Nicole Robbins knows the fear, the unknowns and the discomforts that come with stage 3 breast cancer.
In 2022, the Placerville native, mother and El Dorado Hills school teacher learned she had inflammatory triple-negative breast cancer. The fast-growing, aggressive type of cancer accounts for about 10–15% of all breast cancer cases.
"It's a scary, scary journey," said Robbins. "When you have triple-negative breast cancer, you are given a binder of information that tells you what lies ahead."
Robbins' oncologist at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center encouraged her to enter a clinical trial designed to improve outcomes in high-risk breast cancer patients.
The treatment included a combination of powerful chemotherapy drugs. Sitting for hours and hours in an infusion chair at the cancer center inspired Robbins to take on her project.
"That's when I got the idea for the Ta Ta Totes," said Robbins, explaining the totes are care packages she creates for fellow breast cancer patients. "I experienced everything that came with treatment. It was hard and I saw other women, many of them alone, going through the same thing."
Chemotherapy from the clinical trial helped shrink her tumor to the size of a tiny dot. A bilateral mastectomy and radiation followed. Then immunotherapy was added.
"I went through every type of treatment imaginable," said Robbins, who, only a week before dropping off a shipment of Ta Ta Totes at the cancer center, had undergone plastic surgery to restore the shape of both breasts.
Ta Ta Totes are popular with patients
With a head full of blonde curls and ample energy to carry nearly a dozen totes on a recent morning, Robbins explained how during treatment she made a list of what patients like her needed.
"I have met so many magical people at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. My doctors and nurses have been wonderful, and I wanted a way to give back while helping other breast cancer patients."
In between treatments, she gathered friends and family to create a collection of warm and cozy items to put into harvest-themed totes to deliver to fellow late-stage breast cancer patients in clinical trials.
Robbins quickly left a favorable impression among patients and staff.
"This woman is amazing," said Teri Nguyen, clinical research coordinator at the cancer center. "Our patients are thrilled to receive the Ta Ta Totes and are often caught up in emotion because of the love that has been put into them. It brings them to tears and we are so grateful for Nicole's creativity and generosity."
Everything inside the Ta Ta Totes is handmade. The items include:
- Fleece blanket to keep patients warm during chemo infusions
- "Port pillow" to reduce automobile shoulder seatbelt discomfort for women with infusion ports
- Blank "thank you" cards for patients to send to doctors and nurses
- Mints and ginger chews to help when chemo-induced changes in taste become unpleasant
- Handsewn "pocket hug" to bring patients a smile when the going gets rough
- Box containing inspiring quotes
- Seed packet to "watch something grow"
Robbins had to take a leave from teaching during the chemotherapy treatments, so creating the Ta Ta Totes became a therapeutic outlet to fill that void. It became such a passion that she stepped up production by launching a nonprofit fundraising organization, Harvest 4 Pink.
The organization's website not only sells Ta Ta Totes, it also features tips for women undergoing breast cancer treatment, book recommendations, and suggests helpful gifts to buy people who are being treated for breast cancer.
Robbins has completed her treatment and has since moved with her husband Brian to a small town in Wyoming to enjoy their retirement. However, she still makes regular trips to UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center for her check-ups — with lots of Ta Ta Totes in tow.
"The best way to help yourself is to put your arm around someone who needs it more," Robbins is fond of saying. She also reminds other women: "Don't forget to check your tatas. Mine tried to kill me."
