zoom
    Nov 19, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Zoom
    Nov 19, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Zoom
    Caregiver support groups for cancer patients provide a platform to explore ways of caring for a loved one while simultaneously receiving vital emotional and practical support for themselves.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 21
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 21
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Join us for our signature Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup! On the third Thursday of every month, we will have a special meeting for the MBC community. This space will be hosted by the incredible Psychologist Nancy Gaulin.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 25
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Join us for the REIKI Circle of Care, a transformative virtual session where energy knows no boundaries. Experience the power of distance Reiki as it flows through your Chakras, bringing balance and universal energy to your body, mind, and spirit.
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 26
    Online Event
    Nov 26, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 26, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Join Kim OBrien for guided Qi Gong class. A time-honored practice that utilizes breath, movement, and intention setting to promote health and equilibrium in the body.
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 26
    Virtual
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    ¡Únete con nosotros para nuestro exclusivo Evento Martes - después del diagnóstico en español!

Upcoming
events

  • Meditation Affirmations: Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
    Meditation Affirmations: Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Nov 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.
  • Restorative Yoga with Kate: Follow your Gut
    Restorative Yoga with Kate: Follow your Gut
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Nov 18, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 18, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Did you know you have magical powers? We all can literally change our bodies through breath and movement. Experience this ancient practice and feel your own powers grow!
  • Apoyo Emocional
    Apoyo Emocional
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 18
    Nov 18, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 18, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Únete a nuestro grupo de apoyo emocional dirigido por una experimentada psicóloga para recibir el apoyo necesario mientras enfrentas el desafío del cáncer. El diagnóstico de cáncer puede traer consigo una carga emocional abrumadora, y estamos aquí para ayudarte a transitar este camino.
  • Triage  Cancer: Tips on Accessing Care
    Triage  Cancer: Tips on Accessing Care
    Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 19
    Nov 19, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
    webinar
    Nov 19, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
    webinar
    Triage Cancer Conferences cover key tips to help navigate legal and practical issues, reduce the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis, and lower stress.
  • The Caregiver Huddle
    The Caregiver Huddle
    Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 19
    Nov 19, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Zoom
    Nov 19, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Zoom
    Caregiver support groups for cancer patients provide a platform to explore ways of caring for a loved one while simultaneously receiving vital emotional and practical support for themselves.
  • Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 21
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • MBC Support Group with Nancy Gaulin
    MBC Support Group with Nancy Gaulin
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 21
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Join us for our signature Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup! On the third Thursday of every month, we will have a special meeting for the MBC community. This space will be hosted by the incredible Psychologist Nancy Gaulin.

1

Surviving Breast Cancer provides breast cancer support, events, and webinars at no cost to you! Whether you are looking to gain more knowledge on a particular topic or meet up with other breast cancer survivors, we have something for everyone. 

2

Our standing appointment on Thursdays is for all stages. We also host specific breakout groups once a month for specific stages and subtypes such as Metastatic breast cancer, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer, etc. 

3

The Book Club meets the first Sunday of every month at 11 am ET. You are welcome to join each month or pick and choose your month based on your availability and the book we are reading. 

4

Through art, writing, and other creative modalities, we hold the power to manage our stress, make sense of our now, and relax into moments of stillness. 

5

Free, monthly, online classes in restorative yoga, yoga for breast cancer, and Zumba. 

6

Después de un Diagnóstico

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