Lily Hsin’s Story

When did your Runway story begin?

Lily Hsin was only eight years old when she first shared her story with Runway.

Now, six years later, she is 14, starting high school, and returning to the Runway stage as part of the 20th anniversary show in Boston.

For Lily, Runway has become a meaningful way to honor Rachael's memory.

“I think really it’s just us being able to honor her memory and keep her alive,” Lily says.

Over the years, Runway has given Lily and her family a way to share who Rachael was, what she meant to them, and the kind of person she was.

“This gives us a way to spread the word so everyone knows who Rachael was,” Lily says.

What has Runway given your family?

For Lily, Runway is more than a show. It is a community.

It has given her and her family a place to remember Rachael alongside people who understand grief, love, and the importance of keeping someone’s memory present.

“I think it also just provides a good community,” Lily says, “because that can be hard to deal with sometimes.”

Some of Lily’s favorite Runway moments have happened backstage, where models and families share stories and memories with one another.

A few years ago, Lily remembers being backstage with other models, talking about Rachael and sharing memories.

That kind of connection has stayed with her.

 

What has it meant to walk with family?

Runway has also given Lily’s family moments they never expected.

One year, her grandparents walked with her.

“I don’t think they ever thought they would walk with Runway,” Lily says.

It was a new experience for them, and a special one for Lily. Standing on stage together became another way for the family to honor Rachael, celebrate her memory, and be part of something joyful together.

For Lily, those moments are part of what makes Runway so powerful: it gives families a way to carry love and memory onto the stage.

 

How has Runway changed the way you talk about breast cancer?

Being part of Runway has helped Lily become more open about breast cancer and its impact.

Before Runway, she says her family did not always talk about it as much. Now, she feels more able to share, connect, and speak about Rachael's story.

“It’s helped me open up,” Lily says. “Now I feel like I can talk about it more.”

As she starts high school, Lily is already finding ways to bring that openness into her own community. Someone on her dance team has a mother who had breast cancer, and Lily and her mom have talked with them about Runway.

Now, they are even thinking about doing a Play for P.I.N.K. event with Lily’s dance team and finding ways to connect that community to Runway too.

For Lily, sharing Rachael's story has become part of how she helps others feel less alone.

 

What do you look forward to at a Runway show?

For Lily, one of the best parts of Runway happens before anyone steps onto the stage.

She loves being backstage.

“Probably just being backstage,” Lily says. “There’s just really good energy.”

Backstage is where people talk, get ready, bond, and share pieces of their stories. For Lily, that energy is one of the things that makes Runway feel so special.

“Everyone is kind of bonding,” she says.

She has also loved the fashion over the years, including a sparkly pink dress that stands out as one of her favorites.

And, of course, as a dancer, Lily brings her own energy to the stage.

 

What does this year mean to you?

This year, Lily is coming to Boston for Runway’s 20th anniversary.

It is a full-circle moment: from being eight years old when she first shared her story, to returning now as a freshman in high school, still dancing in Rachael's memory.

Runway has given Lily a place to remember Rachael, talk about breast cancer more openly, connect with others, and continue sharing love through movement, community, and celebration.

On the Runway stage, we look forward to celebrating Lily, the memory of Rachael, and the beautiful way Lily continues to dance, remember, and help keep Rachael's story alive.