Meet the Models, New England: Karen Walsh

some days I think this is so much for my children. Should I tone it down so they can tolerate it better? I have decided to live very much out loud, so they can participate in the amazing connections and community and love they get to be a part of.” 

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Love Local, Newburyport: Amy Burke

On the day of my diagnosis, I remember having to call all of my family members separately. When I called each of them, I remember telling them two words that I held onto when the doctor first broke the news to me, “It’s treatable and curable!”

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Meet 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.

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Meet 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.”

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Meet 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.

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