Breast Cancer in my 30’s
Kathryn and Savannah’s Story
Completed Treatment & Legacy Model
Read MoreMarci’s Stories
Completed Treatment & Legacy Model
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Kendall Smiley
Kendall Smiley credits her bucket list for saving her life. At 36 she entered a body building competition to check another goal off the list. She would go on to do much more than that, competing in multiple events and coming in first for most of them. On a strict eating and workout regiment, she was acutely aware of every aspect of her body. It’s why, when she felt a pea sized painful lump in her breast, she consulted her doctor right away.
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: Amy Kemeza
Just shy of turning 40, Amy Kemeza was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had felt a lump that continued to grow and a mammogram confirmed two large tumors in her lymph nodes. She went on to receive 20 weeks of chemotherapy and one round of immunotherapy. The treatment proved grueling and the side effects deeply challenging.
Read MoreMeet the Models, Christina Clements
“just because I am doing lots of things, doesn’t mean I am not dealing with things internally. One day I am going to die from this disease- I will never be cured, so I need to be making the most out of everyday. if I remain positive, that has a lot to say about my survival. I am going to keep on keeping on.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Justine Egan-Kunicki
The experience of cancer, she notes, makes one confront their own mortality, but in the same token “you also learn how strong you are. Despite the struggle, I have learned I am a strong person who can persist and continue to enjoy life.” Indeed, though she get the phrase of ‘new normal,’ Justine prefers to say she’s reframed her life now: “You find a way to make a new life.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Bethy Atkins
In August of 2020, Bethy Atkins began experiencing breast pain that did not subside after multiple menstrual cycles. She messaged her PCP immediately and unbeknownst to her, her doctor was a breast cancer survivor. She immediately brought Bethy in for an exam, where a clear lump was found: “it all happened really quickly.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Abby Pastyrnak
“You can be the kind of the person who pulls the covers over their head and feel sorry for themselves, or be the kind of person who goes out and lives their life. You get to choose.”
Read MoreMeet the Models: Balca Korkut Gok
“listen to your body. If something feels off, it usually is. No one will advocate for you if you don’t advocate for yourself. Go to the doctor- do NOT miss your annual screenings.”
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