Sara Weiss’s Story

How has breast cancer affected you?

Sara Weiss was 30 years old when she was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

In the years since, breast cancer has shaped nearly every part of her life.

“My original breast cancer diagnosis has kind of guided what I’ve done,” she says.

Personally, it changed the way she moved through the world. Professionally, it guided the work she chose to do. Sara went on to dedicate her life to helping women with breast cancer: doing advocacy work for Dana-Farber, creating an organization for young women with breast cancer, providing services that did not exist, and working in the clinical trial space.

Sara has now faced cancer three times: two breast cancer diagnoses and one head and neck cancer diagnosis.

She was treated at Dana-Farber and Mass General, and one of the most meaningful full-circle moments in her career was bringing a clinical trial for metastatic breast cancer that had spread to the brain back to Dana-Farber.

“That felt like success to me,” Sara says.

 

How has breast cancer shaped your family?

Sara’s children grew up watching their mother turn her diagnosis into purpose.

At a young age, they saw her speaking one-on-one with newly diagnosed patients, working with medical centers, supporting grants, creating resources, and advocating for the funding and services families needed.

They saw the way breast cancer impacted her personally and professionally.

And now, they want to be part of that work too.

“What’s wonderful is that they have decided that they want to be involved in this as well,” Sara says.

For Sara, that means everything.

Her children have not only witnessed the impact of breast cancer. They have also witnessed the power of showing up for others, and they have chosen to carry that forward.

 

Where are you today?

Today, Sara is 58.

It has been 28 years since her first diagnosis at 30. She was diagnosed with her second breast cancer at 48 and head and neck cancer at 53.

Sara feels lucky to be alive.

She is spending time in Oregon with her family, windsurfing, mountain biking, road biking, and being on the water.

“Every day that I’m out here and I’m on the water, it feels great,” Sara says.

There are still scans. There are still false positives. There is still anxiety when those appointments come up.

But Sara has learned how to give cancer its place without letting it take over everything.

“I’ve been very lucky to be able to create a space where I put the cancer diagnosis and what I need to do in an area, and go on and live my life,” she says.

What has Runway meant to your children?

Runway has made a profound impact on Sara’s children.

Her son Tyler is now part of the youth board and volunteered at the New York show. During that event, he noticed a woman sitting alone and went over to talk with her. Later, he brought Sara over to meet her too.

Sara was struck by what that moment showed her.

“You’re a 21-year-old boy,” she remembers thinking. “Not a lot of people have that in them.”

For Sara, seeing her children become people who notice others, step toward them, and offer connection has been one of the most meaningful parts of their Runway experience.

“I’m just endlessly proud of who they are,” she says.

What does the 20th Anniversary mean to you?

Sara’s children have grown up on the Runway stage.

When she looks back at photos, she sees them at 10 and 5 years old, walking down the runway. Now, they are young adults, still connected to the community and still wanting to be involved.

“My children have grown up on the stage,” Sara says.

That history makes Runway’s 20th Anniversary feel especially meaningful.

At one point, Sara talked with her children about the idea of pulling back from Runway. They were not ready.

“They’re like, we’re not ready for that,” she says. “We want you to stay involved.”

For Sara’s family, Runway has become more than an event. It has become a community, a place where her children have met people who understand what they have been through without needing to explain it.

“Runway has meant the world to them,” Sara says.

 

What has Runway created for young people?

Sara is especially grateful for the way Runway has created opportunities for young people to get involved.

Through the youth board, Olivia and the Runway team have brought young people into the organization and shown them that they can make a difference.

Young people do not always have clear opportunities to participate in breast cancer advocacy or family support. Runway has given them one.

 

What advice would you give someone newly diagnosed?

Sara’s advice is clear: use the resources offered to you.

The Runway community is deep, and its support extends beyond formal services.

“There are people that have been there, done that, and who want to help and want to share,” Sara says.

Her message is simple.

“Tap into it.”

 

What are you most excited about this year?

This year, Sara is most excited to walk with her children.

There was a previous Runway show when Sara thought she would be walking with Tyler. As she stood there, she found herself missing her daughter, Sydney.

What Sara did not know was that a friend had flown Sydney in from Michigan as a surprise.

During the practice run, Sara came off the runway with Tyler and saw Sydney standing there.

“It was wonderful,” Sara says.

Thankfully, Sara had brought two dresses. Sydney put one on and walked the runway too.

For Sara, having her children beside her is the greatest gift.

It is a miracle that they are here. It is a miracle that she was able to have children after her diagnosis. And it is a miracle that they want to be part of this community.

“I just feel so lucky,” Sara says. “I can’t wait to walk the runway with them by my side.”

And we can’t wait to cheer them all on as they do!