Breast Cancer 1 to 1 with Firefly Sisterhood

A breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can be traumatic. So much so that healing requires the help of a professional. Molly DePrekel, a licensed therapist, shares her work with animal-assisted therapy, while Monica Anderson, a Firefly Guide, shares her story of healing through her experience with equine (horse) therapy.

We’d like to share the story of two women who were matched through Firefly. Jeni (a Firefly Sister) describes how her first in-person meeting with Amy (her Firefly Guide) felt like a first date, including some nervousness! She didn’t need to worry as this match has progressed through the mutual sharing of cancer pet peeves, concerns about their teenagers, changing relationships with their spouses, and shared passion for causes.

We love this time of year when our namesake – the firefly – can be spotted and, if you’re lucky, captured, for up-close viewing and wonderment. Today’s guest is one of our fireflies that we’ve caught in action. She’s had her breast cancer recur twice, and she’s turned her experience into action as a Firefly Guide and Firefly Board member.

From her hospice bed, Judy shares her story and her passion - advocacy - for Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC). With the help of Team Judy (friends, family, and community members), several researchers at the University fo Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center have received direct financial support for their work in MBC.

Firefly Sisterhood was started in 2014 by a group of employees at Yoplait during a workplace competition. Erica Jensen, one of the original Firefly Sisterhood conceptualizers, Kris Newcomer, the Executive Director, and the Firefly Board of Directors share the “birth story” of Firefly Sisterhood.