Breast Cancer: The Diagnosis That Inspired a Community

Hello, my name is Siobhan and I am the chair of Growing to Give, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women in agriculture and feeding those in need. In June 2025, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. During treatment, I realized how isolating and overwhelming the experience could feel. I also saw how powerful it was to hear real stories, feel seen, and receive practical support. That realization led to the creation of Cancer Bites as a community-focused, educational initiative.

Important Disclaimer

Cancer Bites and Growing to Give do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information and personal stories shared on this site are for informational and community-support purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health, medical condition, or treatment options, and before starting, changing, or stopping any treatment, medication, activity, or wellness practice.

Cancer Bites – Our Mission

Cancer Bites is a storytelling and community-support program. It exists to share encouraging stories, offer emotional support, and connect people who are affected by breast and other cancers. We focus on compassion, practical resources, and a sense of community that may help some people feel less alone as they navigate treatment and life beyond diagnosis. Cancer Bites does not replace medical care or counseling.

You Are Not Alone

You are invited to join us on Facebook and connect with a network built on understanding, respect, and shared experiences. In this community, people can talk about the fears, questions, and everyday moments that arise along the cancer journey—at their own pace and comfort level.

Here, you’ll find encouragement on hard days and celebration on better ones. It’s a space where you can share your story, listen to others, or simply read and feel less alone. Some people find that offering support to others can also be meaningful and personally healing.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in treatment, a long-term survivor, or a loved one walking alongside someone who has cancer, Cancer Bites is a place where you are welcome. Our goal is to reduce feelings of isolation and offer hope-filled connection—not to provide medical guidance or promise particular health outcomes.

Explore Our Shared Stories

Explore our Heal and Give Back Guide , created to highlight thoughtful, comforting gifts that can brighten someone’s day and support mission-driven brands and nonprofits.

Our Gift Guide

We Welcome Your Support

If you would like to support Cancer Bites and Growing to Give, you are invited to give in whatever way feels right for you. Donations help us expand our community outreach, storytelling projects, and comfort-focused initiatives. Descriptions below are examples of how contributions may be used; actual allocation may vary based on program needs.

Make a Donation

Twenty-Five Dollars Provides Seeds of Encouragement

A gift of $25 helps us send small, uplifting touches to people facing cancer, such as a care card, encouraging note, or a modest comfort item (for example, tea or affirmation cards). Your support also helps with volunteer coordination, postage, and outreach so that these gestures reach more people.

How your gift may help:

• Supports the cost of a care card or small comfort item.

• Contributes to volunteer outreach and matching efforts.

• Helps send messages of community, care, and solidarity.

Fifty Dollars Supports Our Podcast

A $50 donation helps sustain the Cancer Bites Podcast, which shares stories from survivors, caregivers, and professionals about resilience, healing, and hope. Contributions may support episode planning, production, editing, and guest outreach—helping these voices reach more listeners who are looking for encouragement and information.

How your gift may help:

• Assists with the production and editing of podcast episodes.

• Helps us invite and feature more guests and survivor stories.

• Supports efforts to share the podcast across platforms and with partner organizations.

• Offers listeners stories and perspectives that may help them feel more informed and supported.

One Hundred Dollars Gives a Gift of Comfort & Care

A $100 donation helps us prepare and distribute thoughtfully assembled care bags filled with comforting and practical items that can support patients during hospital stays or clinic visits. These bags are designed to offer a sense of dignity, warmth, and care—reminding recipients that someone is thinking of them.

How your gift may help:

• Supports the preparation of carry bags for patients in hospitals and recovery centers.

• Helps provide comfort items, self-care essentials, and inspirational materials.

• Contributes to emotional encouragement during challenging phases of treatment.

All donations support nonprofit programs and services for people in need. Growing to Give operates as a registered nonprofit organization. Donations do not influence medical treatment decisions and are not a substitute for professional medical or mental health care.

Share Our Message

You can support our work by sharing our resources and mission on social media, in your community, or with friends and family. This helps us connect with more people who may benefit from encouragement and support.

Join Our Committee

Committee members help provide guidance on how donations are used, support program planning, and work to ensure that each contribution is used thoughtfully to serve our mission.

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteers play an important role in outreach, event support, storytelling, and care initiatives. Whether you offer your time, skills, or presence, your involvement can help strengthen our programs and reach more people.

Together, We Create Hope-Filled Connections

Your support—whether through listening, sharing, volunteering, or giving—helps us build a community where people affected by cancer can feel seen, heard, and supported. With Cancer Bites, our goal is to transform moments of isolation into opportunities for connection, encouragement, and shared strength. We honor that everyone’s cancer experience is different and that medical decisions always belong with each person and their healthcare team.

Names and email addresses collected by Growing to Give are used only for nonprofit communications (such as updates, newsletters, or event information). They are not sold, are not used to personalize advertising, and are not linked to any individual’s health status, diagnosis, or treatment information.