Blog Posts
Jonny Braithwaite’s Story
Jonny is stepping onto the Runway stage in honor of his mom.
After already showing up for Runway in a huge way as one of the organization’s first Boston Marathon runners, Jonny will now experience another side of the community: the 20th Anniversary Runway Show.
Read MoreDorothy Burnhams’s Story
Dorothy Burnham was nursing her infant while her two-year-old played at her feet when she noticed a lumpy area in her left breast.
Surrounded by all things baby, Dorothy assumed it was related to breastfeeding. It was not.
Today, Dorothy continues to be part of Runway as a member of the Board of Directors, helping carry forward the kind of support that families need when breast cancer interrupts ordinary life.
Read MoreDan Moran’s Story
Dan Moran is returning to the Runway stage in honor of his mom.
For Dan, walking in her memory means everything.
“Runway allows me to show the world what an incredible woman, mother, and warrior she was throughout her battle with breast cancer,” Dan says.
Read MoreAmi Mehr’s Story
Rowing has guided Ami through breast cancer, her mother’s later breast cancer diagnosis, and a benign brain tumor in 2019. Through it all, Ami has held onto one lesson: focus on a goal and keep moving toward it.
Read MoreLinda Phelan’s Story
Linda’s daughters describe her as their “amazing mother who defeated cancer and never lost her positive attitude throughout the entire process.”
Linda Phelan returns to Runway with deep gratitude for the family and community that carried her through breast cancer.
Read MoreKennedy Elsey’s Story
Kennedy Elsey has made a career out of making people laugh.
As one half of Boston’s beloved Karson & Kennedy morning show on Mix 104.1, laughter has always been part of who Kennedy is. But after her breast cancer diagnosis on July 3, 2024, laughter became much harder to find.
Today, Kennedy is cancer-free. Kennedy is still funny. She is still loud. And she refuses to let breast cancer define her.
Read MoreKristen Keough-Barcelo’s Story
Kristen Barcelo was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32, when her daughter was not yet 18 months old.
Now, two years from diagnosis and one year with no evidence of disease, Kristen is beginning to feel like she can get her head above water.
This October, she will walk the Runway with her daughter in mind.
“I want my daughter to see that I’m strong,” Kristen says. “I’m okay. We’re getting through this.”
Read MoreKate Martin’s Story
Kate Martin was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer nearly 10 years ago, when her son, Ronan, had just turned two.
Now, as she approaches her 10-year cancerversary, Kate is stepping onto the Runway stage to celebrate and help pull others through.
“When you meet the people that do understand it,” Kate says, “that’s where the healing is.”
Read MoreEsther Kasin’s Story
Esther Kasin’s breast cancer story is one of persistence and self advocacy.
After years of monitoring a lump that had always tested benign, Esther knew something was different when it grew larger and became painful.
Again and again, Esther had to speak up for herself.
Read MoreMichelle Maloney’s Story
Since September 2024, Michelle has averaged about three months per treatment plan.
“I choose to wake up and be positive,” Michelle says.
This October, Michelle returns to Runway’s 20th Anniversary Show as a reminder that even when things are hard, hope is still a choice every single day.
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