Posts by Caroline O'Donnell
Meet the Models: Rebecca Read
Rebecca Read spent all of 2020 as an emergency room nurse during the height of the pandemic. It was an extremely stressful period of life, which is why she felt like, entering 2021, things were starting to return to normalcy. That feeling wouldn’t last long when, after receiving the COVID vaccine, she had an adverse reaction. The reaction prompted doctors to take a CAT scan of her chest, which revealed a lump. Further testing would result in a breast cancer diagnosis on November 30, 2021.
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Renee Plodzik
“there is so much in the breast cancer world about early detection and so little about support after you have been diagnosed.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Sarah Martarano
Sarah Martarano was 43 when she decided to do some self care and schedule all of her routine doctors appointments. During her appointment with her PCP, a lump was found and she was immediately referred to a breast center. That same day, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and months of grueling treatment ensued.
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Jennifer Leventhal
When her sister Meredith Parkinson was diagnosed with breast cancer, “we were leveled” and completely shocked. Avid about her own mammograms, Jennifer received a clear mammogram in November 2021. In January however, she felt a lump and immediately called the doctor: “if Meredith had not been diagnosed, I don’t think I would have been as proactive. Otherwise, I would have just gone off my previous healthy mammogram and waited until the next year.” Even just the fact that she did a self exam is an ode to Meredith, as she had never been doing them previously.
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Kathleen Friel
“Five years later and I am still here and living. This diagnosis is not just a go home and die situation.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Madeleine Halle
At just 26 years old, Madeline was catapulted into the breast cancer world with ““the total unknown of what breast cancer looks like or how it would impact my life.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Alison Sherman
Alison Sherman comes from a family impacted by breast cancer. In fact, of all her family members diagnosed with the disease, there is no other survivor.
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Kimberly Daly
“I didn’t want to spend all of my time being sad and mad. I had to know there was going to be an end where I could be ok.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Jillian Black
Her appreciation for the support she received is why she is passionate about partaking in Runway this year: “You need that support and not everyone is lucky enough to have it. Runway provides the support I didn’t need, but know is absolutely crucial.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Jennifer Brock
For Jennifer Brock, her breast cancer diagnosis has led to a more grateful life. While that might seem like an oxymoron, prior to diagnosis, “I absolutely had more of a glass half empty mentality.” Since having cancer, she finds she looks at the glass half full.
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