PUBLISHED: 4th November 2026
She was a shining light in our FORCE community.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend, fellow volunteer and fierce advocate, Abigail Johnston. Abigail gave her time, her heart and her wisdom to people facing hereditary cancer, and our FORCE community is heartbroken. We know that many of you worked alongside her, drew strength from her support and cared deeply for her.
Abigail’s Impact at FORCE
Abigail supported others through four volunteer roles at FORCE:
- Community Group Organizer: She led our ATM, BARD1, BRIP1, CHEK2, RAD51C and RAD51D support meetings on Zoom, creating a welcoming space for people who share these gene mutations.
- Peer Navigator: She provided one-to-one support by phone, offering a listening ear and a steady, caring presence.
- Patient Advocate Leader: She strongly advocated for improvements to federal and state public policy, speaking up for the hereditary cancer community.
- Research Advocate: She amplified the voices of people living with metastatic breast cancer.
Abigail was diagnosed de novo with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in 2017. Through her blog, No Half Measures, she shared honest reflections on life with MBC. Abigail knew how much it meant to have someone to turn to, and she made sure the people she met never felt alone. She answered with patience, encouraged with honesty and always left people feeling a little more hopeful than before.
She was also proud of the work we did together at FORCE. We were very lucky to learn so much from her, and we are grateful for every life she touched. Her kindness will continue to ripple through our community for years to come.
Honoring Abigail’s Legacy
Let’s honor Abigail’s legacy by carrying forward the same spirit of compassion and connection she brought to our community. May her example remind us of the difference we can make simply by showing up for one another.
Our hearts are with Abigail's family and loved ones, and we send them our warmest condolences.
If you have a memory of Abigail you'd like to share, please leave it in the comments below.
Thank you, Abigail, for everything you gave us. You will be deeply missed and forever part of our FORCE family.
4 Comments
November 4, 2026
It is hard to put into words how much Abigail meant to our FORCE community and to those of us fortunate enough to know her. She helped build community at FORCE, creating a space where people felt welcomed, supported and had trusted information and resources to turn to. She was also always willing to jump on a Zoom to talk through ways we could make our support programs even better, generously sharing her ideas and experience. I feel incredibly lucky to have known Abigail and to have seen firsthand the difference she made in so many lives. I will miss her presence, her wisdom and the heart she brought to our work and our community. Her light and her legacy will stay with us always. My warmest condolences go out to her family, friends and loved ones.
Sandy Cohen
Reply
November 4, 2026
Abigail positioned herself as an expert among lawmakers, making her an asset in their constituencies and fostering power and influence. She had a natural talent for leading like no other. ????
Lisa Peabody
Reply
November 4, 2026
It is difficult to find words that adequately describe Abigail. I remain in awe of the way she gave so tirelessly to others, even while carrying the enormous weight of her own illness. Up until her final weeks, she was still thinking about the people who depended on her and worrying about letting others down. I will never forget that. Reading all the messages from people and organizations she supported, while knowing how devoted she also was to her husband and children, leaves me wondering how one person could possibly have given so much of herself. Abigail was truly exceptional. I feel profoundly lucky to have known her, and I know that everyone whose life she touched carries a little piece of her extraordinary spirit forward.
Marisol Rosas
Reply
November 4, 2026
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside Abigail on several research projects, to meet her in person, and to share our passion for advocating for the hereditary cancer community. I was continually inspired not only by her dedication and impact in the metastatic breast cancer advocacy space, but also by the glimpses she shared of her everyday life with her family and the genuine gratitude she found in each day. Her passion, strength, warmth, and appreciation for life left a lasting impression on me, and I will always be grateful to have known her.
Diane Rose
Reply