By Joyce Williams
Survivor, Founder, Executive Director of Keepers of the Flame Foundation

Hearing the words, “You have cancer,” certainly ripples the foundation under your feet in ways you never thought possible. It sure did that for me. As I sat down on a red bench outside Target to snag the call that would forever change my life, those foundation ripping words fell heavy upon me, and my insides began to crumble with their weight. How on earth was I going to do this?

Later, I found myself sitting on a different bench. I’d entered counseling for the first time in my life and began processing through the emotional tsunami that inevitably came with a diagnosis. Therapy had become my life raft in a sea of monstrous swells, and I was grateful for that safe space. I remember asking in session one day, “Why on earth don’t other breast cancer patients know about this?”

After moving through my personal storm and gathering an incredible team of community leaders, we founded Keepers of the Flame® Foundation. Our mission: to shine light into the darkness, empowering breast cancer patients to weather their storms both physically and emotionally.

For psychological therapy referrals to be integrated as a best practice for standard of care, we first needed solid data and journal publications to demonstrate need. Just because I thought it was a great idea didn’t mean everyone did. We needed to know for certain. So, we conducted IRB research studies through a partnership with Elisabeth Counselman-Carpenter at Adelphi University to investigate what breast cancer patients thought about having physician referrals to therapy. The results were clear. The emotional toll was immense, and patients wanted help getting to counseling.

Community support and partnerships grew, and a program soon took form. Brothers Brother Foundation and Blossoming Beyond Breast Cancer recognized the benefits to supporting breast cancer patients in this capacity, and they gave us a grant to launch our program. Since its inception, we’ve paid for 190 sessions, with even more scheduled. We’ve had a 231% growth in the number of sessions attended since this time last year; we’ve expanded our partnerships to 10 local counseling centers, allowing patients to find the best fit for them; and we’ve cultivated partnerships with each of our local hospitals to provide support to any breast cancer patient in need. The entire community has rallied behind this initiative, embracing the mantra that together we help our breast cancer patients weather their storms.

The efficacy of the program was analyzed and published in January of 2026 in Decreasing Financial Toxicity for Breast Cancer Patients: A Program Evaluation of a Financial Assistance Program to Improve Access Mental Health Support by Journal of Cancer Research and Reports 2026; Vol 2 Iss 1.

Both the need for the program and the impact from it are undeniable and supported by research. A program participant shared:

“Therapy services are an integral part of the journey for breast cancer patients. I waited a little later in my diagnosis to seek therapy assistance and wish I would have started them sooner. I encourage all my fellow warriors to begin this therapy assistance early on, as it is crucial to be able to express and manage fear, anxiety, stress and emotions. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to utilize the therapy services with KOTF made possible by Brothers and Brothers Foundation.”
                                                                                                                             
– Traci Moore, survivor/program participant

At the end of April 2026, we had our spring fundraiser, where 7 community leaders competed to raise the most funds. We had doctors from each hospital, local news castors, survivors and caregivers, nurse navigators, and restaurant owners. The competition culminated in a Roundup & Casino Night where the winner was revealed. Brother’s Brother Foundation Blossoming Beyond Breast Cancer generously gifted a grant of $10,000 at the event to continue supporting the incredibly successful and impactful therapy program.

We are thrilled to be able to support breast cancer patients in this way. The research is clear about need and impact; and the program we’ve built with the financial support from BBF has grown tremendously. Together we not only weather this storm, but we help patients blossom beyond breast cancer.