Liz Silverman’s Story

How has breast cancer affected your life?

When Liz Silverman was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she shared one thought with her children.

“We can’t choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we will react to it.”

In 2016, Liz wrote about how her family took those words to heart. Breast cancer was not something they chose, but they tried to decide what they would do with it.

For Liz and her family, that meant finding more joy wherever they could.

More dance parties.
An occasional skipped school day.
More sunsets.
More moments together.

It also meant helping the people who would come after them on the breast cancer path.

 

What has Runway meant to you?

Runway became a special part of that commitment.

For Liz, it offered a community of survivors and children who understood the ways breast cancer changes a family. It was not a community she or Charlotte ever imagined they would need, but once they found it, it became deeply meaningful.

“Runway is the best club that Charlotte and I never imagined we would want to join,” Liz wrote in 2016.

That line captures so much of what Runway gives families: not a reason for what happened, but a place to be held through it.

 

What has Runway given Charlotte?

For Charlotte, walking in honor of her mom gave breast cancer a different shape.

It became something more than fear or uncertainty. On the Runway stage, breast cancer could become hopeful. It could become strong. It could become proud.

Runway also gave Charlotte a way to help other children whose families were going through something similar. By sharing her story and walking beside her mom, she became part of a community that helps other kids feel less alone.

 

What are we celebrating this year?

This year, we are celebrating Liz and her family’s choice to keep finding joy.

We can’t wait to cheer Liz on again!