Andrea Myette’s Story

How has breast cancer affected you?

When Andrea Myette thinks about how breast cancer has affected her, a few words come to mind.

Stronger.

More hopeful.

More open.

Andrea was raised in a family where difficult things were not often discussed. When her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, her family did not talk openly about it.

“My dad pretended they were going on a trip,” Andrea says.

When Andrea could not locate her parents, she eventually learned that her mother was in the hospital having a mastectomy.

“She didn’t want us to know,” Andrea says.

Her mother went on to live a long life and eventually passed away from other causes, but that experience shaped how Andrea understood illness, privacy, and strength.

So when Andrea was later diagnosed with breast cancer herself, she approached it in a similar way.

She told her children. She told the people who needed to know. But she did not want to dwell on it.

“It’s not the focus,” she remembers thinking. “We’ll just pretend like life’s normal.”

And for a while, that is what she did.

 

What was it like to be diagnosed yourself?

Andrea’s first diagnosis came more than 20 years ago.

Because her mother had breast cancer, part of Andrea almost expected it.

“Of course my mom had it, so of course I have it,” she says.

She was scared, as anyone would be. She read everything she could find. But in many ways, she took it in stride. She went to treatment, including chemotherapy, and handled much of it independently.

“I didn’t ask people to come with me,” she says.

That independence had always been part of who Andrea was. She was used to handling things on her own, not asking for help, and not making herself the center of attention.

But years later, when breast cancer affected her daughter, everything felt different.

 

What changed when Lindsay was diagnosed?

Andrea had a recurrence about four years ago, but by then, she had already walked through breast cancer in another deeply personal way.

Her daughter, Lindsay McLaughlin, had been diagnosed too.

That experience opened Andrea up in a way her own diagnosis had not.

“That’s what really opened me up,” Andrea says. “Her influence.”

Andrea suddenly understood what her own mother may have felt.

“I felt responsible,” she says. “It’s because of me that she has it.”

Andrea knows Lindsay is independent, much like she is. So she tried to support her in the way Lindsay needed, without taking over.

“I just sort of stood by for what she needed,” Andrea says.

Still, watching her daughter go through breast cancer was nerve-wracking. It added another layer to Andrea’s own story and changed the way she saw support, family, and openness.

 

What has Runway meant to you and your family?

At first, Andrea was cautious.

“That’s just not me,” she says. “I don’t like to put a spotlight on myself.”

Walking down the runway still feels hard for her. She is self-conscious and does not naturally seek attention.

But for Andrea, Runway is about far more than the runway itself.

“It’s all the other stuff,” she says. “It’s their mission. It’s the love, it’s the sincerity, the drive.”

Andrea sees the way Runway honors every person impacted by breast cancer: mothers, fathers, grandparents, children, and entire families. She sees the pride, respect, and care woven into the community.

And it has changed her.

“It’s just softened me a little bit,” Andrea says.

What has Runway taught you?

For much of her life, Andrea was the kind of person who handled things alone.

Independent.

Self-sufficient.

Determined not to need help.

“I don’t need your help,” she says. “I don’t need your support. I got this.”

But Runway has helped her see things differently.

It has shown her that reaching out is not weakness. It is connection. It is support. It is community.

“It’s much better if you reach out and join in,” Andrea says.

That realization has become one of the biggest gifts of her experience with Runway.

Breast cancer made Andrea stronger, but community helped make her more open.

 

What are you most excited about this year?

This year, Andrea is excited to be part of Runway for Recovery’s 20th Anniversary Show.

She sees the milestone not only as a celebration of everything Runway has built, but as the beginning of everything still to come.

“I see another 20 easily,” Andrea says. “You’ve made it for sure. But you’re in a way just getting started.”

Andrea may still feel nervous about walking down the runway, but she feels deeply honored to be part of the night, the community, and the mission.

“I’m really thrilled to be a part,” she says. “I feel very honored to be a part.”

We are so glad to have Andrea as a part of our 20th Anniversary show in Boston! See you on the stage, Andrea!