I am a writer, cancer survivor, speaker, advocate, recreational therapist/child life specialist, and traveler. I am originally from Columbus, Ohio but currently live in a Motorhome with my husband and our two dogs (Akiro, an Akita, and Scarlet, a Belgian Malinois Mix) traveling the country. My hobbies include ballroom dancing, nature photography, and reading. Each day, I set out to make one person smile and live by the motto: Live Life, Love Life, and Cherish Every Moment.
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I earned my Bachelor of Science, Zoology degree from The Ohio State University in 2002 and my Master of Arts, Recreational Therapy degree from The University of Toledo in 2005. I am dual certified as a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist and Certified Child Life Specialist. I have worked in pediatric and adult hematology/oncology, adolescent and adult psych, and geriatrics.
Volunteer Experience
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (2021 – Present)
• National Gold Together Advocacy Advisory Council Lead
COALITION AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER (CAC2) (2019 – Present)
• Family Support and Survivorship Interest Group Member
ALLIANCE FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER (2015 – Present)
• Childhood Cancer Patient/Survivor Advocate
NORTH CAROLINA COMPREHENSIVE CANCER PROGRAM (2008 – 2009)
• Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Workgroup Chairmen
STUPID CANCER (2008 – 2009)
• Young Adult Leadership Council (YALC) Cabinet Member
• Chair, Mid-Atlantic Region
NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL (1998-2011)
• Patient Representative on Comprehensive Cancer Care Committee (1998-2002).
• Counselor at Hematology/Oncology Camp of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Professional Experience
JAMES CARE FOR LIFE – Columbus, Ohio (2013-2015)
• Child Life Specialist – Independent Contractor at Cancer Support Center
MOTHER ANGELINE MCCRORY MANOR – Columbus, OH (2009 – 2014)
• Director of Recreational Therapy and Volunteer Services
UNC HOSPITALS – Chapel Hill, NC (2006 – 2009)
• Recreational Therapist/Child Life Specialist Inpatient and Outpatient Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Presentations
ANNUAL RECREATIONAL THERAPY WORKSHOP – Toledo, OH (4/2014)
Presenter – A Recreational Therapist’s Role in Meeting the Needs of Chronically Ill Children
• 60-minute presentation focusing on how children cognitively develop and play, utilizing that knowledge to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with chronically ill children while creating and maintaining a safe therapeutic environment for that child.
• A case study of a 20-month-old child diagnosed with Leukemia was examined – treatment goals, interventions, and outcomes.
BISHOP HARTLEY HIGH SCHOOL – Columbus, OH (11/2013)
Speaker
• 30 minutes talk sharing my story. What it was like to have cancer in high school and how God and my faith guided me through life after treatment.
BRAIN TUMOR SURVIVORSHIP CONFERENCE – Columbus, OH (4/2013)
Co-Presenter – How to Help Child Cope with a Family Members Cancer Diagnosis
• 30-minute presentation on how to help children understand and cope with a family member’s cancer diagnosis.
UNC HOSPITALS RECREATIONAL THERAPY LUNCH AND LEARN – Chapel Hill, NC (7/2008)
Presenter – Assisting with patients’ new diagnoses (and the corresponding family dynamics)
• 60-minute presentation focusing on steps to talking with the patient, sibling, and parents when a child is newly diagnosed. Exploring a variety of goals that can be utilized to help the child cope with their diagnosis.
NORTH CAROLINA SURVIVORSHIP SUMMIT– Raleigh, NC (2008)
Co-Presenter – Traveling the Road to Maturity: Issues of Adolescents and Young Adults
• 60-minute presentation focusing on the variety of issues Adolescents and Young Adults may face, such as Relationships, Careers, Follow-Up Healthcare, Insurance, and Fertility.
CANCER PATIENT EDUCATION NETWORK CONFERENCE – Greensboro, NC (11/2006)
Presenter – A Velvet Touch – A Guide to Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy (AAA/T) and How It Can Benefit Cancer Patients
• 30-minute presentation on the benefits of AAA/T with cancer patients, precautions for infection control, and how to start a pet therapy program.
Publications
IT’S A WRAP WITH RAP (8/2022) https://www.spreaker.com/user/hc-universal-network/carolyn-breinich-what-it-is-like-to-be-a?fbclid=IwAR3wYoWWfE6ERvK-em7nRGr-Lsxw3cjKRsZcyEHhkrWwPFqBAts53zaE_EY
CHILDHOOD CANCER TALK RADIO (7/2022)
Radio Show with Janet Demeter
ELEPHANTS AND TEA MAGAZINE (2/2022)
The Healing Power of Dolphins Article
https://elephantsandtea.com/survivorship/the-healing-power-of-dolphins/
HOPE AND HELP HAPPENS HERE (2/2022)
Podcast with Mark Levine
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1218635/10048568
ELEPHANTS AND TEA MAGAZINE (6/2021)
Dear Cancer Article
https://elephantsandtea.com/dear-cancer/dear-cancer-your-pain-made-me-stronger/
HOPE HAS ARRIVED (1/2021)
Writing About My Cancerversary Article
https://www.hopehasarrived.com/writing-about-my-cancerversary/
ST.BALDRICK’S FOUNDATION (5/2013)
Bald is Beautiful Article
https://www.stbaldricks.org/blog/post/bald-is-beautiful-leukemia-survivor-shaves-for-kids-with-cancer-foundation
CANCERVIVE
Participant – Making the Grade Video (1998)
• I was one of three teenagers profiled in this educational video. It highlights the unique issues teenagers face returning to school after a cancer diagnosis. Video has since been retired.
Leukemiagirl 