Rise Up From Breast Cancer

WHY THE GROUP WAS STARTED
When people go through hardship, they’re not just more motivated to help others in many situations. They often want to help people in exactly the way that they have been hurt. Helping people through the trauma that you’ve faced is not only something that gives your life meaning, it gives your suffering meaning. ~Adam Grant

Hello! My name is Shannon! When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and 2021, I noticed that there was so much talk about fighting cancer. This approach didn’t feel good to me - it was the energy of resistance. I wanted a different approach; an approach that felt empowering, that focused on learning & growing through my breast cancer  journey. I didn't want to fight breast cancer, I wanted to Rise Up From Breast Cancer! I created this meetup to help you Rise Up From Breast Cancer too!

WHAT IT MEANS TO RISE UP FROM BREAST CANCER

• Approach your diagnosis, treatment and recovery with an attitude of acceptance. This doesn't mean that you like what's happening, it means that you are not resisting it, you are facing the truth of what's happening, with love and compassion towards yourself. You can do this by practicing mindfulness - building greater awareness of the moment-to-moment experience of your mind and body.
• Direct your mind to think of yourself in strong, positive ways. This means to focus on your positive personality traits, your character strengths (such as perseverance, hope, bravery, gratitude and love). We all have 24 character strengths and you can use them to help you navigate all aspects of your breast cancer journey. ​This is key because our negativity bias causes us to focus on our weaknesses and what we think is wrong, but this way of thinking blocks us from rising up.

HOW TO RISE UP FROM BREAST CANCER
Want to discover your greatest strengths in just 10 minutes? Take the VIA Survey! It is the only free, scientific survey of character strengths in the world. Knowing and applying your highest character strengths is the key to you being your best self, the key to rising up from breast cancer!

Check out this podcast where I talk about what it means to rise up from breast cancer!

MONTHLY OFFERINGS
Each month, you can attend a workshop with fun activities designed to help you to explore your unique Character Strengths Profile, how to use your strengths to navigate your breast cancer journey (diagnosis, treatment or recovery) and how to use your mindfulness to be present to your moment-to-moment experiences.

MEET SHANNON:
I’m a proud 2x breast cancer survivor! I was diagnosed with Grade 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of right breast on Oct 16, 2017. It was detected during a routine mammogram. I had a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. In Oct. 2021, I found a small lump, right before my routine mammogram. On Oct. 21, 2021, I was diagnosed with the same type of cancer. I had a nipple-sparing mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and chemotherapy. My breast cancer journey blessed my life in so many ways because I learned how to rise up and become the next version of myself. I want to help you rise up too! Read my full story here.
Also, for the past 15 years, I've been the organizer of the Unstoppable Women of Silicon Valley Meetup.