A woman in hospital bed with a young girl standing next to her, holding her hair in a ponytail, in a hospital room with food on a tray.

My vision is to help women and caregivers facing a mastectomy be confident in their choices, free from fear, and see a better future.  

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, a woman I barely knew offered to show me her reconstructed breasts after having a mastectomy years ago.  My goal is to pay it forward and provide that experience to women facing a mastectomy. 

The opportunity to see the future gave me tremendous hope. I want to be that friend to you.

You are not alone.

A Note from Erica

Sharing My Story

Erica Neubert Campbell on TV talking about "The Mastectomy I Always Wanted"
Erica Neubert Campbell is interviewed about her mastectomy journey and the book "The Mastecomy I Always Wanted"
A family of five enjoying a meal at an outdoor campsite in a wooded area. They are sitting and standing around a picnic table with food and drinks, with a tent, trees, an RV, and bicycles in the background.

About Erica

Erica Neubert Campbell is a breast cancer survivor and a “cancer orphan” after losing her mother to breast cancer over 20 years ago. Since 1997, she has dedicated her life to supporting cancer patients and supporters.

In her memoir, The Mastectomy I Always Wanted, Erica creates vulnerable and trusting spaces as a way to create a community of support.

Erica lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband, Ian, and children, Amelia and Duncan. She loves her 2008 Winnebago RV and enthusiastically cheers on kid sports year-round. Erica loves authenticity, connection, and the unexpected ways a vision comes to life.

A family of three stand on a sandy beach during sunset, smiling and making peace signs with their hands.
A family of three, including a man, a woman, and a young boy, standing together in an indoor recreational facility near a toy claw machine. The woman is holding a hockey-themed tumbler, and the boy is leaning on a large hockey bag. The background shows a sign for the bathroom and a toy claw machine filled with stuffed animals.

My Favorites

Favorite Quotes: 

  • “Call it a clan. Call it a network. Call it a tribe. Call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”

    Jane Howard

  • “What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?”

    George Eliot

  • “Once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through. You won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm is all about.”

    Haruki Murakami

  • “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face . . . you must do everything you think you cannot do.”

    Eleanor Roosevelt

  • “A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.”

    Eleanor Roosevelt

  • “Nobody, but nobody, can make it out here alone.”

    Maya Angelou

  • “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and the time the tide will turn.”

    Harriet Beecher Stowe

  • “In the middle of difficultly lies opportunity.”

    Albert Einstein

  • “Just when you think things are falling apart, that’s when they are falling into place.”

    Anonymous

  • “It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.”

    Winston Churchill

  • “Your three best doctors are faith, time, and patience.”

    Anonymous

  • “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

    The Serenity Prayer

  • “Difficult times always create opportunities for you to experience more love in your life.”

    Barbara DeAngelis

  • “Happiness sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open."

    John Barrymore

Favorite Books: 

  • You Are a Badass

    Jen Sincero

  • Walk Beside Me

    Christine Handy

  • The High Five Habit

    Mel Robbins

  • Atomic Habits

    James Clear

  • Wild

    Cheryl Strayed

  • Eat Pray Love

    Elizabeth Gilbert

  • What to Say When You Talk to Yourself

    Shad Helmsetter

Stay Connected

Nurses are the quiet anchors of a breast cancer journey. They are often the first steady voice after a diagnosis, the person who explains what the doctor said in plain language, the one who notices when fear is creeping in, and the one who reminds yo
I was honored to speak on the "Never Ever Give Up Hope" podcast with Carol Graham. Listen to this powerful podcast here: https://neverevergiveuphopenet.blogspot.com/2026/01/there-are-good-days-and-bad-days-and.html
What makes a good life—and how does our work fit into it? I recently spoke with University of St. Thomas students and joined a conversation on the Work and the Good Life podcast. If you’d like to hear about my personal and career moments,
I’m thrilled that a physician practice reached out and wanted to order three cases of my book. Tonight I’m signing these books and thinking of the women who will be reading this is the future. I find this magical work that grounds me on
Don't forget! Join me this Sunday 7/27 from 1-3pm at the new @kendrascott store in Southdale Mall, Edina. Free signed copies of my book, "The Mastectomy I Always Wanted", free inspirational notecards, a fashion sketch artist (free as well!)
Want to support breast cancer patients and hang out with me at the same time? Join me at the Grand Opening of the @kendrascott store at Southdale Mall in Edina, MN! Proceeds will benefit @fireflysisterhood - an amazing non-profit that provides peer s
I’m thrilled to announce that my book, “The Mastectomy I Always Wanted,” just won the Gold Medal in the 2025 Midwest Independent Book Awards! My vision with this book is to help thousands of women facing breast cancer and a mastect
I'm delighted to announce my new role as Chief Development Officer at Second Harvest Heartland! I believe deeply in the power of an ecosystem of support—and I’m excited to focus more intentionally on food insecurity as a critical part of
I couldn’t be prouder of Duncan - today and always! Today was 5th grade graduation and tomorrow is his big, bright future! Class of 2032 here we come! 🎉
Nearly 8 years ago I celebrated Mother’s Day a few days before my mastectomy. Pictured here are my amazingly supportive kids. Not pictured here was the worry and fears I was hiding. I think back on this time of painful anticipation and have co
So proud of my amazing niece, Greta! Her final project for her TCU design program was inspired by and for breast cancer survivors. Take a look at “The Power To She” and Greta’s design brilliance! @gretagcampbell
Me and my mini-me! Yes, these are matching dresses - but handmade by me for our Hawaii adventures. Sometimes it’s ok to sew yourself back together! #mastectomy
New podcast just released! I had an inspiring conversation with @jenniferloehding on @startergirlz. Together we are empowering women and celebrating dreamers. Links in bio. And DM me anytime if you or someone you love is newly diagnosed with breast c
Got free tix to see Hadestown. So thought-provoking and a beautiful piece of art. When have you been to hell and back? #mastectomy
This is straight from my beloved quote journal. I've carried it with me for all the life changes and moves in my life. If you know someone newly diagnosed with breast cancer or preparing for a mastectomy, I'm here. You are not alone!