Blog Posts
Andrea Dean’s Story
As a hairstylist, Andrea has spent years helping other women through hair loss. She has shaved heads in bathrooms and private homes, witnessing just how emotional and traumatic that moment could be.
She never expected to go through hair loss herself.
“I still remember that I said, ‘But what about my hair?’”
“People will say, ‘It’s just hair,’ or ‘It’s just eyebrows,’” she says. “That is not it. It is not just hair. It is your identity.”
That understanding has shaped how she supports others now. She knows that preserving or rebuilding pieces of beauty can also help restore a sense of self.
Read MoreMelissa Huber’s Story
Melissa Huber’s breast cancer story begins with her son.
At just four and a half years old, James helped her face one of the most emotional moments of treatment: losing her hair. As Melissa sat in the salon chair, tears rolling down her face, her little boy looked at her and said words she still carries with her today.
“Mommy, you do not need hair to be beautiful.”
Diagnosed at 34, Melissa has faced breast cancer, treatment, recurrence, bone metastases, and liver lesions with honesty, grit, and deep love for the little boy who remains her reason why.
Read MoreRobyn Stoddard’s Story
Robyn Stoddard found Runway for Recovery on the same day she had her first oncology appointment.
It was Boston Marathon Monday, and after watching runners raise money for cancer organizations, something clicked.
“I was like, you know what? I’m going to run the Boston Marathon next year.”
That search led her to Runway, and soon after, she was selected to model in Boston. Newly diagnosed and still in the middle of treatment planning, Robyn is approaching this chapter with the same determination that has carried her through marathons, public health work, and a career built around science: one step, one question, and one goal at a time.
Read MoreAlyssa Wakeley’s Story
Breast cancer changed the way Alyssa saw her body, her confidence, and her sense of femininity.
Diagnosed at 27 with stage III breast cancer, Alyssa went through chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, and reconstruction while raising two young children during the height of the pandemic.
She is honest about how hard it can be to look in the mirror after breast cancer, even after reconstruction.
“They may be perky, but you sometimes don’t feel like a woman,” she says. “It’s very hard mentally.”
Now, as she prepares to step onto the Runway stage, Alyssa wants other women to know that beauty is not something cancer gets to take away.
“No matter what changes have happened to your body, you are still a woman,” she says. “You’re still beautiful.”
Read MoreLori Coleman’s Story
Lori believes there is room for humor, even in cancer.
When preparing to support a 13-year-old family friend with aggressive Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as she shaved her head, Lori considered bringing a cake that said, “Buzz off cancer.”
“Why can’t it be a party?” she says.
But underneath the humor is Lori’s deepest reason for pushing forward: her family.
“I promised my kids I would do anything I needed to do to be here for them,” she says.
Read MoreRebecca Muirhead’s Story
Rebecca Muirhead grew up knowing breast cancer was part of her family story.
Her grandmother was diagnosed around 48. Her mother was diagnosed at 40 and faced breast cancer twice. Because of that history, Rebecca began seeing breast doctors when she was just 18 and started mammograms at 30.
That early screening changed everything. After a mammogram found atypical ductal hyperplasia, an MRI revealed stage I invasive breast cancer.
“It really changed me,” Rebecca says. “I’m telling all my friends, just go and get it checked.”
Read MoreWhy Our Models Choose to Dance the Runway
Experience the power of Runway for Recovery through the voices of our Models—individuals who are breast cancer previvors, survivors, currently in treatment, and those living with metastatic breast cancer, alongside the legacies of loved ones we honor and remember.
Read MoreArlene’s Story
Arlene, a resilient single mother living in New York City, is navigating life with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Through it all, she remains deeply grateful for the support of Runway for Recovery, which has helped ease the financial burden of everyday expenses and made it possible for her children to continue participating in the activities they love.
Inspired by her own experience, Arlene has become a source of strength for others. She now supports and uplifts newly diagnosed patients, offering empathy, guidance, and a powerful reminder that they are not alone.
Read MoreSiobhan’s Story
Siobhan Donovan, a mother and wife living with metastatic breast cancer, shares her journey and the profound impact of organizations like Runway. A grant has enabled her to focus on her identity beyond cancer, cherishing precious moments and milestones with her children. She emphasizes living fully, being present for every ‘first,’ and enjoying her children’s development.
Read MoreThe Runway Show, NYC 2026, Featuring Katie Couric
This video captures the spirit and impact of Runway for Recovery’s NYC Runway Show — a powerful celebration of strength, resilience, and community, narrated by Katie Couric. It highlights the importance of ensuring women feel seen, valued, and uplifted, especially in the face of breast cancer. Through the energy of the runway and the stories behind each model, the event brings together a diverse group of women and supporters, all united in purpose.
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