What happens when the preventative surgery you chose to avoid cancer reveals you already have it? 
 
In this episode of "Every Soul Has a Story," Dara Levan welcomes author Gila Pfeffer, whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through losing both parents to cancer at a young age and her own battle with breast cancer. With refreshing candor and signature wit, Gila shares how her Orthodox Jewish identity shaped her experiences and how becoming a mother to four children galvanized her commitment to preventative healthcare - ultimately saving her life when a preventative mastectomy revealed aggressive cancer. 
 
Weaving together themes of resilience, authentic storytelling, and finding humor in life's darkest moments, Gila reflects on the profound significance of reaching age 50 - making her the first woman in four generations of her family to achieve this milestone. Her powerful metaphor of a broken mug still worth saving resonates deeply as she discusses her advocacy work and how sharing her story has inspired countless women to prioritize breast health. Like the cracked vessel on her book cover - weathered yet still holding precious contents - Gila's narrative embodies the beauty of imperfect survival. 
 
Gila Pfeffer is a Jewish American humor writer whose memoir "Nearly Departed" chronicles her journey through loss, cancer, and survival with unflinching candor and unexpected hilarity. A fifteen-year breast cancer previvor and survivor, Gila's "Feel It on the First" campaign has directly led to earlier diagnoses for countless women through its tongue-in-cheek reminders about breast health. As an Orthodox Jewish mother of four who underwent preventative mastectomy at 34 only to discover early-stage cancer, Gila's writing - featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and McSweeney's - transforms tragedy into empowerment through her signature wit. She splits her time between London, New York City, and Instagram. 
 
In This Episode:  

• (00:00) Meet Gila Pfeffer: Author of "Nearly Departed" 

• (05:26) "Making fun of something is taking your power back" 

• (08:12) What does authentic branding really mean? 

• (13:07) Breaking the cycle: First to reach 50 

• (19:11) The delicate balance of telling your truth in memoir 

• (23:51) How four children saved their mother's life 

• (29:16) Beyond the pink ribbon: Rethinking breast cancer awareness 

• (34:42) One person at a time: The impact of sharing your story 

• (38:45) The metaphor of the broken mug  

• (39:55) Closing thoughts   

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Resources: 
https://www.gilapfeffer.com/ 
@GilaPfeffer on Instagram 
Nearly Departed 
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