Judy Pearson: After illness, the importance of giving back

But some stories don’t end. A cancer story is one of those; it doesn’t end just because treatment does. There is no Humpty Dumpty moment when all the pieces of a life are put back together.

Rather, we find ourselves dragging the carcass of our illness behind us, plagued by myriad physical and psychological challenges. As a six-year survivor of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, I know this firsthand. Most of all, we survivors struggle with making sense of the journey and finding its purpose in our lives.

Soon after my own treatment, I came across some research my pre-cancer self had done for a book idea. It included these astounding statistics in a 2010 United Healthcare/Volunteer Match survey:

• 89 percent agreed that “volunteering has improved my sense of well-being.”

• 73 percent agreed that “volunteering lowers my stress levels.”

• 68 percent agreed that “volunteering has made me feel physically healthier.”

It appeared that there was healing in helping. Didn’t Lord Byron say, “The busy have no time for tears?” Why couldn’t the same premise be applied to cancer survivors? More research led me to astounding stories of survivors giving back to the greater good after their illnesses. And A 2nd Act was born.

We celebrate women survivors of all cancers who are using their newly realized gifts of life and experience to give back to the greater good in their 2nd Acts after cancer. We’ve showcased 16 of them in our stage performances, and their stories are retold in our book, “A 2nd Act: Cancer Survivors Changing the Question from ‘Why Me?’ to ‘What Next?’ ”

We support women survivors in three ways, starting with our Girls Night Out events. Imagine women in all stages of survivorship, from newly diagnosed to decades out, laughing and sharing . It’s free and can be experienced by any woman survivor at our inaugural Tucson event, Friday, Feb. 16, at St. Phillip’s Homewood Suites.

Our second form of support is our full-day workshop retreat. Attendees receive custom tote bags, a bound workbook and supplies, plus lunch and refreshments (courtesy of Arizona Oncology Foundation). The purpose is to encourage women survivors to consider what their skills, passions and their cancer have uniquely qualified them to do in a 2nd Act. The day includes inspiring sister survivor stories.

It, too, is free to attend. The workshop is Saturday, Feb. 17, at St. Phillip’s Homewood Suites.

Here’s the most important message: The size of a 2nd Act doesn’t matter. The doing does. And a cancer connection isn’t necessary, either.

Lastly, all of our fundraising supports our biggest give back for Tucson survivors. Each year, we make micro grants to women survivors who want to launch or grow their 2nd Acts.

This is the best, pay-it-forward love fest ever! And I can’t wait to see where it takes us.