Ann Reis’s Story

Where are you currently in your cancer journey?

Today, Anne Reis is in total remission.

She was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2009 and went through several surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, years of six-month checkups and testing, and hormone and endocrine therapy.

Now, 17 years cancer-free, Anne is in her second year of not taking any cancer-related medications.

She is also celebrating a new and joyful chapter: becoming a grandmother.

 

What has changed since the last time you walked with us?

A lot has changed since Anne first walked the Runway.

She is no longer taking prescriptions, and she is now a proud grandmother of two beautiful children.

But one of the biggest changes is the way Runway has become connected not only to Anne’s own cancer story, but to her twin sister Molly’s story too.

 

What inspired you to walk with us again for our 20th year?

When Anne first walked the Runway in 2012, she was celebrating a couple of years of remission from breast cancer. Her identical twin sister, Molly, walked with her in support.

They had hoped to walk again together.

But in 2013, Molly was diagnosed with cancer: not breast cancer, but a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma. That fall, Anne walked with her sisters to celebrate Molly, who was too deep in treatment to walk herself.

At the time, they believed Molly would survive.

Tragically, after 13 months of treatment, Molly passed away in April 2014.

In the years that followed, Runway continued to hold space for their family. Molly’s children walked, and later Anne walked with a collection of her own children and Molly’s children.

Now, as Runway celebrates its 20th Anniversary, returning to the stage feels meaningful in a new way.

Anne is 17 years cancer-free. She is a grandmother. She is celebrating life. And Molly’s spirit remains with her always.

When Olivia reached out to ask if she would consider walking again, Anne did not hesitate.

“I want to celebrate life, of course, with my twin’s spirit always with me,” she says.

 

What does this milestone mean to you?

For Anne, walking the Runway has always been amazing and inspiring.

This year, the milestone is about more than her own survivorship. It is about honoring Molly, celebrating 17 years cancer-free, and supporting the families Runway was created to hold.

Anne knows how deeply cancer can affect an entire family. She knows what it means to survive, and she knows what it means to lose someone you love.

That is why Runway’s mission matters so much to her.

“I mostly want to support those children and families whose mothers didn’t survive cancer,” Anne says. “Runway for Recovery does an amazing job doing just that.”

We are honored to celebrate Anne as part of Runway for Recovery’s 20th Anniversary Show.