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.
Ongoing Healing Circles
Healing Circle for Parents with Cancer
Monthly on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 12:00-1:00pm, with Lauren Sauer & Tracy Steffek
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.
Healing Circle for Metastatic Breast Cancer Thrivers 45+
Monthly on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 5:15-6:45pm, 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.
Healing Circle for Young Adults with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Monthly – alternating between Wednesdays (6:00-7:00pm) and Saturdays (10:00-11:00am), with several hosts
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.
A Healing Circle – Support Group for Gay Men with Prostate Cancer
Monthly on the 4th Thursday from 7:00-8:30pm, with Kenneth Johnson
We are a group of gay men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer or who are recovering from treatment that offer support to each other. In a peer-led community, we share our experiences and understanding to help one another best deal with our own personal situations.
Meet Our Peer-Led Healing Circles Facilitators
About Lauren Sauer
About Tracy Steffek
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.
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
About Kenneth Johnson
Kenneth Johnson, of Washington, D.C., is a co-facilitator and founding member of the Healing Circle Supporting Gay Men with Prostate Cancer hosted at the Smith Center since October 2018. Kenneth was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 at the age of 50 and treated with surgery and radiation. Before volunteering with the support group, Kenneth volunteered with many LGBTQ+ organizations and community non-profits in Atlanta, GA. Now, when not enjoying his book club’s latest selection or trying to keep his heart rate up at the gym, Kenneth can be found enjoying time with his vibrant parents who will soon celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary. Kenneth is nearing the end of a 34-year career in federal service as an information technology analyst and looks forward to hitting the highways to visit family and friends around the country.
