Conversation with Ricki Fairley: Addressing Black Breast Cancer as a Unique Disease and Clinical Trials

Ricki Fairley

We're honored to welcome Ricki Fairley, Co-Founder and CEO of Touch, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, to "Love Letters to Our Bodies."

As a triple negative breast cancer survivor and thriver, Ricki has transformed her personal experience into powerful advocacy that's changing the landscape of Black breast health. Through Touch, she's building a movement that brings together patients, survivors, healthcare professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies to work collaboratively toward one critical goal: eradicating Black breast cancer.

In this conversation, we explore the alarming disparities that make Black women 40% more likely to die from breast cancer despite lower incidence rates, and why addressing Black breast cancer as a unique disease state is essential. Ricki shares how Touch's innovative programs—from the #BlackDataMatters initiative and the groundbreaking SAMBAI global research project to the When We Tri(al) Movement and 24/7 survivor-led nurse navigation—are creating pathways to better outcomes.

LEFT: Image of a Black patient Lymph Node with Tumor; RIGHT: Image of White patient Lymph Node with Tumor

We discuss the power of community through Touch's "Blesstie" sisterhood, the importance of reaching young Black women through HBCU partnerships and peer education, and why clinical trial participation can be a form of empowerment rather than extraction.

Ricki's work reminds us that health equity requires more than awareness—it demands collaborative action, accountability, and culturally responsive care that honors the lived experiences of Black women.

Gwendolyn Mitchell in conversation with Ricki Fairley

Join us for this vital conversation about advocacy, healing, and the transformative power of community in the fight for Black breast health.

Listen to this full episode of the "Love Letters to Our Bodies" podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts.

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About Love Letters to Our Bodies

Love Letters to Our Bodies is a podcast exploring holistic approaches to healing, wellness, and self-care. Hosted by Gwendolyn, Reiki Master and founder of Moyo Institute, each episode features conversations with healers, practitioners, and survivors who share their wisdom on mind-body-spirit wellness. The podcast is committed to health equity and making holistic healing accessible to all communities.