A 2ND ACT {survivors giving back}
JUST ONE
Changing breast cancer survivorship, one at a time Judy Pearson | Contributing Writer
“If we can impact one breast cancer fighter each day, then we have done our job,” said Elizabeth Ayers-Cluff, the founder of Impact One. “Because I’m one. And we include that stamp in every package we send. We want women to now they’re not alone.” Words from a woman who knows the pain of a breast cancer diagnosis — Ayers-Cluff was 37 when she heard the heart-stopping words — and the struggle of fighting for your life. Married, with three small children, she was blindsided by the diagnosis. And then it dawned on her: “If I’m this depressed, if I’m in this dark place, what do single women do? What about women without a support network?” Even though she was burned from radiation, had to deal with failed reconstruction, and was living in an ACE bandage, Ayers-Cluff began searching for resources those less fortunate than she might need. By the time Ayers-Cluff had arrived at a stronger place in her survivorship, she had lots of ideas. It appeared that one of the greatest holes was in the prosthetic space. She wrote letters, lots of them, asking for donations. 44 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | OCTOBER 2018
And one day, her dream became a reality. A Virginia orthotic company called to say they were phasing out the prosthetic area of the business and sent her prosthetic breasts. Hanger Clinic in Phoenix did the same, along with other mastectomy supplies. And once she launched Impact One, the requests poured in. Ayers-Cluff became a certified mastectomy fitter to best serve women in need. In addition to filling physical needs with mastectomy items and wigs, Impact One also fills emotional needs, from general support groups serving women to specific groups serving young women or Latinas. “When I close my eyes, I see women we’ve touched in every state,” Ayers-Cluff said. “We’re almost there. We’ve had enough funding to serve women all over the country. Product comes in free, but our fundraising dollars cover our shipping and outreach.” The stories of women Impact One has touched are breathtaking. After a woman from upstate New York received a box of products, she felt compelled
