WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS
BE BROKEN OPEN AND TRANSFORMED
We provide young women with targeted, age-appropriate, and integrated health and wellness resources and tools that enable them to rise above the residual effects of breast cancer, so that they can heal and live well.
THE URGENT NEED
Younger women with breast cancer face unique challenges that their older counterparts do not.
Many women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are in the prime of their lives when they are devastated by a breast cancer diagnosis and disease that is often more advanced, more likely to metastasize, and less likely to respond to treatment than in post-menopausal women. The quality and length of these young women’s lives are often profoundly impacted just as they are coming into their own as individuals, starting families, raising children, and rising in their careers.
Every aspect of their beings is affected — from self-image, fertility, and physical intimacy, to mental, physical, and spiritual well-being — and it is life-altering.
Until recently, few resources were available to serve these younger women, leaving many feeling unsupported, uninspired, and disempowered when they need hope the most.
This iRise Above Foundation was established to change that. Founded by Gillian Lichota in 2017 following her own experience as a young, pregnant woman with breast cancer, the foundation empowers young women to seize control of their well-being during and after treatments and surgeries, with targeted, age-appropriate and integrative resources. Through wellness programs, webinars, retreats, and adventure trips designed by wellness and medical experts, these women are equipped with the latest research to improve their health through nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness practices. They are inspired to see their journey as a transformational one.
Most importantly, iRise connects young women with breast cancer to a community of like-minded thrivers with the same goals: the desire to live full, vibrant lives aligned with their passion and purpose, and to move the needle on their prognoses.
They are inspired to become the authors of their own stories, reclaim their power, discover their true authentic selves; to be broken open and transformed.
A breast cancer diagnosis is devastating, but it does not have to limit or define us. Join this community of like-minded thrivers and empower yourself to do more than just survive. Be broken open and transformed. Challenge your prognosis. Heal and live well. Rise above breast cancer.
REALITY CHECK
HOW BREAST CANCER IS DIFFERENT IN YOUNG ADULTS
Created by young women after breast cancer, for young women after breast cancer.
WHY iRISE ABOVE BREAST CANCER
HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT
The iRise Above Foundation bridges the gaps left by conventional breast cancer treatment and support services.
Targeted, age-appropriate offerings include webinars, workshops and book clubs, targeted nutrition coaching, fitness training designed for young women recovering from breast cancer treatments and surgeries, yoga and mindfulness practices, presentations on integrative and functional medicine, and positive psychology programming. Restorative retreats and adventure trips to incredible locations, both domestic and foreign, offer young women with breast cancer immersive nature experiences in these wellness practices and allow them to connect with like-minded women.
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING
OUR WELLNESS COLLECTIVE OF EXPERTS IN HEALTH AND WELLBEING INCLUDES:
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![Fitness Coaches]()
Fitness Coaches
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![Yoga Movement Practitioner]()
Yoga Movement Practitioners
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![Mindfulness and Meditation Practitioners]()
Mindfulness and Meditation Practitioners
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![Nutritionists]()
Nutritionists
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![Functional Medicine Life Coaches]()
Functional Medicine Life Coaches
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![Positive Psychology Experts]()
Positive Psychology Experts
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![Physicians who specialize in oncology, general and integrative medicine, and palliative care]()
Physicians who specialize in oncology, general and integrative medicine, and palliative care
The foundation inspires young women with breast cancer to cultivate an outstanding quality of life, to heal, live well, and improve their prognosis. These women learn how to rise from the ashes of illness stronger, wiser, and more aligned with their purpose and passion.
Young women feel empowered, supported, and inspired to cultivate an outstanding quality of life during and after breast cancer.
OUR GOAL
To help each young woman become the creator and author of her own story, reclaim her power, thrive, and discover her true authentic self, moving forward after breast cancer.
COMMUNITY
Connects women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s after breast cancer with other like-minded women, and with health and wellness experts dedicated to helping these women to thrive in mind, body, and spirit.
CORE PILLARS
Inspire. Empower. Support.
PHILOSOPHY
Believe the diagnosis, but challenge the prognosis.
Join other young women after breast cancer and take control of your well-being through the iRise Above Foundation offerings. Participate in wellness programs, webinars, retreats, and adventure trips designed by wellness and medical experts, and learn of the latest research to improve your health through targeted nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness practices. Be inspired to see your journey as a transformational one.
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