ABIGAIL JOHNSTON
Abigail lives in Orlando, Florida and has been an attorney since 2002. In 2017, while tandem breastfeeding her children (then 1 and 3), Abigail was diagnosed with de novo Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) and soon thereafter discovered that she has a genetic mutation that predisposed her to developing cancer at ATM. Since her diagnosis, Abigail has focused her efforts on patient advocacy and supporting those people in the MBC Community through her experience and training, virtually and in person. Abigail has been asked to write and speak about her experiences in a variety of settings and always welcomes the opportunity to educate others on how to live with cancer.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON
Project Life
Project Life is a virtual wellness house for the MBC Community by the MBC Community. As the Director of Mentorship for Project Life, I train MBC mentors, interview prospective MBC mentees, make matches between mentors and mentees, and support participants. Additionally, I run the Legal and Financial clinics programs, addressing the legal and financial needs of MBC patients and their families.
SurvivingBreastCancer.org
Through targeted programming SurvivingBreastCancer.org provides education, connection and support to those in the MBC Community. I have been privileged to participate in multiple different facets, including creating content, leading the MBC Webinar Series and serving on the MBC Leadership Committee.
Link to programFORCE Volunteer and PAL
FORCE is focused on those of us who have a hereditary predisposition to cancer. I am a policy/legislative advocate as well as helping to lead and moderate the Beyond BRCA support group, focused on those with genetic mutations outside of Lynch and BRCA.
Link to program