Our Mission
At The Firefly Sisterhood is to foster one-to-one connections between women who are impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis and inspirational survivors.
What we do
The Firefly Sisterhood provides one-to-one social and emotional support to women who have been impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis. We are founded and based in the Twin Cities, MN, while most of our matches are within the Twin Cities, Greater MN, and Western Wisconsin, we can support women from coast to coast.
Whether you have just received a breast cancer diagnosis or you are decades past, The Firefly Sisterhood pairs women who not only share a similar diagnosis and treatment, but as well share common interests, personality traits, and family dynamics. We meet you where you are at within your breast cancer diagnosis and the support you are looking for.
The Firefly Sisterhood supports services are free and delivered at the time of diagnosis, during treatment, and into survivorship.
Through our efforts, our goal is a future where no woman faces breast cancer alone.
Our Staff
Amy Gallagher
Executive Director
amyg@fireflysisterhood.org, 952-428-8945
Executive Director, Amy Gallagher, comes to The Firefly Sisterhood in April 2021 with a deep connection to the mission of helping women diagnosed with breast cancer. Having an extensive family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Amy was prompted to test for a genetic mutation in the BRCA1 gene, which came back positive. In June 2017, Amy opted to have a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy to reduce her chance of developing breast cancer.
Amy has an extensive background in health and wellness nonprofit work, especially those that help people diagnosed with cancer. She has strengths in event project management and logistics, volunteer and committee planning, fundraising and development, and organizational strategic planning.
Having spent the last five years working alongside volunteers within breast cancer organizations, Amy understands the importance of the connections formed at Firefly Sisterhood. Ensuring that women have the support when they need it most is what motivates her every day.
Melissa Gruber
Director of Program Development
Melissa@fireflysisterhood.org, 612-513-5026
Melissa has previously participated in The Firefly Sisterhood program, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2017 and matched with a Firefly Guide for support. Her husband and daughters were her rock and inspiration during treatment. Fortunately, Melissa shows NED (No Evidence of Disease) and will celebrate three years of survivorship this summer. She has supported other women going through breast cancer and worked with Compass Research to help women find purpose in their life following a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. She hopes that her girls have learned and will continue to grow to be strong and confident women in the future and that there will soon be a cure for breast cancer.
Melissa comes to The Firefly Sisterhood with a background in retail merchandise and corporate training and formal education in Communications from the University of St. Thomas. She enjoyed the special bond between her and her Firefly Guide before, during, and after treatment. This positive experience inspires Melissa in her current position with The Firefly Sisterhood: to ensure that women have the support they need and when they need it most, whether immediately after receiving their diagnosis, during treatment, or years into survivorship. The support of someone who has been through it before is so important.
Our Board
Founded in 2014, our organization is governed by a board of directors, including seven survivors:
Board of Directors 2022-2023
Christine Ebert, Chair | Ameriprise
Jane Welch, Vice-Chair | Morrison and Sund Ret.
Stephanie Tuntland, Treasurer | SALO LLC
Anne Berg | VyWay Marketing and Brand Strategy
Janie Finn | Finnesse Partners
Brighid Hansen | Hansen, Henley, Yoder, and Lamb
Nikki Madden | General Mills
Cheri Quinn | Well Farmer Marketing
Ann Scott | Medtronic
Kris Willardson
Donate Today
Firefly Sisterhood is a non-profit organization. Every dollar we receive goes to supporting our program and matching inspirational breast cancer survivors with the recently diagnosed. Help us grow and bring more light to women in need.
Annual Report
Firefly Sisterhood is a non-profit 501(c)(3) and donations qualify as being
100% tax-deductible. Read our annual report
2020 Annual Report-Page 1
2020 Annual Report-Page 2
Address: 5775 Wayzata Blvd, Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Email/Phone: amyg@fireflysisterhood.org 952.428.8945
The Firefly Sisterhood does not:
- Offer medical advice or opinions.
- Endorse or recommend specific physicians, other healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, treatments or products.
- Endorse or recommend any other product or service related to breast cancer treatment or rehabilitation.
FAQs–Getting Support
What information do you need about me to find support?
When you are ready to find support and a Peer Mentor Guide, you will be asked for basic information about yourself and your breast cancer diagnosis. We will match you with a Guide who had a similar breast cancer type, similar personality traits, and family dynamics.
How soon will I be matched with a Peer Mentor Guide?
Once you have talked with a Program Manager and shared information about your diagnosis, yourself, and the support you are looking for in a Guide. It takes a few days to a week to match you with an FFS Guide.
What does a match entail?
When a match is created, both women are given each other’s contact details, via the Match Email. The Firefly Sisterhood Guide should reach out within the next few days to connect. This can happen via phone, text, or email. Once matched, Firefly Sisters are free to explore their relationship at their own discretion. It may result in one reassuring phone call or could become an ongoing, enduring friendship.
Can I have more than one Guide?
Yes, you can have as many Guides as you would like. For example, if you are evaluating your surgical options and would like to talk with someone who has undergone a lumpectomy or someone who has done a mastectomy, we can connect you with both Guides.
Are all connections one-to-one?
Our primary concern is to create one-to-one connections. However, we regularly organize social and educational gatherings to provide connections, support, and friendship. The Firefly Sisterhood is built upon the strength of women– the more we connect, the stronger we become.
Is my information confidential?
Yes, your information is confidential and only shared with your Guide.
How long will my match be?
Your Guide will be there for as long as you are looking for support.
FAQs–For Peer Mentor Guides
When will I be matched?
Once you have completed the four hours of New Peer Mentor Guide Training, you will become an Active Peer Mentor Guide. The time it takes to get your first match may vary, as we work to carefully match Guides and Support Seekers based on diagnosis, personal traits, and family dynamics. Do not worry if you are not matched right away! You can remain actively involved with The Firefly Sisterhood as volunteer opportunities arise.
What if I don’t have an answer to a question from my Firefly Sister?
We are here to help! The Program Managers are available to help you navigate any challenging questions and/or situations. We can share other resources with you, that you can share with your Firefly Sister.
How do I stay an Active Firefly Peer Mentor Guide?
We require you do three hours of On-Going Training per calendar year. We offer a mixture of in-person and zoom training throughout the year.
This Is Living With Cancer