Boobs Without Borders Brings Art and Advocacy Together for Breast Cancer Awareness
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Asia Tabb
AIRED; September 18, 2025
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When Marilyn B. Fuller-Smith was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer, her doctor’s insistence on a same-day mammogram saved her life. “From that moment until today, everything about my breast cancer journey has been a blessing, just an absolute blessing,” Fuller-Smith said. “I am the model of finding breast cancer early. Detection is the most important part. Find it early, don’t go without those mammograms.”
Her diagnosis not only changed her life but also connected her to fellow friends Jayne Blake and Donna Slusser. Together, the women have walked thousands of miles in breast cancer awareness events and built a sisterhood rooted in resilience, joy, and advocacy.
That passion eventually took shape as Boobs Without Borders, a group that walks and fundraises across the country. “Because breast cancer’s everywhere. It’s international, it’s national, it has no location,” Fuller-Smith explained. “That’s why the name was intentional—Boobs Without Borders.”
This October, the group will channel that mission into art. Their Power of Pink Art Auction will be held October 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Burig’s Gathering Place. The event will feature more than 40 original works from local artists, ranging from plein air paintings and contemporary pieces to pottery, jewelry, and even a granite sculpture.
“The artistic community has stepped up and just gifted this for us to be able to sell at auction,” Blake said. “I think people should come and they will be blown away.” In addition to the auction, raffles will feature dozens more donated works.
The event will include three live-auction items, led by Chris Baldridge of Susan’s Treasures, with Alicia Richards serving as emcee. “It’s going to be absolutely fantastic,” Fuller-Smith said.
For the women behind Boobs Without Borders, every mile walked and every dollar raised honors those impacted by breast cancer and helps expand access to early detection. “There are a thousand reasons why breast cancer changed my life,” Fuller-Smith reflected. “But one of the greatest is that it brought me these women, this joy, and this mission.”
