Just One

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.