December 1, 2024

“Wow. Your article and illumination of truth are powerful for me. I, too, have had breast cancer and other painful physical manifestations of the experiences trapped in my body. Today is the first day I have publicly written about my trauma and family estrangement. I am very grateful.”
~ Mary McCool Berry, Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper Reader

Dear Friends of For Grace,

At For Grace, 2024 has been a time of great reward despite some cloudy days. While Cynthia’s imaging remains clear, persistent post-cancer treatment complications have sidelined her with pain. Despite that, we had a stellar year of accomplishments, manifesting in a better, brighter world for women challenged by chronic pain and trauma, along with those who love and care for them.

Our media outreach once again hit a high note as we persevered in our efforts to spread the word far and wide. In June, Cynthia penned her account for HealthyWomen’s Real Women, Real Stories section highlighting her remarkable travail of surviving aggressive cancer twice with high-impact pain. Later in the year, she consulted with HW to profile another woman’s inspiring journey in honor of Pain Awareness Month. Cynthia continues her column for Pain News Network and we both carry on with podcast guest appearances. Our crown jewel was landing an in-depth article on Maria Shriver’s highly-touted Sunday Paper, one that Cynthia pitched for over a year. The piece was groundbreaking in its unflinching view about family estrangement as a last case scenario to maintain wellness, even life, in the face of great illness.

“This project is AH-MAZING! Very comforting with lots of resources. Thank you so much!”
~ UA Prosperity, YouTube comment

Prompted by the US Surgeon General recently issuing an advisory that social isolation and loneliness are a public health epidemic, and knowing that this devastating duo impacts the women in pain community far more than the general public, Team For Grace took action. All year we solicited and spotlighted soul-bearing, life-affirming testimonials for our ongoing Share Your Story project – as well as consistently sharing news articles that highlighted this critical issue via our multiple social media platforms, all in an effort to encourage our community to combat loneliness and self-isolation by pursuing social interaction.

We ask you to please make a tax-deductible 2024 financial contribution by online donation at forgrace.org – so we can continue our good work to bring new hope and understanding to millions of women worldwide whose lives are challenged daily by persistent pain.

“Your vulnerability and knowledge are your super powers. Thank you for always sharing them.”
~ Tracy Zuckerman, Woman In Pain

Beginning in March, we were excited to expand For Grace’s social media presence by spotlighting real-life, relatable topics near and dear to women challenged by chronic pain. Dubbed the “Women In Pain Nation” campaign, we share powerful personal essays and mind-changing interviews via video posts that help our community be heard, appreciated and empowered. While the campaign picks up steam, we address pertinent issues such as food as medicine, championing policy, taking care of the caregiver, chronic pain in film and the healing benefits of creative art therapy, to name a few. In the New Year, we look forward to assembling round-tables to foster spirited discussion from our community and pain experts.

“You are amazing!! I’m in awe of you!”
Karen Duffy, Woman In Pain and former MTV VJ

In an effort to open Hollywood doors for women in pain, Cynthia’s pursuing one of her great passions, TV/film acting – which is showing results. After three months of “hitting the pavement”, she’s landed a top-notch agent (their sole wheelchair using client), snared multiple auditions and call-backs, and was in the last round of casting for a coveted film role. Also her love of music remains strong as she launched her third music project, Magic, dedicated to “Women In Pain Who Believe.” Once completed, this compilation of songs will depict the power of the expressive arts to spark wellness – and inspire women in pain to pursue their joys and go for their dreams.

As always, collaborations shaped a big part of our year. With California Senator Maria Elena Durazo, we sponsored our 21^st-year-in-row resolution proclaiming September as Pain Awareness Month. With the American Chronic Pain Association, I wrote a caregiving article that appeared in the summer edition of their Chronicle magazine. With the Pain Awareness Information Network, Cynthia paneled on a webinar that explored the unique challenges of women living with high-impact pain. And with the Healing Works Foundation, Cynthia lent her hard-earned wisdom and insight about shared-decision making to their best-selling book, Healing and Cancer.

Please continue to support our on-going education and awareness efforts to create a better world for women in pain. Many, many thanks – and the happiest of holiday wishes to you and yours…

John Garrett
Director, For Grace

PS – A development that came out of Cynthia’s HealthyWomen article was that Merck pharmaceuticals chose to underwrite it. As the maker of the immunotherapy that saved her life, Cynthia and Merck are in discussions about partnering to get a fuller version of her unique story out via speaking engagements, media, and a possible book.

PSS – With a finalized promotional “sizzle reel” in hand to shop to potential underwriters and producers, Cynthia and I hope to co-produce and host a streaming or network docu-drama series that will follow women in pain and their caregivers pursuing better wellness through whole person care. This is where our hearts lie – and cheers to the New Year bringing us an exciting, new show that will help many.