From Our Founder, Alma Busby-Williams

On New Year’s Eve of 2008, at 43 years old, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I immediately became overwhelmed with thoughts and fears. I needed to talk to someone who understand, but I didn’t know who to share my fears with?  So many folks are afraid of even hearing anything about cancer —it’s as if talking about it might make it more real, or like they could catch it. I struggled to find a place where I felt welcomed and supported. Traditional support groups seemed to focus on the horror stories of treatment, but what I craved was deeper connection—to talk about the emotional and social impact of cancer. I never found it. 

After my treatment I decided to become that support I once needed. I began volunteering with breast cancer organizations, later as a trainer and board member for local organizations. My work with organizations like, Women’s Cancer Resource Center, Breast Cancer Action, and ChemoCars allowed me the opportunity to provide others with the emotional and social support I had searched for. And the calls for connection kept coming. I was able to connect with people who just wanted to talk to someone who had been on a similar journey. I shared my own experiences and fears, and listened to theirs. I also talked to them about getting outside and making sure to eat healthy meals. Mainly I just wanted to let them know that they weren’t alone on their journey. Soon, I began getting calls before and after work.

I would also share my cancer experiences on social media, and friends and their friends began messaging me.

“Alma, can you reach out to my mom? She’s just been diagnosed with breast cancer and needs to find out how you made it.”

“Alma, I was diagnosed with cancer last week, and I am a wreck. I’d love to talk to you.”

Over time, I reached out to others I had supported, asking them to provide that same support to others. Eventually, I had a trusted network of caring and competent friends willing to provide a support network for others who had been diagnosed with cancer. 

And so the Root Collective was born.

Alma received her undergraduate degree from Auburn University and her Juris Doctor from New College of California School of Law. She currently works for National Audubon Society and as a Welcoming and Belonging Advisor for the North Cascades Institute. In her free time, she is often either outside looking at birds or inside looking at them from her living room couch. When she’s not at home, she is visiting and gazing at her grandson.