STUDIES SHOW: "WOMEN WHO ARE INVOLVED IN SOCIALLY ACTIVE SUPPORT GROUPS HAVE BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES"
"WE LIFT YOU UP" is a 501c3 public charity dedicated to emotional healing programs for women diagnosed with cancer. The fund makes several programs available to women in our community. We are a sisterhood of support, designed around empowering group experiences that are alternatives to traditional cancer survivor support groups. We provide inspiring and loving experiences, offering tools to help women live their best lives so they can find purpose and passion after a cancer diagnosis. Women will be surrounded by other women who "get it". Rediscovering Strength and Sisterhood: The You Night Sisterhood offers a Path Forward for Women Diagnosed with Cancer
In 2013, You Night Founder, Lisa McKenzie, embarked on a mission to address a profound and often overlooked aspect of the cancer journey: the emotional and psychological needs of women diagnosed with this life-altering disease. After witnessing the profound impact cancer had on her mother and two close friends, Lisa founded the You Night Empowering Events with a heartfelt desire to make a difference in the lives of those diagnosed. Recognizing that cancer affects nearly everyone, Lisa wasn’t sure exactly how to help, but she knew she wanted to bring joy and light back into the lives of those she loved. What began as a simple gesture of compassion soon revealed a deep, often overlooked need in the treatment process—the emotional side of healing. Without realizing it at the time, Lisa was creating year-round program that would grow to support thousands, not only in her hometown of the greater New Orleans area but also across the United States. Cancer doesn’t just attack the body; it can also erode a woman’s sense of self. The diagnosis can overshadow her identity, causing her to lose sight of her beauty, peace, power, and joy. That’s where You Night programs come in. Supported by donations to You Night’s “We Lift You Up” fund, You Night’s programs are more than just support—it’s a sisterhood, a lifeline that provides not only understanding but also a path forward. You Night’s approach is unique, bringing together 25 women at a time for a six-month empowerment program. The multi-faceted program is meticulously crafted with layered experiences that provide a safe and nurturing environment, helping participants discover strength and camaraderie. The journey begins with You Night’s “Candle Pass”, a powerful introduction where participants meet for the first time and share their stories—such as what type of cancer they’ve been diagnosed with, the stage of their illness, and how they are coping emotionally. This moment of vulnerability creates a baseline of understanding and connection. Whether newly diagnosed or free of disease, each woman has heard the words "you have cancer," which unites them in a shared, life-altering experience. Following the Candle Pass, participants engage in a therapeutic art program created by Lisa McKenzie called “ScART”. Short for "scar art", this innovative group experience encourages women to analyze their feelings related to their scars via a thought-provoking homework assignment, and then participants paint their surgical or emotional scars on canvas, viewing them through a new, empowering lens. ScART celebrates the amazing healing capacity of the human body, reminding participants that scars are not just remnants of pain but allies in their journey of healing. The process also emphasizes that everyone carries scars, and that self-acceptance and self-love are vital to emotional well-being. Next in their journey is You Night’s international award-winning program called “Story Crafting” - a six-month small group experience where participants follow a unique story-writing formula to deconstruct a traumatic life event and reconstruct it into a powerful narrative. This process is profoundly therapeutic, helping women articulate their experiences and release the emotional weight of their trauma. As these stories take shape, bonds within the group strengthen, creating a supportive and empowering community. These stories can be heard on You NIght’s YouTube Channel and on their podcast, called “Still I Rise”. Examples of these can be found on You Night’s website: www.younightevents.com (under the Programs tab). To deepen these connections, we organize a sleepover retreat—a chance for participants to relax, unwind, and get to know each other away from the stresses of daily life. This retreat is followed by a professional makeover and portrait session, where the women are celebrated and their renewed sense of self is captured in stunning photographs. Helping women remember their true inner and outer beauty - especially when battling a disease - is beautiful to watch unfold. These portraits are not only shared on social media but also showcased at our annual gala, a highlight of the program. The gala - held annually with friends, family members, physicians and the community in attendance - is where everything comes together. Walking the runway in front of friends and family, they celebrate their journey in a symbolic graduation—making a bold statement to the world that cancer did not win. To date, thousands of women have been gifted the emotional healing programs that You Night provides, making the organization one of the largest cancer survivor sisterhoods in the United States. You Night is more than just a support group—we are a movement of empowered women, reclaiming their lives and their stories. Together, we can show others who are diagnosed that life after a cancer diagnosis is not about just surviving—it can include thriving. For a list of all of our partner sponsors, visit: www.younightevents.com
