This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Lauren Sauer & Tracy Stefak
offered in partnership with:
Healing Circles for Parents with Cancer is a peer led virtual support group for parents who are newly diagnosed, in active treatment or in survivorship who experiencing challenges with their role as a parent during their cancer journey. As this is a peer led support group the co-facilitators can best support parents who have children from 0-18 years old.
This group is not about giving advice (although facilitators will share resources after group and encourage this type of sharing outside of group). Instead it is about sharing our stories (the heart ache that comes from parenting with cancer) without judgment and listening with love. There will also be periodic in-person playdates for parents, partners and their kids in the DMV.
What is a Healing Circle?
Healing Circles bring together small numbers of people impacted by a condition or circumstance to share experiences and harvest collective wisdom. Healing Circles is a peer-led process by which people support each other through deep listening and shared learning. When working at its best, this collaborative conversation model leads to authentic and deep connectivity and can create wisdom and healing for participants.
Beginning in March 2024, the Healing Circle for Parents with Cancer meets Monthly on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 12:00-1:00pm ET.
About Lauren Sauer
Lauren Sauer is a two-time osteosarcoma cancer survivor first diagnosed in 2017 when her daughter was 22 months old, and diagnosed with a recurrence in 2022 when her daughter was 6 years old. Her daughter will be 8 in September. Lauren finished active treatment in September 2022. It took Lauren a long time after her active cancer treatment 2017-2018 to know that she was enough for her daughter during treatment and accept that her village parented her child during that time period. She says that she looks forward to the opportunity to accompany others on their journey as they deal with parent guilt and parent grief. She also looks forward to the opportunity to use Circles principles (creating safe spaces for people to share and be heard) to help facilitate this group. She looks forward to walking with you in your cancer journey.
About Tracy Stefak
Tracy Steffek was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2021 at four-months postpartum. Immediately after she completed treatment, she was subsequently diagnosed with a secondary cancer of the tongue in October 2023. Tracy completed three life altering surgeries and active head and neck cancer treatment in March 2023. Her experience with two different cancers back-to-back was eye opening because the support and resources varied greatly. Today, she is an advocate for stronger community-health systems coordination and transformation. Originally from New Jersey, Tracy currently lives with her husband, two daughters, grandmother, and two dogs in Virginia. She works full-time and serves on multiple boards and advisory committees, including Bright Spot Network’s Parent Advisory Board. She recognizes that healing from the emotional and medical trauma of cancer will be a lifelong journey, and as a co-facilitator, she looks forward to creating an authentic, non-judgemental space to cultivate shared connection.
In order to participate, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
with Mallory Day McDonagh
We are a demand-driven and patient-led in-person and online community support group for young women and men (diagnosed between the age of 18 – 45ish) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in the DC, MD, and VA area. We have created this group as a means of providing both a safe community support space for people with MBC, as well as peer-led and expert-led information on living with breast cancer. This group is new and independent of any established breast cancer organization, though we are are in complete gratitude to the Smith Center for hosting us.
We facilitate our group in a democratic and participatory manner; in essence, our group is your group! Interested new members, kindly contact programs@smithcenter.org for an informal intake before coming to your first meeting.
Beginning in April 2024, the group meetings alternate between the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6-7pm ET and the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10-11am ET. The group now meets on Zoom only.
Upcoming Dates:
- Saturday, May 18 (10-11am ET)
- Thursday, June 20 (6-7pm ET) (new date due to holiday)
- Saturday, July 20 (10-11am ET)
- Wednesday, August 21 (6-7pm ET)
- Saturday, September 21 (10-11am ET)
- Wednesday, October 16 (6-7pm ET)
- Saturday, November 16 (10-11am ET)
- Wednesday, December 18 (6-7pm ET)
About Mallory Day McDonagh
Hi! I’m Mallory and I live in SW Washington, DC with my husband and 2 cats. I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) at the age of 32 after my initial Stage IIB Triple Negative diagnosis a year prior. I found the Young Adults with MBC support group in those first desperate and terrifying weeks after my Stage IV diagnosis and though I was uncertain about engaging, the immediate welcome and powerful knowledge of the group grounded me. It has brought me comfort and confidence, while also teaching me about all aspects of this terrible disease. I’m thrilled to volunteer as the facilitator of this group and hope to continue navigating and supporting the unique challenges we face through the power of community.
Subscribe to her blog: Your Hot Cancer Friend
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Lisa Hahn
This healing circle is for people who are 45 and older who are living and thriving with Metastatic Breast Cancer. This peer-led circle will provide a safe place to connect, support and share with one another.
What is a Healing Circle?
Healing Circles bring together small numbers of people impacted by a condition or circumstance to share experiences and harvest collective wisdom. Healing Circles is a peer-led process by which people support each other through deep listening and shared learning. When working at its best, this collaborative conversation model leads to authentic and deep connectivity and can create wisdom and healing for participants.
This Healing Circle will meet Monthly on the 2nd Wednesday from 5:15-6:45pm ET.
About Lisa Hahn
Lisa Hahn was diagnosed with MBC de novo in the Fall of 2019. In addition to working full-time and attending doctor appointments, she is always looking for a new exercise class and tries to maintain a consistent yoga and pilates practice. Her background in the arts as a former ballet dancer and arts council program officer have given her a strong appreciation for the arts and she is a regular attendee at the Smith Center. She lives in Alexandria with her husband, two teenage boys and two cats and you can follow her on Instagram @dancingwithmbc
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Lauren Sauer & Tracy Stefak
offered in partnership with:
Healing Circles for Parents with Cancer is a peer led virtual support group for parents who are newly diagnosed, in active treatment or in survivorship who experiencing challenges with their role as a parent during their cancer journey. As this is a peer led support group the co-facilitators can best support parents who have children from 0-18 years old.
This group is not about giving advice (although facilitators will share resources after group and encourage this type of sharing outside of group). Instead it is about sharing our stories (the heart ache that comes from parenting with cancer) without judgment and listening with love. There will also be periodic in-person playdates for parents, partners and their kids in the DMV.
What is a Healing Circle?
Healing Circles bring together small numbers of people impacted by a condition or circumstance to share experiences and harvest collective wisdom. Healing Circles is a peer-led process by which people support each other through deep listening and shared learning. When working at its best, this collaborative conversation model leads to authentic and deep connectivity and can create wisdom and healing for participants.
Beginning in March 2024, the Healing Circle for Parents with Cancer meets Monthly on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 12:00-1:00pm ET.
About Lauren Sauer
Lauren Sauer is a two-time osteosarcoma cancer survivor first diagnosed in 2017 when her daughter was 22 months old, and diagnosed with a recurrence in 2022 when her daughter was 6 years old. Her daughter will be 8 in September. Lauren finished active treatment in September 2022. It took Lauren a long time after her active cancer treatment 2017-2018 to know that she was enough for her daughter during treatment and accept that her village parented her child during that time period. She says that she looks forward to the opportunity to accompany others on their journey as they deal with parent guilt and parent grief. She also looks forward to the opportunity to use Circles principles (creating safe spaces for people to share and be heard) to help facilitate this group. She looks forward to walking with you in your cancer journey.
About Tracy Stefak
Tracy Steffek was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2021 at four-months postpartum. Immediately after she completed treatment, she was subsequently diagnosed with a secondary cancer of the tongue in October 2023. Tracy completed three life altering surgeries and active head and neck cancer treatment in March 2023. Her experience with two different cancers back-to-back was eye opening because the support and resources varied greatly. Today, she is an advocate for stronger community-health systems coordination and transformation. Originally from New Jersey, Tracy currently lives with her husband, two daughters, grandmother, and two dogs in Virginia. She works full-time and serves on multiple boards and advisory committees, including Bright Spot Network’s Parent Advisory Board. She recognizes that healing from the emotional and medical trauma of cancer will be a lifelong journey, and as a co-facilitator, she looks forward to creating an authentic, non-judgemental space to cultivate shared connection.
In order to participate, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
with Mallory Day McDonagh
We are a demand-driven and patient-led in-person and online community support group for young women and men (diagnosed between the age of 18 – 45ish) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in the DC, MD, and VA area. We have created this group as a means of providing both a safe community support space for people with MBC, as well as peer-led and expert-led information on living with breast cancer. This group is new and independent of any established breast cancer organization, though we are are in complete gratitude to the Smith Center for hosting us.
We facilitate our group in a democratic and participatory manner; in essence, our group is your group! Interested new members, kindly contact programs@smithcenter.org for an informal intake before coming to your first meeting.
Beginning in April 2024, the group meetings alternate between the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 6-7pm ET and the 3rd Saturday of the month from 10-11am ET. The group now meets on Zoom only.
Upcoming Dates:
- Wednesday, April 17 (6-7pm ET)
- Saturday, May 18 (10-11am ET)
- Thursday, June 20 (6-7pm ET) (new date due to holiday)
- Saturday, July 20 (10-11am ET)
- Wednesday, August 21 (6-7pm ET)
- Saturday, September 21 (10-11am ET)
- Wednesday, October 16 (6-7pm ET)
- Saturday, November 16 (10-11am ET)
- Wednesday, December 18 (6-7pm ET)
About Mallory Day McDonagh
Hi! I’m Mallory and I live in SW Washington, DC with my husband and 2 cats. I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) at the age of 32 after my initial Stage IIB Triple Negative diagnosis a year prior. I found the Young Adults with MBC support group in those first desperate and terrifying weeks after my Stage IV diagnosis and though I was uncertain about engaging, the immediate welcome and powerful knowledge of the group grounded me. It has brought me comfort and confidence, while also teaching me about all aspects of this terrible disease. I’m thrilled to volunteer as the facilitator of this group and hope to continue navigating and supporting the unique challenges we face through the power of community.
Subscribe to her blog: Your Hot Cancer Friend
This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.
You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.
with Lisa Hahn
This healing circle is for people who are 45 and older who are living and thriving with Metastatic Breast Cancer. This peer-led circle will provide a safe place to connect, support and share with one another.
What is a Healing Circle?
Healing Circles bring together small numbers of people impacted by a condition or circumstance to share experiences and harvest collective wisdom. Healing Circles is a peer-led process by which people support each other through deep listening and shared learning. When working at its best, this collaborative conversation model leads to authentic and deep connectivity and can create wisdom and healing for participants.
This Healing Circle will meet Monthly on the 2nd Wednesday from 5:15-6:45pm ET.
About Lisa Hahn
Lisa Hahn was diagnosed with MBC de novo in the Fall of 2019. In addition to working full-time and attending doctor appointments, she is always looking for a new exercise class and tries to maintain a consistent yoga and pilates practice. Her background in the arts as a former ballet dancer and arts council program officer have given her a strong appreciation for the arts and she is a regular attendee at the Smith Center. She lives in Alexandria with her husband, two teenage boys and two cats and you can follow her on Instagram @dancingwithmbc
