Laura Been (she/her)
Illness: breast cancer, triple negative, BRCA1+, diagnosed at 28 y.o.
Who I am: Theater maker, cookie baker, mystery reader and snack lover.
A little more: I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in July 2017 at 28 years old and am BRCA1 positive. No one in my family realized they may be a BRCA1 carrier until I was diagnosed. My treatment included intensive chemotherapy and two surgeries—a bilateral mastectomy with expanders placed and an expander removal, opting for flat.
In my non-cancer life, I am a creative producer, baker, reader, and snack lover. I currently run New Victory LabWorks, New Victory Theater’s new work development program. My focus is in new work development and artist support—I love being part of the mess and the process. Recent producing credits include Chronic Love, The Liz Swados Project Joe's Pub Event and album with Ghostlight Records, We Are Not Strangers music video featuring Heather Christian, POOR CLARE by Chiara Atik, DAYS GO BY by Monica Bill Barnes & Company, TRIPLIGHT: a new musical, and PLAYING HOT a Pipeline Theatre Company production. I was a group facilitator and committee member of The Relentless Award from 2015-2020.
Like many people who have experienced cancer and chronic illness, I felt myself torn in how I identified during and after treatment. There is a common expectation with cancer patients that if you are lucky enough to have your chemotherapy end, as I have been, that cancer is then “over.” My own experience, like many others, has not been so simple. I hope that our work at Chronic Love can shed even a glimmer of light on the experience of those affected with cancer and chronic illness, and that we can both offer and find support in this community. I know I have already.