Happy New Year!

What an amazing year we just had! So much has occurred. As I reflect back—with the help of all the post it notes I placed in my “Accomplishment Jar” throughout 2024—I can honestly say that I’m so proud of myself and my accomplishments and even more so, I’m blessed to have so many people in my life that made many of those accomplishments possible. Let me share a few…

I’m blessed that over 38-artists throughout Florida, England and Spain believed in my vision of a Breast Cancer Mermaid® and painted/created their interpretation of this concept. With their help and that of Pedram Moghaddam, Gallery Curator and Artist Advocate, who help spread the word and recruited a few outrageously talented artists for the project, the Breast Cancer Mermaid® Art Collection debuted on May 4, 2024. We were also blessed with the help of Diane M. Greenwell of the Hernando Beach Front Porch Art Walk who raised funds for Cancer Tamer Foundation’s Health Expo. Diane also connected us with Yann Milcendeau who provided us with the ability to paint the FIRST Breast Cancer Mermaid® Mural at his restaurant, the Silver Dolphin in Hernando Beach. If you aren’t aware, this is the first mural EVER—not only in Florida but in the world—to acknowledge and honor the strength and courage displayed by women with breast cancer.

I also want to thank the over 30,000 individuals who protested the censorship of the Breast Cancer Mermaid® art exhibition by a local gallery. Your voices were so gloriously loud that Newsweek actually picked up the story and wrote an article on their website for the world to see. Yes, the censorship was immediately reversed.

I especially want to thank one person who often goes unnoticed despite her tireless efforts on behalf of all the women with breast cancer we serve and the thousands of individuals we connect with throughout the year, our New York Office Executive Director Debra Santulli Barone. It’s because of her diligence that Cancer Tamer members in New York can enjoy a night out and away from cancer. This year alone, Debra’s collaboration with local organizations such as the St. George Theater and the Staten Island Ballet, enabled Cancer Tamer members and their loved ones to attend theater outings and enjoy shows like:  A Tribute to Abba, The Nutcracker, Little Shop of Horrors; and five other performances. But that’s not all, Debra has also continued to broadcast our Community Television Show which has been providing valuable information on living and thriving despite cancer for the past eight years to millions of individuals in New York and is also available on YouTube through Staten Island Community Television and Cancer Tamer’s YouTube channel.

For 2025, Cancer Tamer is hosting the Breast Cancer Comedy Dramedy Program which will teach women how to share their journey with this disease using comedy and storytelling techniques, as well as poetry. We are planning a live performance with participants both in New York and Florida for October.

Plus, we continue to provide various workshops (live and online) as well as 1-on-1 Peer Talks. It is your tax-deductible  contributions which help make all these programs possible. As we start the New Year, please consider donating to help us empower more women with breast cancer and enable them to participate in these programs free or at a low cost. Visit our website to donate today or contact us to become a sponsor.  

WE are all here to support each other and share lift, growth, and love. Thank you for your part in helping Cancer Tamer empower women with breast cancer in both New York and Florida and everywhere in between.

Be Blessed,

Dr. Charley Ferrer
CEO & Founder
Cancer Tamer Foundation