Currently in Treatment
Meet 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: Kate Lepore
Kate Lepore was shocked to learn of her breast cancer diagnosis. She had no family history, but in years past she had dense tissue that had always later been cleared as normal by doctors. It’s why, when her mammogram came back abnormal six months ago, she assumed she would be cleared once again. While the news was profoundly life changing, the one positive was that Kate’s dedication to adhere to regular mammograms allowed her breast cancer to be caught early, which increases her chances of a great outcome. It was a small comfort during an otherwise arduous time.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Jenn Puhle
Jen Puhle is in the thick of her cancer battle. Nearly a year ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and a mere few weeks later received a double mastectomy. While her mother had breast cancer in her 70s, Jen had no family history and was BRCA negative. Her MRI was just precautionary, as she had dense breast tissue. When the doctor came back with the results, all Jen remembers is her saying, “you’re not going to die from this.”
Read MoreMeet the Models: Emily Friedrichs
When Emily Friedrichs was 17, she lost her mother to breast cancer. At just 43, her mother left behind Emily and her two brothers, ages 14 and 10 at the time. Her battle defined most of the children’s lives, especially her youngest brother: “my mom was sick for three years before her death, so my youngest brother was only 6 and for him, most of his memories of her involve breast cancer.” It’s why, as Emily got older, she was diligent about self-exams and and breast MRI’s. The early screening would pay off because although she herself was unfortunately diagnosed, her early stage diagnosis meant a very treatable prognosis.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Katie Smith
Katie Smith was enjoying all the facets of being a new mother to her boys, ages 2 and 5. In fact, she and her husband were trying for a third. Six months prior, given extensive family history of breast cancer, Katie received her first mammogram, at an earlier than typical age, and was all clear. She carried on with family life and being a science teacher to her middle schoolers. Her seemingly blissful family existence was soon shattered, first by a miscarriage and then a devastating diagnosis of stage four metastatic breast cancer. Katie has been fighting the disease for three years now.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Barbara Bigelow
Barbara Bigelow is a force in the world of breast cancer. Cancer has been apart of her life for twenty years. She was originally diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and entered treatment. What proved to be even more shocking was that in her first year of treatment, her two sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly, one sister passed away of metastatic breast cancer.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Rebecca Kitchen
Rebecca Kitchen was on her way to urgent care when she decided to stop home for a quick shower. While showering she noticed a lump in her breast. Not thinking much of it, she brought it up to the urgent care doctor just in case. He too believed it to be a cyst, or something minor given Rebecca’s young age of 30. To be safe he sent her for a mammogram and ultrasound, both of which came back inconclusive. Three biopsies later, Rebecca was diagnosed with stage three ductal carcinoma breast cancer. It came as a complete shock: “it was so far outside the realm of possibilities for me. I would never have even thought it was possible.” Indeed, Rebecca had no family history and later genetic testing would reveal she also had no precursors.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Amy Rigard
“Breast cancer changed my life completely and forever.”
Read MoreMeet the Models: Cassandra (Cassy) Villalta
Cassy Villalta beams with positivity. One would never know the journey she has been on in the past decade. At just 35, with a 3 and 5 year old at home, Cassy was diagnosed with grade 3 ductal carcinoma. She would go on to have a lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and immunotherapy. It was grueling schedule, but Cassy remained upbeat throughout: “as long as it was fixable, I kept a smile on my face.” Her main priority was her children and ensuring their lives were uninterrupted by her diagnosis. She remains steadfast in her motivation to have her children’s memories of growing up not be tainted with images of her sick.
Read MoreMeet the Models: LaWanda Woumnm
Lawanda’s electric energy is impossible to miss. Sit with her for sixty seconds and you feel enveloped in her warmth. It’s a feeling she is hoping to spread: “Although I continue to fight the fight, while on this journey, I want to inspire, I want to encourage, I want to motivate. Breast Cancer is what happened to me. It is not my identity. I remind myself every day I am on this journey- I am who God says I am. I am approved, I am accepted, I am valuable, I am a masterpiece AND I am a child of the Most High God!”
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