'Beacon Of Strength': LI Woman Faces Cancer With Spirituality, Hope

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NORTH FORK, NY — Even when faced with the most daunting of diagnoses, a Peconic woman, determined to chart her own course and shape her own destiny, has transformed her journey into one of inspiration — and hope.

Iris Welcome, 42, had gone for a routine screening in January when her whole world shifted: She was diaagnosed with Triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer.

The news was a complete shock. "I'm healthy and young and had no symptoms," she said.

But rather than face the future with fear, Welcome, a recovery coach, yoga teacher and certified nutrition counselor who leads with a holistic approach, was imbued with positivity.

"I’m currently in a chemotherapy regimen called the Keynote 522. It’s so cool," she said. "It combines immunotherapy along with chemotherapy, so it readies your immune system for therapy post treatment. At Memorial Sloan Kettering it’s five months, broken into two parts."

After that, she said, "they determine if it was effective — it will be! — then surgery, then we determine if radiation will be needed and so on. There’s a lot of unknown. The only thing I know is that at some point I become cancer free."

Welcome reflected on hearing the words that changed her life. "When they said triple negative, and then said, 'We don’t know where its coming from,' I immediately thought, 'I get it. I really get it. This is an invitation to come into greater balance — to find a deeper level of healing and health in my life.'"

She has experienced "multiple recoveries" in her life, Welcome said. "I've been sober for 19 years. This is the next recovery. The way that this is showing itself to me, it’s my next recovery — what my soul has chosen in this lifetime to go through."

Her cancer was detected at a very early stage, Welcome said. "They caught it early, Stage 1," she said. "Everyone says that I will get through this. Everyone. They all say, 'You're going to be just fine.'"

Through her work as a yoga teacher and recovery coach, Welcome embraces a holistic approach to healing.

That same life outlook is helping her to navigate this next chapter. "I'm connecting, with gratitude — tuning into the voice within," she said.

Diagnosed in January, Welcome had planned to set off on her yearly spiritual journey to India in February.

"I'd had a mammogram," she said. "They suggested a biopsy. I've always been lumpy and bumpy, so I wasn't getting too hyper about it."

On January 27, she received her diagnosis. Although chemo was advised, she was still able to travel to India as planned, without delaying treatment.

While in India, Welcome said she met with "incredible people" who directed her to sit and ask herself what she really needed to do.

"I’m at the very beginning of this journey, but I’ve learned so much," she said. Welcome said as she sat and reflected, "it was very clear that chemotherapy was the way to do this."

One of the chemo drugs is derived from the English Yew tree, and it was suggested that Welcome meditate, centering herself on envisioning the Yew tree.

Even when she had to have the port implanted for chemo, "something that was very, very odd to me; it threw me off center" — it was suggested that Welcome pray and meditate with the port, and invite it into her body — for healing.

"Now, before I have an infusion I ask the nurses to spend time with the drugs; it's a real alchemy when you can step into the spirit of gratitude and acceptance and love. When I can love the drugs rather than hate them — rather than think of them as evil and bad, or 'the red devil.'"

That ability to see the beauty in what so many deem ugly or painful, is what shines light on Welcome's path. "Even when it is darkness, there is something to be gained," she said. "There is gratitude, for the experience that's about to take place. We create so much unnecessary suffering by just fighting what is happening."

From the moment she was diagnosed, the North Fork community has rallied around Welcome with healing love.

Friends have come together to create a GoFundMe page to help Welcome, "Aid Iris's Healing From Rare Cancer."

"If you’ve had the privilege of knowing Iris Welcome, you know that she is a beacon of strength, kindness, and resilience. She has given so much of herself to her community, and now it’s our turn to show up for her," the page, organized by Charmaine Strange and two others, said.

"Earlier this year, Iris was diagnosed with Triple-negative breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that requires an intense and grueling treatment plan. While she is facing this challenge with incredible courage and gratitude, the journey ahead comes with significant financial burdens —many of which are not fully covered by insurance."

The page added: "This fundraiser will help ease the weight of medical and wellness expenses, including supportive treatments, mental health resources, wigs, and other essentials that will aid in her healing. Iris has always been fiercely independent and humble, rarely asking for help. But we know that healing is not just physical — it is also emotional, spiritual, and communal. Whether you can donate, share, or simply send love and encouragement, every bit of support makes a difference."

And, her friends said: "Let’s rally around Iris the way she has shown up for so many. Let’s remind her that she is not alone in this — she is surrounded by love, faith, and an unbreakable community. Please share and amplify this fundraiser however you can. Together, we can help Iris not just survive, but thrive through this journey."

Of the GoFundMe, Welcome said: "Oh, gosh, money has never been a focus of mine. When I was diagnosed, my friends immediately became concerned with the financial costs that would accrue and put together this page. At that time I had no idea how much it would be needed, until it was needed. I’m so grateful for health insurance, and for the fact that when I comes to breast cancer, they spare no expense. What I didn’t expect was that for each biopsy, specialist visit, MRI, ultrasound, infusion, and so on, insurance covers most, but not all. There’s always the 'amount you owe,' and this quickly turned into thousands. I didn’t realize how stressful this was until the stress was gone, and I am so grateful."

From the first, Welcome has shared her message of hope.

"When I was diagnosed it quickly became overwhelming to keep everyone updated. It unfolded like a TV drama, becoming more and more intense with each passing day and week," she said. "Things that were said in the beginning took on greater meaning as I learned they applied to the bigger picture. I started a 'shared note' with friends and family when having multiple individual conversations became unrealistic. It was at that point that someone told me about Caring Bridge. I started writing updates there, and wrote a few posts on Facebook to invite people in if they desired. It quickly took on a life of its own."

Her writing resonated widely. "Each day I’m hearing that people read them and are inspired or uplifted," Welcome said. "I’ve heard of people who are going through something similar reading them and taking on a new perspective which they’ve found helpful. That makes me want to share it even more. I know that anything difficult I’ve faced in my life, I’ve gained strength from observing with admiration how someone else has navigated the same thing. And I think to myself, 'If I were facing. . . . I’d hope to be that grounded or grateful.' I’ve been inspired by so many people in my life, and I feel like they’ve all prepared me for this. I’m hoping I can pay it forward now."

If she were to share one singular message that defines her approach to her journey, Welcome said: "There’s an alchemy that takes place in gratitude, acceptance, meditation, and the frequency of love. It makes a difference. When I can relax into the belief that this is happening for me and not to me, it changes the experience. It brings a curiosity to each day. It’s the shift from victim to gratitude. And that shift has an immense impact on the physical body and ultimately my ability to heal."

Spirituality, she said, "really is everything. I’ve been on a spiritual path for, well, forever. As the diagnosis unfolded, the moments of understanding, presence, and acceptance far outweighed the moments of confusion and fear. Fear really only comes in when I forget my purpose. As soon as I reconnect to the knowing that the universe, while not necessarily interested in my comfort, is very interested in my evolution, all fear dissolves."

When asked about the challenges, Welcome said the hardest part has also been the most incredible part. "It’s been realizing how loved I am by my family, friends, and community. If it was just me in a vacuum, it wouldn’t matter so much, but I’m a daughter, sister, friend, and support to so many. So the hardest part has become the greatest motivator and the rallying cry — that I will heal fully. No. Question."

The experience, she said, "is all for good. It’s only a matter of if I choose to see it or not."

Welcome hopes to help others facing their own physical challenges in the future. "I had the great honor of meeting a chemo doula just after diagnosis. She and many others helped me settle into the power and alchemy in my breath and heart. These wise people gave me practical tools, and guided my own inner knowing. I hope to do the same for others if they find themselves in indecision or fear."

Her friends say that Welcome has always been a beacon. Wayne Sailor, a North Fork resident, said his relationship with Iris dates back to 2014 — and now, he's helping with the GoFundMe and with raising awareness. "She has become a very special and dear friend. When Iris made me aware of her breast cancer diagnosis I didn’t waste a second; I got right to work. I was met with an unbelievable positive response from friends, family, clients and businesses. Everyone was so willing to help Iris with whatever she needed."

He added: "I know the North Fork is a very special place to live, but the outpoint of support was staggering. I speak about Iris’s story all the time to keep people aware of her progress, as well as to keep people thinking about and praying for her as that creates a positive energy, which is certainly a factor in healing. I truly believe Iris will fight this fight with the help of our community, her amazing doctors at Sloan Kettering, but most importantly, with the guidance of a higher power that will enable her to have a long and healthy life, which is what we all truly want."

If she were to meet someone panicking in the face of the unknown, Welcome said she'd offer insight.

"The way they are treating cancer today is so advanced. There are so many resources, such great treatments, and so much hope. Keep your feet on the ground, connected with your breath, and keep in the frequency of hope. I can speak for myself and say that when my diagnosis came through it made sense to me. I saw my disconnection and stress and how I have been imbalanced. I had a choice — let the result perpetuate the issue? Or let the doctors treat the my cancer while I took the opportunity to come home to myself. Cancer aside, treatment aside, the invitation to return to balance is one I’m glad I haven’t passed up. I just hope to continue showing up to that party. "

Asked to envision the future, to imagine the rest of her beautiful life, Welcome said: "While being free from challenge for a while sounds nice, I hope the universe keeps trusting me with new opportunities to heal even deeper."

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.