by Lisa Barreto | Feb 11, 2026 | Lisa Barreto
When we think of Kathy Bates, we think of strength. Power. Presence. An Academy Award-winning actress whose performances are unforgettable. But perhaps her most meaningful role has unfolded off-screen. After surviving ovarian cancer in 2003 and later breast cancer in...
by Lisa Barreto | Aug 12, 2025 | Lisa Barreto
A British historical drama film, “The Dig” (2021) had me focus in on one particular quote. The film is about the 1939 archaeological excavation of Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, England. A woman facing her mortality tells archaeologist Basil Brown. We die. We die and we...
by Lisa Barreto | Aug 4, 2025 | Lisa Barreto
There are times when those attending a Ribbons of Life BreastFest, art class or special event do not get to see what is happening in the background. When serving women and their families with breast cancer behind the scenes, a small group of dedicated, professional...
by Lisa Barreto | Jan 30, 2024 | Lisa Barreto
Marilyn Martin appeared at a Ribbons of Life (“ROL”) breakfast (aka “Breast Fest”). In approaching her, she told me she couldn’t smile . She apologized while telling me that her teeth were rotting. Apologize?” I asked. “Congratulations for taking the first step....
by Lisa Barreto | Nov 15, 2023 | Lisa Barreto
With the physical death of pop culture phenomenon Suzanne Somers as a result of breast cancer; and with the physical death of famed singer and breast cancer advocate Olivia Newton John; and with the physical death of American Surgeon, author and prominent advocate of...
by Lisa Barreto | Jan 26, 2023 | Lisa Barreto
The news wasn’t good. “Olivia Newton-John has died.” I didn’t know what to feel. Her first breast cancer (“b.c.) diagnosis came in 1992. She had a recurrence in 2013. And another recurrence in 2017. At age 68, the cancer had spread to her bones and progressed to a...
by Lisa Barreto | Jan 26, 2023 | Lisa Barreto
Last October, I attended a Zentangle art conference in Niagara-On-the-Lake in Canada and also spent some quality time with our cousins who lived so close to where the conference was being held. Bob and I (and I hope our cousins) had a blast! Then, on the morning we...
by Lisa Barreto | Jul 4, 2022 | Lisa Barreto
Yesterday marked the three-year anniversary of our move to the seacoast of New Hampshire. That July 1st, I signed the papers and got the key. On July 2nd, Bob and Rocky arrived after their cross-country trip. And on July 3rd, we drove to our new home to see it before...
by Lisa Barreto | Oct 24, 2021 | Lisa Barreto
It’s hard for me to write about Suz in past tense. It seems strange that the very disease that she died from brought us together. Two years into my retirement after moving from Ventura to New Hampshire’s seacoast, I remember those meaningful moments...
