Where Wellness Meets Community Care: Palestra Spa & Studio’s 2026 Partnership with Carolina Breast Friends

At Palestra Spa & Studio, wellness has always meant more than what happens on the table or the mat. Located in the heart of SouthPark, we’re deeply rooted in our Charlotte community. We believe true wellness extends beyond our walls—into the lives, homes, and healing journeys of the people we serve.

That’s why we’re honored to announce Carolina Breast Friends as Palestra Spa & Studio’s primary charity partner for 2026. Together, we’re committed to supporting Survivors, Thrivers, and their loved ones with care that honors the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Why Carolina Breast Friends

Carolina Breast Friends is a Charlotte-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting breast cancer survivors and thrivers through connection, education, and compassion. Their work aligns closely with our mission at Palestra Spa & Studio: ensuring no one walks through diagnosis, treatment, or recovery alone.

From survivor support groups and educational programs to caregiver resources and community events, Carolina Breast Friends creates spaces where people feel seen, understood, and supported—physically, emotionally, and mentally. This reflects what we strive to offer every guest who walks through our doors in SouthPark: a place to feel more at home in their bodies, calmer in their nervous systems, and supported in their healing journey.

A Personal Commitment From Palestra Spa & Studio

For Palestra Spa & Studio owner Brian Collins, this partnership is deeply personal: “Breast cancer has touched many people I love, including my mother and my mother-in-law. I’ve seen firsthand how vital support, community, and compassionate care are—not just for patients but also for families and caregivers. Partnering with Carolina Breast Friends allows Palestra Spa & Studio to stand behind those who need it most and support an organization that truly changes lives in our Charlotte community.”

Brian’s experience reinforces what we believe at our core: wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all, and healing requires both expert care and genuine human connection. Our partnership with Carolina Breast Friends allows us to embody that belief in a tangible way for Survivors, Thrivers, and caregivers.

Supporting Patients and Caregivers Alike

Cancer affects entire families. Caregivers often bear emotional, physical, and mental stress that goes unseen. At Palestra Spa & Studio, we recognize that rest, nervous system regulation, gentle movement, and therapeutic touch can play a meaningful role in supporting patients and those who care for them.

Through this partnership, we look forward to offering moments of relief, grounding, and restoration—through massage, restorative yoga, breathwork, meditation, or simply by providing a calm, welcoming space in SouthPark where people can exhale. For Survivors and Thrivers, wellness becomes a way to reconnect with their bodies and redefine strength in a safe, supportive environment aligned with Carolina Breast Friends' mission.

Quarterly Partnership, Year-Long Commitment

Throughout 2026, Palestra Spa & Studio will partner with Carolina Breast Friends on a quarterly basis, supporting their mission through community-centered wellness initiatives, fundraising and awareness efforts, collaborative events that bring people together for a cause, and opportunities for our SouthPark community to support a local nonprofit doing vital work for breast cancer survivors and thrivers.

While our partnership will feature quarterly highlights, our commitment to Carolina Breast Friends—and to compassionate community care—remains ongoing. Our goal is to weave support for Survivors, Thrivers, and caregivers into the rhythm of our year, not just into isolated moments.

Voices From Carolina Breast Friends

We’re proud to collaborate with the incredible leadership team at Carolina Breast Friends, including Ashly Dollar and Michelle Weber, whose dedication to survivor support and community-building continues to inspire us.

Ashly Dollar, Programs & Volunteers Director, Carolina Breast Friends:
“Wellness for Survivors and Thrivers is about so much more than exercise—it’s about reconnecting with your body, rebuilding confidence, and caring for both mental and physical health in a way that feels safe and supportive. Partnering with Palestra allows us to offer our Survivors and Thrivers a space where movement is intentional, strength is redefined, and healing is honored at every stage. This partnership is incredibly valuable because it recognizes that true wellness happens when the mind and body are cared for together.”

Michelle Weber, Director of Development, Carolina Breast Friends:
“Thank you, Brian and Palestra Spa & Studio. We could not be more excited about our partnership with you as a 2026 Community Partner with Carolina Breast Friends. We are grateful for your efforts to raise funds in support of our programs and for your generosity in offering nutrition and wellness programming, including yoga and meditation classes, to our Survivors and Thrivers. We’re excited for our Survivors, Thrivers, and our community to experience your beautiful space and amazing staff.”

Where Wellness Meets Compassion

At Palestra Spa & Studio, we believe wellness is at its best when it becomes community care—when it extends beyond self-care into the shared spaces where people heal together. We honor that healing looks different for everyone, and that sometimes feeling better begins with feeling supported, understood, and welcomed exactly as you are.

We’re honored to stand alongside Carolina Breast Friends in 2026 and invite our SouthPark and greater Charlotte communities to join this meaningful partnership. Together, we’ll continue creating space for healing, connection, and hope—one person, one breath, and one moment of care at a time.