Rooted in Hope, Growing Through Community
Friends of B the Light,
We are proud to share our very first Annual Report! This milestone reflects a year of incredible growth and a community full of heart. The number of survivors we support continues to rise, and we are deeply honored to walk alongside them. Their strength inspires everything we do.
As we grow, so does the need for funding. The demand for our programs is beginning to outpace our resources, and your support is more critical than ever.
Click HERE to view our Annual Report.
Thank you for believing in our mission and in the survivors we serve.
A special thank you to Kate Hansen of Blue Sun Designs, a breast cancer survivor and participant in B the Light programming, for beautifully designing our Annual Report.
Survivor Spotlight: Angie
For Angie, a breast cancer diagnosis in March 2023 came after months of battling other health issues. “I wasn’t even that surprised when I was told it was cancer," she shared. "There’s been so much cancer in my family that I figured it was a matter of when, not if.” What was meant to be a simple lumpectomy quickly escalated into multiple surgeries, months of chemotherapy, and eventually, radiation and a hysterectomy. “The day I learned all of this was the day that I cried the most. I absolutely love my work, and I was terrified I might not see my daughter do all the amazing things she’ll do in life."
The physical toll was only part of the battle. Frequent hydration treatments, a thyroid biopsy, and the devastating loss of a brother to cancer during her own treatment made the journey even heavier. “The nurses became like family, holding my hand and crying with me,” Angie said. “Beside my daughter and my dad, they were my support system.” Still, she found gratitude in unexpected places. "The silver lining was precious time with my daughter and Dad, and laughter at the cancer center. Laughter truly was the best medicine.”
Throughout her treatments, Angie found a unique way to bring light and smiles into heavy days—through her colorful wigs. “Every time someone smiled when they saw one of my bright wigs, it brought joy to my heart," she said. Choosing fun, vibrant wigs helped her reclaim a little control, express her spirit, and spread happiness even on the hardest days. Those small moments of connection, she said, were powerful reminders that she was still herself—full of life and color.
It was during this time that Angie first heard about B the Light. After her hysterectomy, on a day when even getting out of bed was a struggle, she received a Hope Handbag. “I was touched that someone thought of me," she remembered. "I tucked B the Light away in my heart for a little while.” When she was ready to step back into the world, Angie attended her first Hope Huddle. “I was so anxious, but the other ladies called me right over. It took a few Huddles and a retreat before I realized how much people cared about my story.” Face-to-face connection, hugs, laughter, and real conversations began to lift the heavy shell she hadn't realized she'd built around herself.
Through B the Light, Angie found more than support—she found healing. "My B the Light sisters don’t look at me with pity. They help me feel normal," she shared. "They give real advice, based on their own experiences, not commercials." Programs like Hope Huddles, Cooking Beyond Cancer, and ReLight Retreats gave Angie the tools she needed to heal both body and soul. “Some of my best pain-free sleep comes after our retreats. Cooking classes mean healthy meals while I’m working part-time and struggling to pay bills. I appreciate it more than I can put into words."
Today, Angie continues to draw strength from her survivor sisters. "I need to hear about those who continue to survive years after treatment. It gives me hope." She also dreams of more support for family members like her daughter, who walked every step of the journey with her.
When asked what advice she would give others, Angie’s words are powerful: “Advocate for yourself. Resting is not being lazy—it’s you working at healing. And get into a support group like B the Light as soon as you can. It can change everything.”
100 Women Who Care
We are incredibly honored and grateful to have been selected by 100 Women Who Care New Ulm Area as the recipient of this donation!
This beautiful group of women gathers twice a year with a shared purpose: to make a meaningful impact on local nonprofits. Their generosity is a shining example of the power of community, and this support couldn’t have come at a more meaningful time.
For organizations like B the Light, opportunities like this are absolutely critical. These funds allow us to continue showing up for breast cancer survivors through nourishing meals, movement, connection, retreats, and the everyday acts of hope that define our mission.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to each and every woman in this group. Your compassion and collective giving spirits are truly lighting the way for survivors in our region.
Read more about our story HERE.
Ways to Support B the Light
Mark your calendars! We have some amazing events coming up, and we’d love to see you there:
✨ Light the Night Luminary Walk – This special evening at Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery is a chance to honor those in the fight, celebrate survivorship, and remember those we've lost. We would love to see you at one of our Luminary Pop-Up events, where you can decorate your Luminary bag for $10, as well as sponsorship opportunities to help light the way.
May 7th: 4 - 6 pm at Mankato Community Education
May 8th: 5 - 8 pm at Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery
May 10th: 9 - 11 am at YWCA Mother’s Day 5k at Sibley Park
Due to this being a fundraiser, all luminary bags for this event must be purchased through B the Light.
More details can be found on our CALENDAR.
✨ Birdies for Breast Cancer – We’re hosting our first-ever Birdies for Breast Cancer golf tournament at New Ulm Country Club on Monday, June 30th! We're so excited to have you join us for a fantastic day of golf, games, and giving back! This tournament will be played in a scramble format, with teams of four playing 18 holes in support of local breast cancer survivors.
Please note that the entry fee is non-refundable. In case of inclement weather, the tournament will not be rescheduled. Proceeds benefit breast cancer survivors and thrivers through B the Light programming.
Start gathering your team now and register HERE.
Program Highlights
Honoring Past & Present: Recognizing the Messy Middle
Survivors worked with Jennifer Reece to navigate the mental and emotional aspects of survivorship. Healing isn’t just about the body—it’s about the mind and soul, too.
Cooking Beyond Cancer
At our recent Cooking Beyond Cancer classes, breast cancer survivors gathered to learn how to prepare Chicken Risotto. Guided by a local chef, Kelsey Bigbee, with Care Doula LLC, they explored techniques for creating rich, wholesome flavors using clean, simple ingredients.
ReLight Retreat: Flourish
Our recent Flourish retreat offered survivors a peaceful space to pause, reconnect, and rediscover themselves alongside a supportive sisterhood. Through reflection, intention-setting, and bold “I am” declarations, they focused on claiming their desires, living with intention, and shaping a more empowered self-concept. It was a joyful, tender, and transformative experience—just what many of them needed.
Survival Fitness: Strength, Resilience & Community
Our second session of 2025 wrapped up in April, and we couldn’t be more proud of the survivors who showed up with determination and heart. Thanks to a generous grant from the Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation, we were able to continue offering this program in New Ulm.
Introducing Soulful Stretch
We’re excited to offer Soulful Stretch each month in both New Ulm and Mankato! This gentle, restorative yoga class is designed specifically for breast cancer survivors to nurture the body, mind, and spirit.
We can’t wait to see you at an upcoming event, and as always, thank you for being part of the B the Light family!
Amber Melby (Survivor, Founder & President) & Laura Doyen (Executive Director)
