Alison’s Story

In May 2023, Alison Feller was diagnosed with stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. Her daughter Annie was just four years old at the time, and the news sent Alison into a spiral of shock and fear.

“I remember sobbing in the middle of the night after my diagnosis, terrified that I might die and leave my daughter without her mom.”

Two years later, in May 2025, Alison received another devastating update: her cancer had progressed to stage IV with metastasis to the bones. During a long meeting with her medical oncologist, Alison asked the question many patients hesitate to ask — her prognosis. The answer, based on current data, was five to ten years.

Her doctor cried as she shared the news. Alison did too.

But in that moment, Alison wasn’t thinking about her own age. She was thinking about Annie.

“I didn’t do the math to think about how old I’ll be. I thought about how old Annie will be. Eleven to sixteen. That’s far too young for a girl to lose her mom.”

In that moment of fear and heartbreak, Alison made a decision: she would fight with everything she had.

“I committed to taking the most aggressive approach possible, and to truly live for as long as I can.”

At the center of Alison’s world is her daughter. Annie fuels every decision she makes and every day she continues to show up for treatment, for life, and for the future she hopes to share with her.

But Alison has never faced this journey alone. Her friends, family, and an enormous online community from her work in the running industry have rallied around her in extraordinary ways — stocking freezers, traveling to sit beside her through long chemo days, helping with cold capping treatments, and making sure Annie always feels surrounded by love.

“Their support has done more for me than any anti-nausea medication ever could.”

Alison also credits her breast surgeon, Dr. Kari Rosenkranz, with changing everything. When Alison first met her in 2023, she was terrified and overwhelmed. But Dr. Rosenkranz brought something Alison desperately needed: calm, confidence, and compassion.

“She walked in wearing her signature high heels, and suddenly I felt like I could breathe again.”

Dr. Rosenkranz spent hours answering questions, holding Alison’s hand through difficult conversations, and guiding her through each step of treatment. Two years later, she even attended Alison’s 40th birthday celebration.

“My friends and I have a saying now: In Rosenkranz we trust.”

For Alison, one of the most important lessons she’s learned is how powerful support can be — and how it doesn’t have to look perfect.

“There are so many ways to be a Support Person. It doesn’t have to mean chemo appointments or casseroles. Asking ‘How can I help?’ is impossible to answer as a patient. Instead, think about how you can help — and just do it.”

When she offers advice to someone newly diagnosed, Alison keeps it simple:

“Breathe. The time right after diagnosis is the hardest and scariest part. Take one to-do list item at a time.”

Today, Alison continues to navigate treatment while raising Annie and living as fully as possible. Her story is one of fierce love, relentless determination, and the deep power of community. You can hear Alison on her Apple Music Podcast, Ali on the Run, or follow her on instagram page @aliontherun. We especially love the segment when she got a chance to speak to another New York City Runway model, Katie Couric.

And every day, she keeps her promise — to fight, to live, and to be there for her daughter.

Alison and her daughter Annie will both be on our Runway in NYC on April 30th, and they will be styled by LoveShackFancy.