Empowering the Cancer Community: A Q&A with Allie Brumel, COO & Co-Founder of The Breasties
At Portt, we believe in the power of connection, support, and showing up for each other through every stage of the cancer journey. That’s why we’re so excited to sit down with Allie Brummel, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of The Breasties, a nonprofit dedicated to building community for survivors, previvors, and thrivers affected by breast and gynecologic cancers.
As a passionate advocate and leader, Allie has played a pivotal role in shaping The Breasties into a movement that goes beyond awareness—it’s about action, support, and making sure no one feels alone. In this Q&A, she shares insights into her work, the mission behind The Breasties, and how community can be a game-changer when navigating a diagnosis.
Let’s dive in!
Can you share a bit about your personal connection to breast and gynecologic cancers?
The Breasties’ leadership (and full team!) is all directly impacted by breast and/or gynecologic cancer in different ways. Allie, diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at 28, discovered Paige’s Instagram post about recovery after her preventative mastectomy at 24. Around the same time, Trish was navigating her diagnosis while advocating for support as a Black woman, and Bri was grappling with her own risk after losing her mom young and receiving inconclusive genetic testing. Social media brought us together, despite our different diagnoses—and it changed everything.
What inspired you to co-found The Breasties, and what was the journey like in turning it into the thriving organization it is today?
The Breasties story begins in 2017 when our team, impacted by breast or gynecologic cancer in different ways, each struggled to find the support we needed. Existing spaces felt unwelcoming, dividing us by diagnosis, age, stage, and background.
We envisioned a space that embraced all experiences—a community we wished had existed when we were diagnosed. A space for survivors, previvors, stage 4 thrivers, and caregivers alike.
We started hosting small local events in New York, and eventually hosted our first retreat with 25 people across diagnoses, and the response was overwhelming. Hundreds reached out, asking for more ways to be a part of the community. We knew we had to do more. In 2018, The Breasties became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Since then, we’ve worked to meet the evolving needs of this community— and have expanded our mission to support and improve the experiences of the cancer community through education, peer-to-peer connection, and advocacy.
What challenges did you face while building The Breasties, and how did you overcome them?
Building The Breasties came with many challenges, from securing funding and resources to creating an inclusive space that truly served the needs of a diverse community. In the beginning, we were entirely grassroots—balancing full-time jobs while pouring our hearts into building this movement with little financial support.
One of the biggest hurdles was ensuring that The Breasties remained accessible and inclusive. We knew existing support spaces often excluded certain groups based on diagnosis, background, or financial barriers, and we were determined to change that. To overcome this, we embedded DEI principles into our mission from day one, formed a dedicated DEI Committee, and created barrier-free access to programs, offering free resources, scholarships, and financial grants.
Another challenge was navigating the nonprofit world with no prior experience. We learned through trial and error, sought mentorship, and leaned on our community for guidance. Passion and persistence kept us going, and we built something bigger than we ever imagined—proof that grassroots efforts can drive real change.
The Breasties focuses on inclusivity—how do you ensure that all individuals impacted by cancer feel welcomed and supported?
The Breasties is dedicated to addressing disparities in cancer care, representation, and support, ensuring underrepresented groups feel included, safe, and supported. DEI is embedded in The Breasties mission, leadership, and programming, with a dedicated DEI Committee advocating for diverse communities.
The Breasties prioritizes equity, organizing subcommittees for various heritage groups, LGBTQ+, Stage 4, and accessibility. We have also developed a unique social justice training program on equity through the lens of cancer and trauma-informed care—mandatory for team members and volunteers.
Committed to accessibility, The Breasties provides free resources, financial grants, and scholarships to marginalized groups while enforcing a strict code of conduct to uphold the safety and well-being of marginalized groups in the community.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of building this community for survivors, previvors, thrivers, and caregivers?
The most rewarding aspect of building The Breasties community has been witnessing the profound connections and support that form across individuals of all diagnoses . Seeing friendships develop, advocacy efforts make real change, and individuals feel empowered to navigate their diagnoses with confidence and community is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
How does The Breasties collaborate with healthcare providers and other organizations to create awareness and support?
The Breasties serves a unique and unifying role in the cancer space, fostering meaningful partnerships to better support those impacted by breast and gynecologic cancers. Through collaborations with advocacy organizations, medical professionals, and corporations, we work to address gaps in education, support and research.
What role do social media and storytelling play in the mission of The Breasties?
Social media and storytelling are essential to The Breasties' mission. By sharing personal stories, The Breasties amplify diverse experiences, break stigmas, and provide a sense of community for those impacted by breast and gynecologic cancers. Social media serves as a powerful tool for education, advocacy, and community-building, allowing The Breasties to make resources accessible, mobilize support for policy changes, and highlight important issues in women’s health.
Can you share an example of a Breasties event or retreat that had a profound impact on attendees?
The best way to share the impact of The Breasties’ programs is through Breastie testimonials!
"I felt alone through my journey. Diagnosis. Surgeries. Treatments. Anniversaries. I have an incredible support system of friends and family but I still had a void that I couldn't figure out. Once I signed up for camp; joined the app and then came to camp. It was like my heart was complete. I have NEVER felt so free, so weightless, so seen and understood. I met so many people. I made so many friends that I felt like I knew my entire life. People that say breastie magic and life changing are NOT under selling. It's indescribable"
"Camp Breastie was an amazing experience for me. It was an experience that I did not know that I needed. I was so nervous going in as cancer is hard to think about and discuss and sometimes a topic that I would rather avoid. Camp was anything but triggering or negative, the positive energy and support outweighed any negativity. The camp made me feel seen and understood, I have not felt this connected with others going through similar situations since my diagnosis. I am missing that connectivity now and it makes me want to be more involved and I can't wait for next year!"
"Years of therapy, tons of meditation, diets, exercise - all of this self work felt moot, until Camp Breastie ignited it! Camp Breastie made me love myself, my scars, my body, my mind, my heart and of course my breasties."
"I had the most wonderful time. I have been following the breasties since the early days and idk why I never went to an event before. It was truly life changing. I don’t know how the leadership team did it but I felt like every worry I have in my day to day disappeared once I was at camp. I never thought about what bills I had to pay or anything along those lines. I wish I could bottle up the joy I felt and feel it every day. I am so happy I went and I can’t wait to go back next year!"
"My cup is OVERFLOWING. Coming home with the knowledge that my community is always there for me, I can fearlessly make changes in my life that I know will lead me to more happiness. Just knowing you have community frees your heart and mind to follow your true desires in such a palpable way. It’s the freedom to be who you are, not who the people who knew you before cancer expect you to be. I am switching careers, probably moving, going back to school."
"This was my first time talking so openly about my ovarian cancer diagnosis. But at Camp Breastie, I felt accepted, open, and encouraged to tell my story. This was such a life changing experience and my cup was filled when I left. I felt stronger, lighter, and ready to be more open about my journey."
What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed or to those who feel isolated in their journey?
We want everyone to know that you do not have to go through this alone, there is a community of Breasties here for you!
How does The Breasties support caregivers, and why is their role so important in the cancer journey?
The Breasties recognize the vital role caregivers play in the cancer journey and invite caregivers to our spaces to ensure they feel seen, valued, and equipped to navigate their loved one’s diagnosis. Through community events, digital resources, and shared storytelling, The Breasties create a space where caregivers can also connect, learn, and find emotional support.
How do you approach the unique needs of stage 4 thrivers within the community?
The Breasties are deeply committed to supporting Stage 4 Thrivers by providing protected virtual and in-person spaces tailored to their unique needs. Through The Breasties App and in-person events, we offer specialized programming, meetups, and digital resources that honor the experiences of the Stage 4 Thriver community. Additionally, The Breasties amplify Thriver voices through storytelling and advocacy efforts, ensuring their perspectives are heard, valued, and drive meaningful change.
If you could change one thing about the way society views breast and gynecologic cancers, what would it be?
If we could change one thing about the way society views breast and gynecologic cancers, it would be shifting the focus from just awareness to meaningful action and support. While raising awareness is important, there needs to be greater emphasis on access to care, financial support, research funding, and systemic change that directly impacts those affected. Cancer is not just a pink ribbon or a single month of recognition—it’s a lifelong journey that requires continuous advocacy, resources, and community support. By fostering a deeper understanding of the realities of these diagnoses, we can push for real change that improves the lives of previvors, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers.
How can people get involved with The Breasties, whether as a member, volunteer, or supporter?
Anyone impacted by breast or gynecologic cancers—whether a survivor, previvor, thriver, or supporter—can be a part of the community. If you are want to learn more about our programming, opportunities to volunteer, or ways to support our mission reach out to us directly at hello@thebreasties.org or via social media @the_breasties.
Allie’s passion for community and advocacy is a powerful reminder that no one has to navigate cancer alone. Through The Breasties, she and her team are creating spaces for survivors, thrivers, and previvors to find connection, support, and strength in one another.
At Portt, we share that same mission—to uplift and empower those facing a diagnosis, one conversation and one meaningful connection at a time. We’re so grateful to Allie for sharing her insights and for the incredible work she does to make the cancer community a little brighter.
Want to learn more? Visit The Breasties to explore their resources, events, and ways to get involved. And stay tuned for more conversations with changemakers who are redefining what it means to thrive.