Code of Conduct

Project Life's Code of Conduct

At Project Life, we are committed to fostering a compassionate, respectful, and supportive space for everyone living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This Code of Conduct reflects the values that are at the heart of our community, gently guiding how we care for and honor one another as we navigate this journey together.
When we refer to the "community," we mean all individuals who are part of Project Life, including those living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), caregivers (when invited or applicable), staff, volunteers, and facilitators who support the mission of providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for people living with MBC. Our community is built on mutual trust, empathy, and a shared understanding of the challenges and experiences of life with MBC. Please refer to our community guidelines:

By joining Project Life events or forums, you agree to uphold this Code of Conduct.

Disrespecting the code of conduct will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the severity, consequences may include limited access to Project Life offerings, removal from events, or, in serious cases, removal from the Project Life community.
Thank you for helping to co-create a space rooted in care, respect, and healing.
If at any point you feel uncomfortable or that a boundary has been crossed, please contact admin@projectlifembc, as we have an open door policy. We encourage you to reach out to our team with confidence. We are here to listen, support you, and address the situation thoughtfully and with the utmost care, ensuring you feel safe and respected in our community.

Community Guidelines

Community Expectations & Membership:

Project Life is a dedicated space centered on the experience of living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We ask all members, including those who are caregivers, to participate with understanding, compassion, and respect for this shared context. While caregivers may be welcomed in select spaces or events, the primary focus remains on those living with MBC.

In the spirit of trust and respect, we also ask that all participants are honest about their metastatic breast cancer (MBC) diagnosis. Project Life exists to support those living with MBC, and maintaining the integrity of that focus helps us create a safe, authentic, and meaningful space for our community.
If you are attending an event as a caregiver, we encourage the patient to be present as well, in order to honor the lived experience that grounds our community. Caregivers are asked to center the voices and needs of MBC participants in all interactions.

To maintain a safe and supportive environment, access to events and forums is limited to registered Project Life members. Please do not share event links or forum content with non-members. Membership may be verified upon registration.

Accountability in Participation

When you sign up for a program or event, please honor your commitment. Frequent no-shows can limit opportunities for others. If your plans change, cancel ahead of time if possible so we can offer your spot to someone else.

Confidentiality & Consent

What’s shared in the Project Life community stays in the community. Conversations that begin in Project Life spaces—including live meetings, forums, private messages, or any other platform—should not be recorded, screenshotted, or shared outside the community without explicit consent from all participants. This policy protects the privacy and safety of everyone participating.
To further respect privacy and maintain a safe space, please do not share HIPAA-protected information or post documents containing medical results (e.g., scans, test reports) on any Project Life platform. You are welcome to share your experiences in your own words, but we ask that all medical content be handled with discretion.

Respect & Inclusion

Project Life upholds a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Discrimination, microaggressions, or violations of our DEI values will not be tolerated. We ask all members to respect others’ identities including but not limited to race, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, physical appearance, gender, nationality, age, disability, marital status, or citizenship status.
Discrimination refers to unfair or prejudiced treatment of individuals or groups based on aspects of their identity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional comments or behaviors that express bias or reinforce stereotypes. These can be verbal, behavioral, or environmental and may make others feel excluded, dismissed, or disrespected—even if harm was not intended.
Creating a truly inclusive community means actively working to avoid both overt discrimination and subtle forms of bias, and being open to learning when harm is caused.
Please reference our policy on diversity, equity, and inclusion here.

Creating a Safe Space

We strive to foster an interactive, hopeful, and healing environment where all members feel seen, heard, respected, and supported. Creating a safe space means showing up with empathy, care, and an openness to different experiences. Be mindful of the space you take up—leave room for others to speak, reflect, and share. This includes avoiding interrupting, dominating conversations, or offering unsolicited advice, medical or otherwise. Together, we co-create a space where vulnerability is met with respect and everyone has the opportunity to participate meaningfully.

Don’t Say This	Say This
“At least you’re not going through [x].”	“I’m sorry you’re going through this. How can I support you?”
“I know exactly how you feel.”	“I can’t imagine how you feel, but I’m here to listen and support you in any way I can.”
“You should try [this treatment/approach].”	“I’ve heard about [this treatment/approach]. Would you like to learn more about it?” or “I understand that treatments can be overwhelming—let me know if you’d like to talk or explore options together.”
“It could be worse.”	“I’m here with you. How can I help?”
“You’re such a warrior/fighter/survivor.”	“How do you describe your experience with MBC?” or “What language feels right for you when talking about your diagnosis?”

Research and Advocacy

Any research-related opportunities shared within the Project Life community will be carefully reviewed by our Research Committee (or leadership team) to ensure they meet our standards of ethical practice, transparency, and benefit to our members. We are committed to providing research and advocacy opportunities that prioritize the well-being and interests of individuals living with metastatic breast cancer. All research opportunities will be vetted for alignment with our values and for respect of your time, privacy, and informed consent. As part of our review, the evaluation team will also assess whether the study appropriately compensates participants and demonstrates a clear appreciation for the lived experience and contributions of patients. We will only share opportunities that contribute positively to our mission and to the health and empowerment of our community members.