Alyssa Goudge
2024 Participant/Breast Cancer Survivor
Topsail Island, NC

I had applied for LPHOH previously and when trying again this year, I didn’t have huge hopes. When I got the email it felt like maybe it was a scam at first, because there was no way we got lucky enough to be chosen. That feeling has multiplied tenfold since having actually attended the retreat.

I’ve connected with other local breast cancer groups, but haven’t really felt a connection with most of them due to my metastatic diagnosis and age. Having multiple people with similar experiences, diagnoses, and other parents was so amazing. I’ve definitely met my breasties and cherish the memories so much. It was also the first time my husband was able to connect with other caregivers his age and his stress literally melted away with each interaction we had with other families. They just ‘get it’ in a way no one else does. A few of the ladies and I are already texting daily and talking about how we could reconnect in the future, both through technology and in person. Meaningful lifelong connections were made in such a short amount of time, I cannot believe it and feel so incredibly blessed.