Breast Cancer in my 40’s
Deane’s Story
When Deanne heard the words no one ever expects—you have breast cancer—her first reaction was pure shock. Despite catching it early and learning it was hormone-based, the news still felt surreal. What truly made it real was the daily number of women diagnosed—a statistic that kept echoing in her mind long after the doctor’s visit was over.
Read MoreFrom Chemo Treatments to Marathon Miles
In September of 2023, 38-year-old Amy Burke was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Burke, a middle school teacher and mom of two, faced 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 straight days of radiation over the next year. After intensive treatment and a double mastectomy, the Haverhill native became cancer-free in 2024. Now, over two years later, Burke trains for the 130th Boston Marathon as one of four runners for Runway for Recovery, a non-profit that supports families’ journeys with breast cancer.
Read MoreJulie’s Story
Julie had been down this road before—biopsies, scans, and follow-ups for six years. With dense breast tissue making every image inconclusive, each year brought more uncertainty and more anxiety. So when her doctor finally called with the news—stage 0 DCIS—she didn’t feel fear. She felt relief.
Read MoreKristen Dahlgren, Today Show Correspondant, to Model in Runway Show, SoCal in Newport Beach on 2/28/26
This year, that impact will be on full display at the Runway Show: Southern California on February 28, where we are honored to feature Spotlight Model Kristen Dahlgren, Today Show correspondent and breast cancer survivor. Kristen’s voice, advocacy, and lived experience reflect the heart of Runway for Recovery and the reason this night matters so deeply.
Read MoreRocio’s Story
In early 2023, Rocio Martin Hoyos was in one of the healthiest seasons of her life—physically strong, emotionally grounded, and deeply focused on wellness. She had prioritized her body and mind for months, and was feeling better than she had in years. So when she found a lump, it came as a jarring surprise.
Read MoreMarcella’s Story — SoCal
When Marcella Powell was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer in March of 2022, it felt like the ground disappeared beneath her feet. An itchy breast and an unusual white discharge prompted her to seek medical advice. Initially dismissed as “normal,” her instincts urged her to get a second opinion — one that ultimately saved her life.
Read MoreLaura’s Story
As both a physician and a breast cancer patient, Laura Tangredi found herself navigating a journey she thought she knew — only to realize how personal, emotional, and life-altering the experience truly is.
Read MoreHailey’s Story
For Hailey Harris, breast cancer was more than a diagnosis — it was a complete unraveling of life as she knew it. But in the space left behind, something new began to grow.
Read MoreBrittany’s Story
For Brittany Costarella, living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has been a whirlwind of surgeries, treatments, and emotional challenges — but also growth, clarity, and an ever-deepening sense of community.
Read MoreChristina’s Story
When Christina Clements received her breast cancer diagnosis, she was stationed thousands of miles from home on the remote island of Guam, with her children just 5 and 8 years old. The news was devastating—and isolating. But Christina’s resilience, bolstered by the people who showed up for her, carried her through one of the most challenging chapters of her life.
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