Survivors

Lisa Carlin was diagnosed with breast cancer at 38, when her daughters were just three and five years old.

Now, 13 years later, Lisa has turned that experience into purpose.

The hot pink ballet flats she wore during treatment became a symbol of strength and connection with her daughters. Years later, that symbol inspired Poppies with Purpose, her shoe brand created to bring comfort, empowerment, and joy to others walking through breast cancer.

For Anne, Runway takes a topic that can feel ugly, heavy, and often hidden, and shows another side of it. The event reminds her family that cancer is part of their story, but it does not define who they are.

Kristin Ferrari was diagnosed with Stage II invasive ductal carcinoma in September 2012, at the age of 40. One month later, she underwent a double mastectomy at Massachusetts General Hospital.

This year, Kristin returns not only as a survivor, but as a co-chair for the 20th Anniversary Boston show and a Board Member!

For the past few years, Marci has watched her daughters, Kenzie and Addie, take the stage without her. She loved being able to sit in the audience and experience the show from that side. But when Olivia asked her to come back for the 20th, Marci decided not to wait for the 10-year milestone she once had in mind.

Marci is excited to return to the stage and show newer models what life can look like years after diagnosis.

Liz Silverman first shared these words with her children when she was diagnosed with breast cancer: “We can’t choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we will react to it.”

Liz and her family continue to try to live by that idea.