About this Event
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In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mikey’s Miracle Foundation, Inc. invites you to Beyond the Pink: Stories of Strength, Hope & Healing, an afternoon centered on breast health education, survivor voices, and community connection.
This gathering brings together trusted medical insight and personal experiences in a welcoming space for patients, survivors, caregivers, families, advocates, and community members. Guests will receive practical information about breast health and screening, hear powerful stories from women impacted by cancer, connect with helpful resources, and share in conversations rooted in strength, hope, and healing.
Beyond the Pink creates space to talk openly about the realities of breast cancer, from prevention and early detection to treatment, survivorship, advocacy, and the support people need throughout their journey.
Featured Speaker:
Dawn Johnson Leonard, MD, FACS
Breast Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Dawn Johnson Leonard is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Leonard completed her medical school and general surgery training at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., followed by a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at Washington Hospital Center.
Throughout her career, Dr. Leonard has held leadership roles in breast care and breast surgery at several healthcare institutions, including serving as Medical Director of Breast Care and Chief of Breast Surgery. Her work has focused on building breast health programs, expanding access to care, advancing innovation, and providing education within the communities she serves.
After serving as Chief of Breast Surgery at ChristianaCare, Dr. Leonard returned home to Montgomery County, Maryland, to create a new breast care program for Holy Cross Health at the Holy Cross Health Cancer Center. Her commitment to breast health extends beyond clinical care through community education and service.
Special Guest:
Desi Waters
Three-Time Cancer Survivor | Cancer Advocate | Podcast Host | Collaborative Author
Desi Waters is a three-time cancer survivor, cancer advocate, podcast host, and collaborative author dedicated to helping patients, caregivers, survivors, and loved ones navigate cancer with clarity, hope, and confidence. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, she brings compassion, credibility, and the strength of lived experience to her advocacy.
Through her podcast, Cancer Unmasked 360, Desi creates space for honest conversations with patients, survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, support organizations, and advocates. Her work connects people with practical resources, encouragement, and perspectives from across the cancer community.
Desi is also a collaborative author of When Cancer Knocks At Your Door, a book centered on resilience, purpose, inner strength, and moving forward after a cancer diagnosis.
More featured speakers and special guests will be announced this week. Stay tuned as we introduce the voices joining us for Beyond the Pink.
What to Expect
- Medical Education: Practical information from healthcare professionals on breast health, screening, prevention, treatment, and survivorship.
- Survivor Stories: Personal experiences that speak to resilience, healing, advocacy, family, and life during and after cancer.
- Community Connection: Conversations, resources, and opportunities to connect with individuals, families, survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates.
- Interactive Discussion: An opportunity to learn, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation around breast health and the cancer experience.
- Helpful Resources: Information attendees can use to support their own breast health or help a loved one navigating cancer.
The program is designed to combine professional breast health education with the lived experiences of women who understand the cancer journey firsthand.
Who Should Attend
Beyond the Pink is open to women of all ages, cancer patients, breast cancer survivors, caregivers, family members, advocates, healthcare professionals, and community members seeking reliable information, encouragement, resources, and connection.
You do not need to have a personal history of breast cancer to attend. If you want to learn more about breast health, better support someone you love, hear from survivors, or connect with others in the community, you are welcome in the room.
Join Mikey’s Miracle Foundation for an afternoon that centers the people behind the pink ribbon, from the medical information that can support informed health decisions to the personal stories that remind us of the strength found in community.
Come ready to learn. Come ready to listen. Come ready to connect.
Reserve your ticket today and invite someone who should be in the room with you.
About Mikey’s Miracle Foundation, Inc.
Mikey’s Miracle Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing sustainable programs and support services that improve the quality of life for individuals receiving cancer treatment and their families. The Foundation’s programs include nutrition and meal planning, appointment transportation, family caregiver support, health and wellness services, and community outreach and education.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Goldfinch Room at Whitehall Mill, 3300 Clipper Mill Road, Baltimore, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.