Testimonials
“Today marks the completion of an unbelievable journey. It was an emotional day receiving 3D tattoos that wouldn’t have been possible without your help. Cancer takes so much from us but it also provides an opportunity to feel deep gratitude for the generosity of others.
I didn’t realize just how emotional today would be. Seeing the transformation and camouflaging the scars across my chest with the tattoos was just magical. Abbie from PArlor held my hand and hugged me through the process in feeling back to my pre-surgery self. I am forever grateful for this charity providing me with this wonderful opportunity to be put back together in a way I can feel feminine again. Finding Abbie was a gift as well. I really just can’t tell you enough how thankful I am. I promise to pay it forward and give back when I can.
Thank you for everything ❤️”
— J.H.
Tattoo by Abbie @ The Parlor
“I love my tattoos! Thank you for making this all possible! I wouldn’t have done it without your support. I had 5 surgeries, chemo, radiation, and reconstruction in my journey to beat breast cancer. My scars and discoloration spots need some pretty coverings! My husband has bees so that was my request, bees and pretty flowers. My daughter’s name is Scarlett Rose so the rose is for her.”
— A.G.
Tattoo by Coniah @ Axial Studio
“I had my tattoo appointment April 29th and it went really well! Abbie was very kind and professional and made the whole experience feel like I was at a spa. Her space was super clean and comfortable and felt very peaceful. We took about an hour before starting to talk about tattoo placement and color choices and after seeing how they are healing, I think we absolutely nailed it. I feel like I got a part of myself back that was missing and I’m excited for my second appointment to go even further with details. Thank you so much Ink4Pink for supporting breast cancer and giving low income survivors a chance to feel whole again.”
— C.P.
“I was diagnosed with stage 1 2b invasive ductal carcinoma on October 4, 2018.
I had been watched for years. I was having mammograms since my mid to late 30’s. I had a precancerous lump removed when I was 27 – this was in the same breast that I ended up getting cancer in when I was 48. I do not have any of the genetics for breast cancer even though my maternal grandmother also had breast cancer before 50.
After I was diagnosed, I had a double mastectomy with immediate implants. I would later in the next four years have four other revision surgeries to try to correct swelling and pain on my left side. It was discovered I had a nerve nicked and a pec muscle damaged from my first surgery. I went through nerve injections and pec muscle injections to try to calm the pain and swelling. Nothing worked. In October of 2022, I had my implants removed and I went aesthetically flat. I was given Botox injections at the time of surgery in hopes of calming the nerve and pec muscle so I could heal.
The cherry blossom and Phoenix tattoo I got from Anne Winslow at Hellbrook Ink represent me and all I have been through. Cherry blossoms are for the fragility of life and how things can change in a heartbeat. It reminds me to love the beauty of today. The Phoenix represents me rising from the ashes through all the struggles I have been through and being stronger and feeling beautiful in who I am today.”
— M.F.
Tattoo by Anne @ Hellbrook Ink
“Once I decided against having a very involved breast reconstruction surgery it wasn’t long before I was considering a tattoo. I tried to embrace just being flat, but when I looked in the mirror, I didn’t like what I saw. I had numerous scars from a double mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, IV ports and skin changes from radiation. I came across some photos of women who had chest tattoos to cover their surgical scars. The tattoos were beautiful, and I knew this was the solution I was looking for.
I wanted my tattoo to include my favorite flower of magnolia blossoms and leaves; a sea turtle and octopus for my love of the ocean; and a Celtic design. My talented artist Tegan Beyer at 5 Monkeys Tattoo in Newmarket, NH pulled all of my ideas together. I’ve had four sessions so far and will probably need three more to complete the work.
Looking in the mirror is becoming easier. I feel like I can finally take a deep breath knowing that the vision that I’ve had for so long is actually coming true.
Thank you to Ink 4 Pink for helping to make this very important part of my breast cancer recovery possible. I am forever grateful.”
— C. L.
Tattoo by Tegan @ 5 Monkeys Tattoo
“In my journey, cancer was first evident in my nipples, so the idea of symbolically putting them back onto my body wasn’t right for me. I decided to lean into art. I knew I wanted something feminine, a healing garden of flowers. One side of my body would represent the people who loved me through this time and the other side would be just for me.
On the right: Roses and honeysuckle for my husband and daughter, an iris for my son, cosmos and marigolds for the month of my wedding.
On the left, the side where cancer first made itself known: Water lilies for the lake I grew up swimming in, gerbera daisies for my wedding bouquet, lilacs for the first scent of warmer months, morning glory and aster for the month of my birth.
Now I needed an artist. Female, stylistically right for me and experienced in scar coverage. Google brought me to Tegan Beyer at 5 Monkeys Tattoo and to a nonprofit that I had never heard of, Ink 4 Pink. I sent an inquiry to Tegan and filled out an application to have part of my healing garden sponsored by Ink 4 Pink.
Today, I am still a work in progress. I am so grateful for this art and the people who made it possible. My scars are still there but I no longer hate how they look, hidden in the leaves and flowers.”
— J.H.
Tattoo by Tegan @ 5 Monkeys Tattoo