Survivor Builds Support Network for Women With Cancer

Staci Kirk founded the Stiletto Boss Foundation to empower women through mentorship, self-advocacy and healing.

Six-time cancer survivor, Staci Kirk, shared how her experience with multiple cancer diagnoses since age 14 reshaped her outlook on life and ultimately led her to found the Stiletto Boss Foundation.

Once focused solely on survival, Kirk now embraces self-care, presence and purpose. Her foundation offers mentorship, support groups and care packages for newly diagnosed women, aiming to fill gaps in survivorship support — particularly for women of color.

Kirk’s new book explores resilience after trauma and encourages readers to recognize their strength and purpose, no matter the challenges they face. Writing it, she said, helped her reflect and heal. She hopes both the book and foundation leave a legacy of unity and empowerment. Her core message to others: self-advocacy is essential, and no one should face cancer or the aftermath alone.

CURE: How has your experience with multiple diagnoses shaped your outlook on survivorship and healing?

Kirk: I think it has shifted over the years. My journey started at 14, and it has given me a new appreciation for who I am — taking care of myself and understanding the importance of being present in whatever moment I’m in. So yes, my outlook has definitely evolved. I used to be all about fight, fight, fight. Now, it’s still about fighting, but also healing, self-care, and taking care of who I am.

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

Oh, that’s an amazing question. Through my own transparency and my own journey, I realized I needed to build community — and that other women felt the same. There are so many health care disparities, and there’s so much more to survivorship than just cancer treatment. I saw a lack of support for that, especially for women of color, who often face even more adversity after a diagnosis.

That’s why I created the foundation: to build community around the diagnosis and offer more than just treatment support. We provide support groups and one-on-one mentorship. I’ve sat with people I’ve never met during their chemo because they didn’t have anyone else with them. We also give out what we call warrior boxes for women newly diagnosed with any type of cancer — things like peppermint ginger chews, lip balm, lotion. Small things that make a difference but aren’t always thought about when you’re newly diagnosed. We’ve been really blessed to give back in that way.

Your new book dives into themes of resilience and purpose after cancer. Can you share the central message you hope readers take away?

No matter what comes your way — any challenge, any obstacle — you still have a purpose. That purpose doesn’t change just because you’ve experienced trauma. I always say, your destiny is still a destination, no matter what tries to get in your way. Surviving cancer six times over so many years has been a blessing, and I want others to know that whatever trauma you face, you can still make it through. It’s all about mindset.

How has writing your book influenced your own healing journey and the way you connect with other survivors?

Writing it made me stop and pause. Honestly, cancer is just one of the traumas I’ve faced in my life. Revisiting it made me realize there are still parts of me I haven’t truly tended to, because I’ve been so focused on go, go, go — helping everyone else. Writing forced me to reflect: wow, you’ve really been through that. Let’s celebrate that you overcame it.

I think we don’t often give ourselves time to sit in those victories. It helped me acknowledge my strength and appreciate the role my community played in helping me get through.

Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the impact of your foundation and your book on the wider survivorship community?

I want to leave a legacy of resilience and triumph after trauma. Trauma doesn’t define you — it’s just an obstacle in the way that you can push aside. You have to use your tools, speak up, and ask for help. Nobody wins by wearing the Superwoman cape all the time. You’ve got to be able to take that thing off and connect with others.

That’s the legacy I want to leave: one of unity. Trauma doesn’t have to isolate us — it can bring us together. Not in a trauma-bonding way, but in a way where we share what we’ve learned. Nobody should have to go through this alone. You don’t earn extra points for suffering in silence. Just connect. Be transparent. You never know who you might help.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey, work, or message for readers?

Yes — self-advocacy is everything. You’ll have a care team and support, but no one will advocate for you like you. If something feels wrong, say something. If you’re not being heard, keep saying something.

I always say, I might still have my right breast if I had pushed harder. But a lot of us experience white coat syndrome. We don’t ask the right questions — because we don’t even know what to ask — and we may not have anyone to help us figure it out. Reach out. Connect with groups — mine or others in your community. Ask, what questions should I be asking? Or, can you go with me? Can you help me write some questions down? Because nobody is going to be an advocate for you like yourself.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness

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