Brittany’s Story

Meet the Models, SoCal: Brittany Costarella

When Brittany Costarella was first diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2023, her reaction was calm, almost pragmatic. Working in an office of 50 women, she had thought, “I’m one in eight”—mentally prepared, in some ways, for the possibility. But what followed came as a crushing surprise. While still recovering from a mastectomy, she was told that her cancer had rapidly progressed. By January 2024, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

“I wailed,” Brittany recalls. “I remember the sound that came out of me as my husband held me. All I could think of was death.”

That moment of devastation marked the beginning of a journey that would challenge her physically, mentally, and spiritually. Over the next 16 months, Brittany endured a cascade of surgeries, the removal of expanders, radiation treatments, and the decision to stay flat. Due to a BRIP1 genetic mutation, her cancer was aggressive, and immunotherapy had to be delayed while her body recovered from multiple procedures. The wait was agonizing—every delay filled with fear that the cancer would spread even further.

But through it all, Brittany never stopped showing up for herself—or for her son.

“More than anything, this has been about keeping my son safe and confident,” she says. “I don’t want him to live in fear of this disease.”

A Year of Voice, Visibility, and Victory

Now, one year post-surgery, Brittany finds herself in a new season—one marked by strength, visibility, and voice. She’s celebrating another birthday, feeling connected to the broader MBC community, and leaning into life with renewed purpose. For her, this year is not just about survival. It’s about claiming the right to thrive.

As she approaches her first Runway for Recovery show in Southern California, Brittany says she’s walking to represent what it truly looks like to live—and live well—with metastatic breast cancer. She walks in honor of those lost, in celebration of those still fighting, and to show others that possibility exists where fear often resides.

Her story is proof that devastation and clarity can coexist—and that hope is not just for the early stages of illness. It’s for every moment forward.

Resilience Through Community

What Brittany didn’t expect was how deeply others would show up. “Everyone in every nook of my life helped,” she reflects. “I let go, embraced my friends, and allowed the help.” Her support system showed up in meaningful ways—from food deliveries and quiet visits to walks, transportation, and companionship. One friend even scheduled regular hair washes and blow-drys for her post-mastectomy, helping Brittany feel seen and cared for in vulnerable moments. Another arranged a surprise birthday getaway with her closest girlfriends.

Radiation, which she had feared, turned out to be more manageable than expected—thanks largely to a kind, compassionate care team. But the waiting—especially between surgeries and delayed immunotherapy—was the hardest part. “I worried constantly,” Brittany says. “The cancer came on so fast, and I couldn’t start treatment right away. It was terrifying.”

Still, amidst it all, she discovered that healing doesn't always come from advice—it comes from presence. “Not everything has to be about cancer,” she says. “Laugh with them. Talk about life. Let them be more than a patient. People don’t remember perfect words. They remember presence.”

Choosing to Thrive

Living with MBC has changed Brittany’s relationship to time, purpose, and joy. It’s not something she’d ever have chosen, but it has redefined how she lives.

“Breast cancer has woven itself into every part of my life—not just as a diagnosis, but as a catalyst for growth, clarity, and resilience,” she says. “I choose joy. I choose strength. I choose to live fully, loudly, and with purpose.”

As she walks the runway, Brittany carries with her not just the weight of all she’s endured—but the pride of all she’s overcome. Her story is a reminder that even in the most unimaginable circumstances, there is space for strength, softness, and celebration.

Her message to others is simple and powerful:

“Breathe. Don’t let the fear of what you can’t control take the best of you.”