Barbara Pecci at a Women’s Table event…

Life After Diagnosis 

How Breast Cancer Shaped a Woman & Created an Opportunity for Community

Life After Diagnosis: 

How Breast Cancer Shaped a Woman & Created an Opportunity for Community

Even on an overcast day, the office of Barbara Pecci is filled with a levity that brings to mind cloudless skies and the gentle warmth of a late spring afternoon. Laughter comes more easily as one discusses matters of The Women’s Table. Here, one can see how relationships are at the heart of the mission. It’s no surprise that Barbara brings this energy to her workspace, but what may come as a surprise is that, beneath this light and bubbly demeanor is the awe-inspiring resilience of a woman who has braved the challenges of three encounters with breast cancer. As a three-time survivor, she knows the countless hurdles every patient will encounter, and so she volunteers for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

When she began her work as Director of the Women’s Table last year, she saw this new position as an opportunity to provide other communities of women with the insight and knowledge she has gleaned from her own personal challenges.

On April 30th, 2025, Barbara will be hosting another afternoon centered around mentorship, sharing, and reflection for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Entitled “After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Finding your New Normal,” the event strives to do precisely that: provide women with a launching pad to find a new rhythm, a new “normal,” in their new world. How do you find normality and balance after such a massive hurdle? Come to the Women’s Table for community, guidance, and possibly even a little laughter.

Just like that, with her relentless optimism, she took misfortune and molded it into opportunity.  

“The first thought I had when I went to see her was, oh, my God, this is the first time she’s meeting me, and this is what she has to tell me! That poor thing!”

The Women’s Table strives to offer programs and services designed to meet the underserved needs of women in real-time, and this new program is a prime example. As the needs of the community evolve, the Women’s Table’s offerings evolve to meet them…