Johnsburg breast cancer survivor marks National Girlfriend Day by delivering gifts of hope to cancer patients

National Girlfriend Day is recognized Aug. 1, and one Johnsburg breast cancer survivor celebrated early by sharing the power of friendship with patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Advocate Health Care Infusion Center in Libertyville.

Following her July 28 check-up visit, 52-year-old Debbie Beagle hand-delivered coffee gift cards, inspirational notes and words of encouragement to patients receiving chemotherapy. A survivor of triple-negative breast cancer, Beagle said the gesture honors her circle of girlfriends who carried her through chemotherapy, surgery and radiation after her 2021 diagnosis.

"My friends didn't wait for me to tell them what I needed. They just showed up," Beagle said.

Beagle also left additional notes and gift cards with infusion center nurses to share with other patients who may need a lift in their spirits.

“When people ask, ‘What can I do to help?’ that can put a lot on the person who is sick,” Beagle said. “My friends didn’t wait for me to tell them what I needed. They just showed up.”

Dr. Elizabeth Chung, Beagle’s medical oncologist at Advocate Condell Medical Center, said support from loved ones can play a meaningful role in a patient’s cancer journey.

“Cancer treatment is not only physically demanding. It can be emotionally overwhelming, too,” Dr. Chung said. “Debbie’s story is a beautiful reminder that friendship can be part of healing. When patients feel supported, seen and less alone, it can make an incredibly difficult experience feel more manageable.”

One friend, Kim May, rallied their circle of girlfriends and became the organizer Beagle did not know she needed. She coordinated meals, added medical appointments to a shared calendar and made sure Beagle and her husband were never alone at appointments.

“Having one person coordinate everything took so much off of me,” Beagle said. “Kim didn’t really give me the option to say no, and that was exactly what I needed.”

The support continued through radiation when Beagle received a box filled with tiny drawers. Each drawer held a note and a small surprise, such as a bracelet, candy or gift card. Opening one before each treatment gave her something positive to look forward to on difficult days.

“They came up with the most creative things that really made me not focus on going to treatment,” Beagle said.

Beagle discovered a marble-sized lump under her arm in April 2021. After a biopsy, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and began treatment at Advocate Condell.

Beagle met May more than a decade ago when their children attended the same at-home day care. They became workout partners, stayed close and still live about 10 minutes apart. When Beagle’s younger sister was later diagnosed with breast cancer, May organized support for her, too.

Beagle's recent gesture is part of a tradition she started while undergoing chemotherapy. She began writing thank-you notes for the kindness others showed her and discovered that focusing on others helped her through treatment.

“It feels good to do this,” Beagle said. “It’s so healthy to give.”