Celebrating Women Who Inspire: Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor strong, brave women who have made a difference. At Check for a Lump, we celebrate women who share their breast cancer survivor stories, support others, and help raise breast cancer awareness. 

One woman leading this mission is Judy, Judith L. Pearson, award-winning author and founder of A 2nd Act. 

Helping Is Healing

Judy was a biographer when her life changed, and she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. While recovering, she met other cancer survivors making a difference in their communities. She realized that helping others helps you heal! 

In 2015, she founded A 2nd Act, a program that celebrates and supports women survivors of all cancers. These women use their life experience to give back and inspire others. 

In 2022, Judy was ready to begin her second 2nd Act and passed A 2nd Act on to Check for a Lump and fellow breast cancer survivor Monica X Castillo. Check for a Lump supports women cancer survivors with Girls Night Out events that are all about connection, laughter, and support, giving survivors a chance to share experiences and lift each other up. S.T.A.R.S. (Survivors Tell A Real Story) was passed on to Monica X Castillo to continue to produce the amazing and inspirational event so that survivors can continue to tell their story of helping and healing. Stories from these amazing women are featured in A 2nd Act books, which Check for a Lump includes in Super Survivor Kits for breast cancer patients. These books inspire hope, bring a sense of community, and remind readers that they are never alone on their journey. We are proud to continue her mission of helping women heal while giving back to their communities. 

Since then, Judy has been hard at work and her latest book, Radical Sisters: Shirley Temple Black, Rose Kushner, Evelyn Lauder and the Dawn of the Breast Cancer Movement, that tells the true stories of three women whose courage changed the way we talk about breast cancer. 

Three Women Who Changed Breast Cancer History 

“There was a time when women’s health was severely marginalized. There was a time when breast cancer wasn’t discussed. There was a time when October wasn’t pink. 

But three women refused to be silenced, their indomitable spirits igniting a movement for change.” -Judith L. Pearson

• Shirley Temple Black – American diplomat and former child actress 

• Rose Kushner – breast cancer activist 

• Evelyn Lauder – breast cancer awareness advocate 

They helped create breast cancer awareness programs, early detection campaigns, and open conversations about women’s health. Today, thanks to their work, more women survive and thrive after a breast cancer diagnosis. 

If you would like to read these inspiring stories, you can find Judy’s book on Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, bookshop.org, or shop locally at Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix. They may even still have a signed copy, just ask the check out counter.

Honoring Survivors Today 

During Women’s History Month, we celebrate not only historic trailblazers but also everyday heroes, women who face cancer with courage, share their survivor stories, and lift others up.

Their journeys remind us that cancer can spark a second act, a life full of hope, purpose, and giving back. At Check for a Lump, we are proud to help women write that next chapter.  

Listen to a few brave women who shared their stories with us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry796oPumi0

Volunteer with Check for a Lump

Judy’s story and the stories of the women in her book prove that helping others is a powerful form of healing. At Check for a Lump, we see this magic happen every day through the work of our incredible volunteers. Just as these brave women found purpose in their "second acts," you can find community and meaning by supporting others on their journey.

This Women’s History Month, you can become a part of the story. By volunteering with Check for a Lump, you help us continue the legacy of support that so many others have built. You don't need a special degree or a big chunk of time, just a caring heart and a desire to make a difference.

Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Help Assemble Super Survivor Kits: Join us to put together these care packages, which include A 2nd Act books and other comforting items, to let breast cancer patients know they are not alone.

• Delivery Super Survivor Kits: Pick up a kit and hand deliver it to a breast cancer survivor who is currently going through treatment to help brighten her day.

• Support a Girls Night Out Event: Lend a hand at our connection events for survivors. Your help creates a warm and welcoming space for women to share laughter and support.

• Share Your Skills: Are you a photographer, a videographer, a social media whiz, or something else? We’d love to talk about how your unique talents can help us spread awareness and reach more women.

Your time and compassion can make a world of difference. Help us empower the next chapter in a survivor’s life.

To learn more and sign up, visit our volunteer page here or email us at support@checkforalump.org.