Jenn Monkiewicz’s Story

Why are you returning for Runway’s 20th Anniversary?

Jenn Monkiewicz is returning because Runway for Recovery has become much more than an event.

“It’s a community that truly understands this journey,” Jenn says.

Her first Runway experience was incredibly meaningful, and she knew she wanted to come back. This year, the 20th Anniversary Show feels like a beautiful opportunity to celebrate everyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer.

“The 20th Anniversary feels like a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the strength, courage, and resilience of everyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer,” she says.

 

What will we be celebrating when you step onto the Runway stage this year?

This year, Jenn will be celebrating life.

“Another year, the people I love, and the strength I’ve found within myself,” she says.

She will also be celebrating the ability to keep moving forward and embrace what is ahead.

For Jenn, walking the Runway is not about being defined by breast cancer. It is about celebrating where she is today.

“I will be celebrating the ability to keep moving forward and embracing what’s ahead,” Jenn says, “rather than being defined by what I’ve been through.”

 

How has breast cancer shaped your journey, and where are you today?

Breast cancer changed Jenn’s perspective on life.

“It taught me not to take time, relationships, experiences, or simply feeling well for granted,” she says. “It showed me how resilient I can be and what truly matters.”

Today, Jenn is focused on living fully.

She is spending time with the people she loves, traveling, working, exercising, and saying yes to the things that bring her joy.

“I’ve learned that survivorship isn’t just about getting through something,” Jenn says. “It’s about finding your way forward and creating a meaningful life.”

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the Runway community?

Jenn wants others to know that they do not have to be strong every day.

“You don’t have to be strong every day, and you don’t have to have all the answers,” she says.

She knows there will be hard days, but she also knows there can be beautiful ones.

“There will be hard days,” Jenn says, “but there can also be incredibly beautiful ones.”

Jenn is grateful to be part of a community that reminds people they are not alone. And this year, she is especially grateful to step onto the Runway stage again.

“I’m especially grateful to step onto the Runway again,” Jenn says, “not because of what happened to me, but because of where I am today and the life I continue to choose to live.”