

Kelly & Liv at a magazine shoot about the original SOS, 1991
Thirty years ago, my dear friend Kelly and I were worried about the environment and convinced our high school principal to let us start an after-school club to raise funds and awareness. We called it SOS: Save Our Surroundings and the group lasted at the school for over 20 years.
Now, we’re sending out an SOS of a different kind. In 2018, we were both diagnosed with breast cancer — Kelly with metastatic (MBC), which meant it had spread to other parts of her body, and me with triple negative (TNBC), the most aggressive type. It was a huge shock for us both, but also a beautiful gift to be able to confide in and lean on each other.
Months before her passing in February 2020, Kelly told me she wanted to start a blog inspired by our private discussions on death & dying, living with cancer, and what we’d learned that could help others. There wasn’t time to get it going, but I’m committed to making it happen now.
Why Speaking of Stardust?
Kelly wanted “Stardust” in the name, since that’s what we’re all made of — before, during and after our earthly lives. We come from the stars and return to the stars, bright-light swirling energy that never truly dies. Originally, she was thinking of “Library of Stardust,” but I found the name was already taken online. As I returned to this project after her passing, I thought about our success with “SOS” and began brainstorming what it could stand for now. As soon as “Speaking of Stardust” came to mind, a bunny hopped right across our yard in front of me. Kelly adored bunnies, and they’ve become a little sign for me that she’s around. So I knew in that moment we had our name and were on our way..
SOS on Instagram
The majority of content is shared on the Instagram account @speakingofstardust, featuring reflections from both me and Kelly. Follow us there!
SOS Blog Posts
Longer content & stories are featured in special Speaking of Stardust posts on Liv’s primary blog; see the latest posts below!
Recent Speaking of Stardust Blog Posts
The Best Gifts for Breast Cancer Patients
From the moment I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, and to this day, I have been so amazed and humbled by the outpouring of love and support from friends, family and even strangers. I suspect anyone who's faced extensive treatment, surgeries and monitoring...
Introducing SOS: Speaking of Stardust
30 years ago, those two precocious teens thought their high school wasn’t doing enough to take care of the environment. They wanted recycling bins available, local hiking trails preserved and their fellow students to care more about the earth. So they convinced their...
Light it up: The ABCs of MBC
I have a dirty little secret -- and the start of something special -- to share with you today. And if you know a woman who has EVER been diagnosed with breast cancer, I hope you'll read this through. That photo (circa 1994?) is me and my lifelong sister-friend...
Support these superstar organizations
Metavivor
Research + advocacy for those fighting Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer
TNBC Foundation
Dedicated to advancing Triple Negative Breast Cancer research
Gilda's Club
Twin Cities community support for those impacted by cancer
Epic Experience
A free “cancer camp for adults” that Kelly adored attending
Dodge Nature Center
One of Kelly’s fave spots, where a tree’s been planted in her memory
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