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 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.
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.
Strengthening Each Other: A Healing Circle for Muslim Sisters Living with Cancer
Bi-Monthly on the 1st & 3rd Saturday, 9:00-10:30am, with Gina Petonito
A safe and accepting space for Muslim sisters living with cancer to meet, share their stories, and heal together.
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 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
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.
About Gina Petonito
Gina Petonito is a retired university professor, current business and life coach, and a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with Stage IIa, ER/PR+ invasive ductal carcinoma in November 2021, upgraded to Level IIIa after surgery. She underwent treatment throughout 2022 and is currently cancer free. Determined to have a productive life despite the arduous procedures, Gina completed an 83,000-word historical fiction manuscript, and moved forward with her
businesses Writing Your Way and Academic Womxn Reclaim Your Power.
A convert to Islam since 1984, Gina created a gratitude series for Muslim women, titled 99 Days of Gratitude: A Practice for Sisters. This practice, uploaded to YouTube focuses upon one of the Beautiful Names of God each day, and suggests related supplications, gratitude items, and affirmations. The practice allowed her to place cancer into its proper perspective as one negative in a life of abundant blessings, ma sha Allah. Nevertheless, cancer often plunges a person into loneliness, which support can alleviate. I firmly believe that together we sisters can strengthen each other in our deen and in our worldly life. Together, we can come to terms with cancer, be patient AND persevere.
Gina lives in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area and spends her free time at home with her beloved family. She enjoys studying history, reading, writing, and connecting with women all over the globe.
