Iris Breast Cancer Rehabilitation center.Photo by Liza Lucas. The ringing of the bell is a milestone moment, traditionally signaling cancer treatment is complete. But for Johana Miller, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, the biggest surprise came post-treatment. Miller says that’s when she found herself suddenly navigating all she’d gone through—and the side effects—on her own.   “You’re so supported—from the diagnosis, giving your options, up to the surgeries, up to the recovery and through the chemo. But then once the main treatment is done,” Miller says, “this is where you take it on your own.” As part of treatment, Miller had surgery to remove two tumors, followed by chemotherapy and a mastectomy. Then she developed lymphedema, a side effect of treatment which caused swelling in her right hand. “That was the main thing I was panicking about,” Miller says. “The aftereffects.” “It’s just a completely debilitating disease,” Liz Loreti, executive director of Iris Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, says. “So much of it happens after the bell rings. The patient gets in the car and can’t even buckle their seat belt without help. They have to transition to button-down shirts because they can’t lift a shirt over their head. They can’t pick up their child. They can’t reach for a plate on the top shelf. There’s so many can’ts.” Between the side effects and adjusting to a new body, Miller searched for help and found Iris. The Sandy Springs-based nonprofit has been working to improve the quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer for nearly 25 years. A patient undergoes physical therapy at Iris Breast Cancer Rehabilitation.Courtesy of Iris Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. The Need Research shows between 60 to 90 percent of adults who’ve had cancer report mobility issues or other negative physical effects following treatment that impact their lives or ability to work. Yet, some studies also find rehabilitation remains underutilized, with only 10 percent of patients getting help through physical or occupational therapy. Iris was created to close that gap. Physical therapist and founder Jill Binkley launched the nonprofit (formerly known as TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation) in 2003 in response to her own experience with breast cancer. “[She] was doing PT on herself and started looking into research,” Loreti says. “There was nothing.”  So, Binkley decided to “melt” her personal experience and expertise together, creating a nonprofit that offers specialized rehab to breast cancer patients before, during, and after treatment.   At their new facility, Iris Breast Cancer Rehabilitation offers patients a customized plan for healing, acknowledging every diagnosis and treatment is different, Loreti says. Services range from one-on-one physical therapy and massage to exercise oncology classes and lymphedema management. “It’s this holistic approach to rehabilitation,” Loreti says. “We want to give people as many options as possible to find their best healing journey.” Research shows 60 to 90 percent of cancer patients report mobility issues after undergoing treatment.Courtesy of Iris Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. Reducing Barriers to Care For two decades, Iris has been focused on helping breast cancer patients re-build their lives. But making treatment accessible is also part of the core mission. “Because we’re a nonprofit, we never turn anyone away for an inability to pay for treatment,” Loreti says (a doctor’s referral is required). According to Miller, “that’s where [Iris] definitely met the need,” given she couldn’t work at the time. As a result, the nonprofit heavily relies on fundraising to offset costs (Iris covers $75 of every physical therapy appointment on average). As part of its effort to reduce barriers to care, the Iris team also sees patients twice a week at Good Samaritan Health Clinic in Westside Atlanta’s Bankhead neighborhood. Iris even offers tele-rehabilitation services across Georgia.  “So, we really are able to meet people where they are,” Loreti says. For Miller, Iris ultimately became the place she didn’t want to leave, even as she began doing well.   “This is the place that exists for the very purpose of women who have gone through a traumatic experience and those lingering effects,” she adds. “They understand.” Iris Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Center, 7820 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, GA 30350 The post This Sandy Springs nonprofit is providing holistic rehab for breast cancer patients appeared first on Atlanta Magazine. ...read more read less