( ENSPIRE Community Spotlight ) Using Music to Advocate for Breast Cancer
ENSPIRE contributor: Mayleen Marrero
A multi-talented resident of the DMV, Rachel Burns is a rising star in the pop music scene and a passionate advocate for breast cancer, particularly since she overcame the illness herself. This vocal activist is a change agent whose voice shines as a beacon of hope. Rachel, who has become recognized for her distinctive vocal style and eclectic aesthetic, skillfully combines her deep devotion to breast cancer awareness and women’s liberation with the world of pop music. She is ready to enthrall audiences with her forthcoming tour and new music release, having completely embraced her passion for music. She was nominated for Best Pop Album at The Musicianship’s Wammie Award earlier this year.
Besides being an incredible performer, Rachel is a co-founder of the nonprofit group #CancerCulture, which assists breast cancer patients and survivors, and a devoted advocate for breast cancer. Rachel received a Stage III breast cancer diagnosis in 2013. She had to put her singing career on hold after discovering her diagnosis so she could undergo a challenging nine months of chemotherapy. She became even more passionate and devoted to many things after surviving breast cancer but with a lot more purpose now.
Besides giving her performances a deeper meaning transcending the stage, Rachel uses her platform to advocate for people impacted by the illness. Since 2017, Rachel and #CancerCulture have participated in numerous fashion shows, concerts, and fundraising events. Some of these events include a fundraising fashion show that she organized in Milan, Italy this year, a show that took place during New York Fashion Week, and her yearly “Living My Breast Life” show that takes place in the DC area.
Rachel has said “I think it’s important for women’s voices to be heard because we were conditioned for many generations to have our voice sent through our male counterpart… men took credit for a lot of our ideas through history,” Rachel states. “It’s about time for us to stop allowing the man to take charge and use our voices and not be afraid of it, and not be shy about letting people know our opinions because our opinions matter.”
Rachel’s music is a celebration of resilience, self-love, and women’s strength, providing a new and inspiring viewpoint to the pop genre. Given that Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, and other artists have been among her influences, this notion is also quite relevant to her “What a Nasty Woman” band! Her music is just one part of her embodiment of women’s empowerment; her band members also feel it. The band “What a Nasty Woman” is led by four female lead singers and consists of seven other musicians, nearly all from Washington, DC. Since they were 13 years old, she and her band have been singing together, and because of their close relationship, the audience and every show feel like family.
Multifaceted pop singer Rachel Burns has become known for her unwavering and undeniable commitment to women’s empowerment, breast cancer activism, and joy-sharing. With every inspiring song she sings, Rachel is set to transform the mainstream music scene completely. Her upcoming performances offer an experience that highlights her dedication to having a positive impact on her community while also showcasing her amazing musical talent.
ENSPIRE had the privilege of interviewing Rachel Burns, and this is what she had to say:
What are some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Breast Cancer that you think need to be addressed?
“Because there is so much attention focused on Breast Cancer Awareness, many people think that breast cancer is cured. The reality is the same number of people die from the disease today as they did in the 1970s when awareness campaigns began – some studies show more people are dying today from the disease. Also, early-stage patients (stages 0-3) are rarely informed that once treatment is over. One in three early-stage patients will reoccur at Stage 4, Metastatic disease – which is a terminal outcome. So, despite all of the attention and research breast cancer receives, it still is a disease that kills.”
What role do you believe advocacy and community engagement play in improving outcomes for individuals with Breast Cancer?
“I believe the more people who speak about their individual experiences bring more funding for research and, hopefully, the cure. Also, it is essential to hear all of the voices and perspectives of patients. There is still very much a disparity in care when it comes to race and class in this country. Women of color have a much higher rate of passing away from this disease due to the lack of care and options presented to them for care. This is so troubling to me, and supporting and hearing the stories of women of color in our community is the first step to bringing awareness and making change.”
How do you collaborate with healthcare providers, researchers, and other stakeholders in the fight against Breast Cancer?
“Every year I attend conferences to hear about the latest drugs and treatment options and I speak directly to the pharma about the effects their products have on women I know and myself. I also support many cancer non-profits that give to research and support of patients.”
How can people support or get involved in your advocacy efforts for Breast Cancer awareness and support?
“Our non-profit, Cancer Culture, supports patients by providing a platform to express and share their stories and establishing community among patients at life-changing retreats. We also celebrate patients through transformational experiences, whether strutting the runway at Fashion Week in New York or Milan or performing on stage at our Living My Breast Life concerts. All of our work taps into a moment of vulnerability for patients, and we believe that positive, uplifting, and supportive experiences during a moment of vulnerability are where true healing and powerful transformation start.”
What are some of the key messages you hope to spread to others about Breast Cancer?
“Community brings power. Sharing and learning from one another allows growth and knowledge to spread among others. Cancer is such a life-changing event that most people who have never experienced it can not understand the depth of change it brings, so having supportive fellow patients to uplift and support one another can lead to a real positive change in someone’s life. Although cancer is a terrible thief for us, it also teaches us to live in the moment and honor death in a much more profound way.”
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