We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sue Weldon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sue below.
Hi Sue, thanks for joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
“Good for you, I can never afford that” I wanted to begin with those 8 words.
8 words shared with me by a stranger that inspired my life’s work.
8 words that opened my eyes to the disparities in health care .
8 words that set a fire under me to create a nonprofit
8 words that revealed a health equity gap that was not covered by the medical standard of care.
8 words that created a movement to create access for all.
In 2005, after one year out from my breast cancer diagnosis and feeling like I finally had control once again, I found myself at an event on the Art Museum steps, meeting a young woman who was going through her own struggle. Hair gone, yellowish tone in her skin, hollow eyes. It was me. I was looking in a mirror. Tooled with all I had learned about the power of integrative care- acupuncture, yoga and whole food nutrition, I went up to her to share. And she cried and said “Good for you, I can never afford that.” Shame on me for not seeing that health care is not equal. It was then that I went home and told my husband I wanted to start a non profit. I was not sure what it would look like, but knowing my skill sets ( sales, event planning, passion, and can lead and inspire a high level team) I surrounded myself with those that complimented what I was lacking and Unite for HER was born.
Sue, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Sue Weldon, CEO and founder of Unite for HER- but most importantly- I am a survivor – 19 years and this my story.
At the age of 39, I was faced with the devasting news that I had breast cancer. I swore they had the wrong girl—In denial. Struggling. What started as me trying to self-advocate for myself, became the comprehensive business plan and wellness program for Unite for HER. I just did to realize it at the time. I was just trying to survive.
During those 6 months of chemotherapy treatment and a bilateral mastectomy, I dove into the power in integrative care, complementary care. I became a student of acupuncture, nutrition and yoga., learning and educating myself on the healing effects of integrative care. All extremely life changing for me to manage unwanted side effects and symptoms from arduous treatment. Bone pain, headaches, nausea, hot flashes, depression, hormone unbalances, anxiety, sleep deprivation and more. I found control again, I found me.
That was the moment Unite for HER was born. And the moment a mother of 3, gymnastics coach and sales associate, would soon set out to lead a national nonprofit. All my skill sets have set me up for this moment in my life. Building relationships, connecting people, coaching and leading a team, planning events, and of course being a survivor with now the passion and knowledge of what integrative care can mean to someone going through cancer, emotionally and physically. What Unite for HER looked like in 2009 is not what it looks like today, but it is the same comprehensive wellness program, now delivered nationwide. What started as serving 23 women at Paoli, is now serving over 5300 nationwide. For 14 years Unite for HER/Him/Them has served cancer patients with an evidence-based integrative cancer program, that both oncologists and patients alike see improving patient outcomes. But there is much work to be done, with powerful data to back it up.
All capturing the patient voice and looking towards a day where we will not hear another person say: “Good for you- I could never afford that”
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The National Expansion Story: Launched May 4th, 2021- During a Global Pandemic
In March of 2020, Unite for HER was faced with re-inventing themselves during a global pandemic, pivoting their hallmark hands-on integrative program to a virtual format to meet the needs of those newly diagnosed and living with mBC. All were on stay-at-home orders, and the in-person conferences, provider treatments, cooking and shopping experiences and ALL fundraising and community events needed to make a shift to a virtual platform. A shift we made indeed and Zoom, ring lights, IG, TikTok, virtual all became a part of the strategy to communicate and create an online community.
Led by a dynamic, creative, and innovative staff that was truly not afraid of the great change and challenges that lie ahead, the Unite for HER team moved swiftly, with purpose, delivering our wellness program to all those faced with a cancer diagnosis during a pandemic. Cancer did not stop during COVID, and either did we. The HER care box, which we had as a gift of care you can send anywhere in the nation, became the vehicle in which our integrative care program was to be delivered.
Virtual and digital communities and education platforms were created to meet the growing need. This was a turning point for Unite for HER, where we took our model to serve during the pandemic and implemented it nationwide. National organizations, medical communities and Pharma companies all took notice, aligning goals that would make great impact in whole patient care, prioritizing those underserved and underrepresented.
Guided by a 3- Year Strategic Plan [ that at the time looked to expand into one new city], we aligned our expansion to prioritize underserved communities and people of color, knowing the health disparities and limited access they faced. In June of 2021, we executed our first National Metastatic Breast Cancer Conference for 103 women, reaching 28 states. That event had 45% women of color enrolled. A noticeable increase over our past representation. We also started programs at Weil Cornell and Mt Sinai with a June National Wellness Conference for newly diagnosed and that saw 75% people of color enrolled. Collaborations were key to our recruitment, linking arms with non profits that had the pulse of the communities in which we wanted to serve, gaining trust and creating access to integrative care. This approach met our recruitment needs, established trusting partnerships and laid the groundwork for future goals.
As we look back on the past 3 years, our staff led confidently in this new direction and our community of supporters reflected the leadership they saw- forging ahead with us. There was great alignment with all having the intent to help bridge health equity gaps, and partnering with Unite for HER allowed companies to also have the impact through our already established comprehensive wellness programming, This unwavering support moved us across all 50 states, serving over 5300 people affected by breast or ovarian cancer annually. We prioritized under represented and underserved communities, giving access to those in need of integrative care and are recognized for our work, our SABCS poster and abstract, recently presented, capturing outcomes that enhance quality of life and adherence to treatment.
Any advice for managing a team?
I have found success on cultivating a culture that embodies the fundamental values of our mission and outreach objectives. I consistently uphold these principles as a leader, leaving a profound impact on my team every day. Inclusivity and authenticity define my leadership style, enabling my team at Unite for HER to flourish and contribute significantly in their roles. They feel seen, heard, cared for, empowered and supported. When this is in balance, one can thrive and flourish.
By nurturing a culture steeped in empathy, trust, and innovation, Unite for HER has emerged as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking comprehensive, holistic care on their cancer journey. Each member of our team feels their impact on enhancing lives and empowering individuals, leaving an enduring imprint on the landscape of patient care and self-advocacy. Each team member, regardless of their role, senses their impact, and I prioritize creating an environment where individuals feel acknowledged, heard, supported, and enabled to thrive.
As a leader, my foremost responsibility is to equip and mentor my staff for outstanding success. I aim for them to excel in their roles to a degree surpassing my own, enabling me to focus on driving our national expansion, strategy, and partnerships, where my expertise is most valuable. Witnessing my team thrive fills me with a deep sense of pride, knowing that I’m not alone in this mission. I stand here elevated by an exceptional team, a team that has skill sets that I don’t have, and a community that experiences the significance of their contributions daily.
For me it is so important that my life’s work carries on way beyond me, and empowering my staff to carry on the unique culture, vision and community created from my personal journey guides my style of leadership.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.uniteforher.org
- Instagram: unite4her
- Facebook: Unite4HER
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-weldon-4b140224/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/UniteforHER
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/UniteforHERnonprofit