Larissa Radeker’s Story

How has breast cancer affected your life?

Larissa Radecker is a mother of three from Tewksbury, Massachusetts, who is currently facing Stage IV inflammatory breast cancer.

Her cancer has spread to her bones, including her back and femur, and she is undergoing aggressive treatment.

Recently, Larissa learned that her cancer was continuing to spread. Her doctors shared that if her current chemotherapy does not work, she may have only three to six months to live.

For Larissa, that news has made time with her family more precious than ever.

 

Tell us about your children.

Larissa's three children are the heart of her world.

Her oldest, Gianluca, is in seventh grade. He loves STEM and science and has already earned an impressive list of academic achievements.

Kason, her second grader, is the athlete of the family. He loves playing flag football and soccer.

Her youngest, Kaiya, is in first grade. She loves sports, has a constant smile, and may just have a future in cheerleading.

Even through the exhaustion of treatment, Larissa continues to show up for her children whenever she can.

She rarely misses a soccer game, cheer competition, or birthday celebration.

Her children are her priority, and being present for these moments means everything to her.

 

What made you want to walk in Runway's 20th Anniversary Show?

When Larissa received an email about the possibility of families and children walking the Runway together, something about it stayed with her.

She knew immediately how much the experience would mean to her family.

“Your email about families and children walking together truly touched my heart,” Larissa wrote. “I would do anything to walk in this show to show my children that I am still me, even with cancer.”

With the show already approaching capacity, Larissa reached out to ask whether there might be room for one more model.

She explained her diagnosis and the uncertainty surrounding her treatment.

“It would mean the world to my family and me to be part of the Boston show on October 29.”

For Larissa, walking the Runway was not simply about participating in an event. It was about being able to share an experience with her children while she could.

 

What does being part of Runway mean to your family?

When the Runway team found a way to welcome Larissa and her children into the 20th Anniversary Show, she was deeply grateful.

“Thank you again to you and the entire team for figuring out a way to say yes to my family,” she wrote.

Larissa has spent so much of her life showing up for others. Her friends describe her as a selfless mother who has become a beloved part of the Tewksbury community.

Now, that same community is showing up for her.

Runway offers Larissa something she wants deeply: an opportunity to make another memory with her children.

It is a chance for Gianluca, Kason, and Kaiya to see their mother celebrated on stage, surrounded by a community that understands what their family is facing.

Most importantly, it is a chance for Larissa to show them that she is still herself.

For one night, the focus will not be on scans or treatments. It will be on a mother sharing the Runway with her children, showing them exactly what she hoped they would see:

“I am still me, even with cancer.”