Exploring Life & Business with Julie Rudman of The Breast Cancer Club

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Rudman.

Hi Julie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Sure! I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2023, and I quickly realized how hard having cancer was and how few resources there were in Kansas City to support the community. I founded The Breast Cancer Club later that year to connect patients and survivors to the people, places and things that will make their journey easier.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I mean, yes, pretty smooth, actually! I don’t have anything to compare it to because I’ve never done this before, but from what people tell me we have accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. I have to give the credit to the good people of Kansas City who have shared their knowledge and leveraged their connections to help advance our mission.

If there is a struggle, it’s a personal one. I’m very passionate about the work I’m doing, so sometimes I have a hard time turning it off. I have to remind myself that my actual job is to do everything I can to stay healthy, because unfortunately cancer can come back. Every day I need to make space for exercise, healthy food, personal relationships and plenty of sleep in order to minimize the issues caused by my cancer drug and lower my risk of recurrence. I had good practices in place before all this, which is helpful.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Breast Cancer Club?
The first thing you’ll notice about The Breast Cancer Club is that there’s no pink and no pink ribbon! Pink is triggering to a lot of breast cancer patients and survivors, and I’m one of them. Instead, our logo uses five different skin tones, side by side in equal measure, to reflect our pursuit of health equity in everything we do. I get a lot of positive feedback on our branding, not just from patients but also from people who work in healthcare. They get pretty sick of pink. They’re always like, “Oh, thank God!” when they see our materials.

The major accomplishment of our first year was launching our website, thebreastcancerclub.org. It’s a one-stop shop for all things breast cancer in Kansas City, and it displays in over 100 languages. We have a social network as well as communication tools, expert video content, links to local resources, and more. The most popular feature is our discount section. We negotiate discounts at businesses all around Kansas City that offer products or services that might be helpful during or after breast cancer. We currently have around 100 locations where our members can save money. We also have a monthly sweepstakes for 10% off groceries for an entire month at one of 25 participating area grocery stores.

In addition to the website, we are out in the community working to raise rates of screening and lower the stigma of breast cancer. We meet people where they are by bringing mobile breast cancer screening to them at their community events and gathering spots.

Our latest initiative is a an ongoing partnership with Goodwill Industries of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. Goodwill is now accepting drop-offs of gently used breast cancer supplies and bras for us at their 16 metro KC locations so that we can give them out for free to people who can’t afford them.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Best: We are good Midwestern folks.
Least: We don’t have mountains or beaches, but then again KC would be unaffordable if we had mountains or beaches so I’m good!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thebreastcancerclub.org
• Instagram: the_breastcancerclub
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-rudman-36474b2a3/