Helping Women of Color Thrive Beyond Cancer Treatment

Staci Kirk’s journey as a six-time cancer survivor has shaped her into a powerful advocate for survivors, especially women of color. Through her nonprofit, the Stiletto Boss Foundation, she addresses the gaps beyond medical treatment, offering emotional support, community, and practical resources for those navigating life after diagnosis.

In her own words, Staci explains that her transparency and need for community during her journey revealed a lack of support for many women facing cancer — particularly those experiencing healthcare disparities.

By building this foundation, Staci provides more than treatment — she creates a community where survivors can heal, find strength, and thrive beyond cancer.

Transcript

What inspired you to found the Stiletto Boss Foundation, and how does the organization support survivors beyond their medical treatment?

I realized, through my own transparency and through my own journey of needing to build community, that there were other women who felt the same way.

There were so many health care disparities. There was so much beyond just the treatment of [patients with] cancer and that there wasn't a lot of support around that, especially women of color — they experience quite a bit more adversity as it relates to a diagnosis — and so that was the purpose.

It was just to bring community around the diagnosis and to give them more than just the treatment. We have been able to provide support groups. We've been able to do one-on- one [meetings]. I've sat with people that I've never met before during their chemotherapy treatment because they didn't have anyone else to go with them.

We also provide what we call “warrior boxes” for women who are newly diagnosed with [X type of] cancer, and it includes things that you don't typically think about, like peppermint ginger chews, lip balm, and lotion. These are things that you don't think about because you don't know. We've been really blessed to be able to have this foundation and give back to people in that way.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness

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