Turning Scars Into Strength: How Tata Tuesdays Was Born in the Middle of My Pain

By Ronda Brunson

I can pinpoint the exact day I stepped into my full power—March 10, 2023. The day after my double mastectomy, while most people would have been focused solely on healing, I birthed my nonprofit, Tata Tuesdays.

That may sound impossible, even reckless. But to me, it was urgent. The breast cancer world can feel like a maze—confusing medical language, fast-moving treatment timelines, and emotional landmines at every turn. I had just walked that path myself, and I knew too many women were being left to navigate it alone. I couldn’t shake the thought: If I don’t do something now, how many more will feel this lost and unsupported?

Tata Tuesdays became my answer—a safe, vibrant space for women impacted by breast cancer. We call ourselves Breastfriends, because it’s more than support. It’s sisterhood. Our mission bridges the social experience, the sisterhood, and the science—ensuring women not only feel emotionally safe but also medically informed.

From day one, I refused to let this be another feel-good nonprofit with surface-level impact. We became a prep station for those newly diagnosed, a healing station for those in treatment, and a well for those who’ve received the all-clear but still need occasional support. We talk about everything—scans, side effects, dating after diagnosis, nutrition, and the hard truth about disparities in breast cancer outcomes for Black women.

Stepping into my full power meant stepping into the uncomfortable. I’ve stood in rooms where I was the only patient voice among researchers. I’ve learned the science behind the disease so I can explain it in plain language to my community. I’ve spoken boldly about funding inequities, knowing it might make some partners uncomfortable. I’ve sat with women through chemo, attended funerals, and then turned around to advocate for policy changes that could have saved those lives.

The victories have been powerful. We’ve hosted events like Boobs N Bingo®, a fame I patented raising awareness and funds while making education fun. We’ve walked alongside women through their darkest days, celebrating milestones like bell-ringings and survivorship anniversaries. We’ve partnered with hospitals, researchers, and other organizations to close gaps in care. We’ve trained Breastfriends to attend medical appointments with women—translating jargon, asking the right questions, and empowering them to make informed decisions.

On paper, it may look like I simply launched a nonprofit. But stepping into my full power has been about much more than that. It’s about transforming my personal pain into a platform for collective healing. It’s about making sure every woman we touch leaves feeling stronger, more informed, and less alone than when we met her.

The truth is, power doesn’t always arrive in a perfect moment. It often shows up in the mess—in the middle of pain, fear, and uncertainty. On March 10, 2023, I didn’t have a grand strategy. I had a calling. I answered it. 

And every day since, I’ve watched it grow into something bigger than me.

Today, Tata Tuesdays is more than an organization—it’s a movement. We’re building an army of informed, connected, and unshakable Breastfriends who know that together, we are equipped for anything.

I’m Ronda Brunson—LeadHER of Tata Tuesdays, survivor, advocate, and proud founder of the place where sisterhood meets science.

Connect With Ronda

www.breastfriendsunite.com

@tatatuesdays