Artist and Breast Cancer Patient Team Up to Remind You to “Feel It On the First”

Brooke Gordon and Chelsie Tamms initially met via FemmeBought during the pandemic as they were both looking to surround themselves with supportive small business friends. Fast forward five years and Brooke reached out to Chelsie about working together on a special “Feel it on the first” design that Brooke could share at the beginning of each month. Due to Brooke’s intense breast cancer treatments and their side effects, the project was put on the back burner. Inspired by Brooke’s initial request, Chelsie decided to create a surprise design for Brooke to cheer her up during treatment and help amplify her advocacy work.

Below you’ll find a look at the design created as well as more about Brooke, her journey with cancer, and advocacy work.

Brooke early in her chemo journey wearing a shirt that her sister made her that says "I've got this"

Tell me a little about yourself, Brooke.

I’m Brooke Gordon, a speaker and leadership development trainer specializing in helping managers and business owners effectively respond to sudden change, strengthen their teams, and lead with impact. I create practical workshops and tools that make it easier to set priorities, adapt during transitions, and build long-term capacity. My mission is to equip leaders with strategies that create thriving teams and stronger communities.

Brooke sharing the workbook she created with her parents

How did you find out you had breast cancer?

I was too young to be eligible for a mammogram but have done self-exams throughout my adult life, so it was a complete shock when I woke up on vacation in June 2024 to find my nipple facing the WRONG WAY! I immediately started feeling around but I didn't feel anything. The tumour had developed behind my nipple, which is why it was harder to feel. I am grateful that my doctor took it very seriously. She scheduled me for biopsy and that confirmed the diagnosis.

Brooke in her favorite breast cancer hoodie with a sloth mug (because rest is important)

What has surprised you most throughout your cancer journey?

I have spent a lot of time working on perspective and framing because words matter. It started with how I would describe my path back to full health. I envisioned walking across hot coals - if you keep your eyes on the horizon you won't get burned but if you look down, you'll pause and be injured. I keep my eyes on my goal - to be strong again and I started using the expression 🔥 journey.

What surprised me the most along the way is how important it is to be connected to others. It is their belief in me, their expressions of love and care, and their regular check-ins that have been so deeply meaningful. I frequently reread messages and they sustain me through the very hardest days when I’ve felt so sick from treatment.

Brooke hosting a virtual workshop

Why is advocacy work important to you? What do you wish everyone knew about breast cancer, its treatment and detection?

Advocacy for more research and understanding patient experiences is incredibly important to me for a few reasons; the first being that there are at least 50 different types of breast cancer and each requires it's own unique combination of treatments. Add in the complexity of an individual's health and the stage of disease (how much the cancer has spread within the body), and it starts to make more sense when we hear that every journey is unique.

The type of cancer I was diagnosed with is known to spread easily and grow quickly. As a result, the treatment plan to support my body in healing has been extensive, and the effects have been harsh and long lasting. Regardless, I know that I am - and I will be okay - because of advances in research in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery techniques, radiation technology and hormone therapy.

There has been significant progress but there is so much more work that needs to be done, particularly in understanding the causes.

Brooke in her power pose after she shaved her head

What are some of your short and long term goals?

I am deeply grateful that there was no evidence of cancer in my lymph nodes because it means my odds of living to be an old woman are higher. That is my primary long term goal!

Short term, being a full time patient has required significant patience because many days I have been very slow moving and needed a lot of rest. As someone who is a high achiever, this has been a real and tangible challenge.

I created a workbook to help me and my family reflect on the past year, shift our perspective, and set meaningful goals for the seasons ahead. They loved it so much that they asked me to sell copies to their friends - and this became the inspiration to start a fundraiser.

The Seasonal Blueprint is your personal guide to creating a year filled with purpose, clarity, and confidence. My goal is to help others craft their vision for an extraordinary year, while benefiting those who come after me by advancing life saving research.

I set a goal of selling 100 copies, and when we accomplished that I set a goal of raising $5,000. So far we have raised over C$6,600 so I stopped limiting myself with goals! Instead I've been thinking about what will go into next year's edition and possibly creating a workshop to guide people through the thinking work.

Feel it on the first design (Multicolor)

4’’ Feel it on the first sticker - Free with all Lettering Works orders in October, while supplies last

Purchase here or wholesale here (US Shipping Only)

Why did you want the artwork to say "Feel it on the First"?

Early detection of cancer is the most important factor for success, which starts with self-exams and speaking to your doctor when something about your body is different. However, we know that there are also natural and normal changes in our breasts throughout the month - it's part of why women have been dismissed in the past.

"Feel it on the first" is a literal call to action to do a self-exam on the first day of each month. The consistent timing can help to identify persistent changes, and it's a wonderful opportunity for us to pause and be present with ourselves.

Why is this artwork meaningful to you? How do you plan to use it?

The artwork is meaningful because I had somehow thought that cancer would be a "pea-sized, round" lump. Instead, I didn't feel anything, and the tumour was a 1.5" oval. This artwork spoke to how chaotic and random cancer cells can be. It captures the idea that the shape of a tumour may not be what you anticipated. My intention is to post the artwork on the first of each month as a reminder to "feel it on the first"!

Feel it on the first design in Brooke’s brand colors

Although it may have been a little untraditional, what was the process of working with Lettering Works like?

When I first reached out with the idea for this project I had just started radiation, but then the symptoms became overwhelming and I had to put our conversation on pause. When Chelsie sent me the concept she'd been exploring for fun, I almost missed the email.

While the design felt outside my brand voice, I was excited when she revised the elements into my brand colors. The artwork is perfect because I know it will stand out as a post on my feed and (hopefully) inspire followers to pause and read the caption!

Learn more about Brooke Gordon and her fundraising efforts on her website, Instagram @brookegordon_ca, LinkedIn, or her Seasonal Blueprint Fundraiser.

If you are US-based, you can purchase the Feel it on the First stickers via Lettering Works website here or via Faire for wholesale here.