In this episode, Alexandra French of Atlanta shares her journey from a breast cancer diagnosis at age 31 to navigating surrogacy after treatment. A young mother with no family history of cancer, Alexandra was diagnosed with stage III, estrogen-positive, HER2-positive breast cancer and faced chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and urgent fertility preservation in a compressed timeline.

During treatment, she and her family pursued surrogacy after learning it would be unsafe for her to carry another child. Alexandra discusses the emotional, legal, and financial realities of the surrogacy process, the vital role of her support system, and how her experience led her to found the Surrogacy Foundation, which provides grants to cancer patients. The episode closes with her advocacy win in Georgia, helping secure insurance coverage for fertility preservation. This is a powerful example of support, connection, and the joy of creating avenues of hope for others exploring surrogacy.

Resources:

www.thesurrogacyfoundation.org

Surrogacy Soiree February 21, 2026 - RSVP

In this final episode of the year, host Megan-Claire Chase reflects on a powerful Season 3 of Our BC Life, highlighting conversations on identity, caregiving, fertility, motherhood, and life beyond an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. Megan-Claire also shares what’s ahead in Season 4, including deeper conversations on mental health, surrogacy, and the launch of Common Ground—a new series connecting voices across breast and gynecologic cancers.

Because it’s about more than pink ribbons—it’s our BC life, and beyond. See you in 2026.

Resource: https://www.sharecancersupport.org/our-bc-life/

In this episode, we hear a powerful caregiver story from a husband who stood steady as his wife faced both triple-negative breast cancer and heartbreaking fertility challenges. He shares what it looked like to support her emotionally, practically, and spiritually through each twist in their journey—while also navigating his own grief, fear, and hope. Their honesty offers a rare, compassionate look at partnership under pressure and the strength that can grow when two people choose to keep showing up for each other.

Resources: Part 1: When Cancer Changes Everything: Lessons from a TNBC Survivor and Veteran

In the second half of our conversation, Brooks Nelson, ovarian cancer survivor, and Yee Won Chong, breast cancer survivor, return to share how their documentary “Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer” evolved into a tool for systemic change. This episode highlights what institutions can learn from lived experience, why representation matters, and how providers can advocate for systemic equity rather than surface-level inclusion.

They outline four clear goals for improving transgender and gender-nonconforming healthcare from better language and policy reform to storytelling in medical education. They also talk candidly about navigating the medical system, tackling misinformation around hormones, advocating for systemic change, and protecting trans youth and families in today’s climate.

Resources: Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer and Marsha P. Johnson and Micah Bazant, artist

What happens when gender, health, and identity intersect? Within the same month, Brooks Nelson and Yee Won Chong each received life-changing cancer diagnoses. Brooks was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and Yee Won was diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of retreating, they picked up a camera, and faced it together.

In the first half of this heartfelt conversation, we talk about gender, identity, privilege, frustration with the healthcare system, and the beauty of chosen family as they introduce their groundbreaking documentary “Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer.”

Resources:

https://www.transdudeswithladycancer.org/

In Part 2 of my conversation with Yanery Cruz, Director of Advocacy and Programs at the New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG), we examine the barriers trans and gender-expansive individuals encounter in healthcare and discuss effective strategies for true inclusion. Yanery offers valuable perspectives on topics ranging from OB-GYN care for trans masculine individuals to the need for a Trans Patient Bill of Rights, emphasizing the importance of safe, affirming environments.

We also discuss the importance of allyship in advocacy, the impact of policy change, and NYTAG’s legislative priorities, including decriminalizing STI status and advancing prison reform that respects gender identity. Yanery’s experiences highlight that joy, education, and civic engagement are vital for community well-being and progress.

Resources:

• Social Links:
  • Instagram: @FollowTheQween
  • Instagram: @NYTransAdvocacyGroup
• Website: NYTAG.org
• Info on Layleen Polanco, 27-year-old Afro-Latina transgender woman who died at Rikers: Death of Layleen Polanco

In Part 1, I sit down with Yanery Cruz, Director of Advocacy and Programs at the New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG). Yanery, a transgender woman and fierce advocate, discusses NYTAG’s mission to dismantle outdated laws, protect and defend trans rights, and create spaces for healing and radical resilience in the trans community.

We discuss why local, state, and federal elections matter for healthcare and policy, the importance of civic engagement, and key definitions to better understand the LGBTQ+ community. Yanery also highlights NYTAG’s TGNCNB Health and Wellness Summit and their Youth Advocacy Fellowship, both designed to center trans voices and prepare the next generation of leaders.

This conversation explores the deep connection between our bodies, our laws, and our ability to thrive.

Resources:

• Social Links:
  • Instagram: @FollowTheQween
  • Instagram: @NYTransAdvocacyGroup
• Website: NYTAG.org

In this episode of Our BC Life, I sit down with the vibrant and resilient Kim Rumpf, an orthopedic registered nurse, a 23-year veteran of the Air National Guard, and a triple-negative breast cancer survivor. Kim opens up about her life before cancer, serving in the military, and the surprise discovery that her family history of breast cancer was on her father’s side.

We talk about what it means to come through treatment and still feel changed mentally, emotionally, and physically. Kim shares candidly about her struggles with fatigue, depression, and anger, and how counseling gave her the tools to process those feelings. Together, we reflect on the reality that, much like deployment, cancer leaves you forever different. Kim reminds us that while the dark times are real, therapy, community, and humor can help carry you through.

This episode is part one of our conversation, so stay tuned, because Kim’s husband, CJ, her biggest supporter, will join us next time to share what survivorship looks like through the eyes of a co-survivor, and we will discuss their fertility struggles before and post breast cancer.

Thank you for listening to our bite-sized discussion today. This episode was produced by the host, Megan-Claire Chase, our executive producer, Christine Benjamin, Vice President of Patient Support and Education at SHARE Cancer Support, and special thanks to program assistant Miranda Gonzales.

Thanks to Konner Kienzle for composing the original music and to Sydney Schmidt for the Graphic design of our logo and brand. For more information about upcoming webinars, support groups, and our helpline, visit sharecancersupport.org.

New episodes drop monthly, so make sure to like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and catch up on previous ones! Until then, thanks for listening to Our BC Life.