Marie’s Story

Meet the Models: Marie Rose

Marie Rose’s cancer journey began on a day that should have felt ordinary—but instead became unforgettable. It was Boston Marathon Day in 2012. As she walked through the crowds of tired, triumphant runners wrapped in foil blankets, Marie was reeling. She had just left a specialist’s office after a biopsy and was walking alone with the devastating knowledge that her life had changed.

“I had just had a normal mammogram a few months earlier,” she recalls. “It was actually my gynecologist who felt a lump. The biopsy happened immediately. There was no waiting.”

That sudden shift—from routine to diagnosis—was jarring. With three children at the time—ages 19, 17, and 14—Marie knew she wanted to keep things as normal as possible at home, even as she underwent seven months of treatment. Her determination was quiet but unwavering.

The Power of Support

Throughout treatment, Marie discovered the value of both medical and emotional support. Her breast cancer support group became a lifeline. The group’s leader, a nurse at Tufts Medical Center, provided both practical advice and heartfelt encouragement. It was there that Marie met one of her dearest friends, Kathleen Keeley, with whom she’s still close more than a decade later.

“It was such a help just knowing I wasn’t alone,” she says.

Her neighbors also stepped in, bringing meals to help her family as she juggled full-time work and caregiving responsibilities. Small gestures—rides, meals, and time—meant everything.

Finding Peace in the Present

Now, 13 years since her first diagnosis and 9 years living with metastatic breast cancer, Marie reflects often on the journey and the surprising lessons it has brought. One of those was how far treatment has come: “The side effects from chemotherapy were not as bad as I thought they would be. There have been many improvements.”

The biggest shift, however, has been in her perspective. “I appreciate every day so much more now,” she says. “I’m retired, and I’m living life to the fullest. That’s what makes this year so special.”

Her Advice for Others

Marie is quick to share the kinds of help that made a real difference for her:

“Offer rides. Babysit. Bring over meals. Sometimes it’s the practical things that are the most helpful.”

She also encourages others to stay informed and connected: “Ask questions. Join a support group. Advocate for yourself. You are not alone.”

This year, Marie walks the runway with the wisdom of someone who has lived through fear, embraced community, and now chooses to find joy in every single day.