Survivors
Debbie First’s Story
Debbie First was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1977 and had 13 months of a groundbreaking treatment. With three children under 12 and the support of her husband, Debbie managed a full time position as Executive Director of Action for Children’s Television. Nearly five decades later, she is cancer free and walks the Runway stage for the third time with a unique perspective on how far cancer awareness, research, treatment and support have come—giving us hope for a future with more cures and more people living with the disease.
Read MoreJennie Vargas’s Story
As a single mother diagnosed with breast cancer, Jennie’s first fear was not for herself. It was for her kids. But through treatment, Jennie found strength, faith, and a renewed commitment to her own happiness.
“I always get back up, no matter what,” she says.
Read MoreKerrianne Eldora’s Story
Kerrianne Eldora’s breast cancer diagnosis came during an already devastating season for her family.
Six weeks before Kerrianne was diagnosed, her sister received the same news. Their mother had also been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 and had gone through it twice.
Through it all, Kerrianne held tightly to hope.
“You have to know that things are going to work out,” she says. “You have to be as positive as you can, even when you feel like that rain cloud is overhead.”
Read MoreKristen Isola’s Story
After eight rounds of chemotherapy, two surgeries, and 30 rounds of radiation, Kristen is nearly one year out from finishing treatment. Now, she is stepping onto the Runway stage to show her sons something beyond the hard parts.
“This is a moment in our story,” Kristen says. “It isn’t who your mom is.”
Read MoreCassy Villalta’s Story
Cassy Villalta has spent years living with uncertainty.
After doctors found a spot on her ribs in 2022, Cassy did not know whether the cancer had spread to her bones. Because the spot could not be biopsied, she moved through each treatment and appointment without the clear answer she wanted.
Still, Cassy kept going.
“I never looked at it as a diagnosis and a death sentence,” she says. “It was kind of just like, oh, this is what I have, and we’re going to do X, Y, and Z to get through it.”
Now, after three clear CT scans, Cassy is preparing to finish monthly treatment and move to six-month check-ins.
Read MoreMariah Powell’s Story
Mariah Powell is bringing her story, her purpose, and her joy to Boston.
Since becoming part of the Runway community, Mariah has continued to grow into the kind of advocate she once hoped to see: a visible, honest, inspiring face for other Black women navigating breast cancer.
Now, as she prepares to come to Boston and step into a new role as a model mentor, Mariah is also building something of her own in Virginia Beach: a 5K fundraiser on the oceanfront to benefit Runway for Recovery.
Read MoreJenn Monkiewicz’s Story
Jenn Monkiewicz is returning to Runway’s 20th Anniversary Show because, for her, Runway has become much more than an event.
“It’s a community that truly understands this journey,” she says.
She knows survivorship is not just about getting through something. It is about finding your way forward and creating a meaningful life.
“I’m especially grateful to step onto the Runway again,” Jenn says, “not because of what happened to me, but because of where I am today and the life I continue to choose to live.”
Read MoreAnn Reis’s Story
Today, 17 years after being diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, Anne Reis is in total remission and no longer taking medication.
Anne returns for Runway’s 20th Anniversary Show with deep gratitude, joy, and purpose: walking for herself, her children, her grandchildren, and especially her late twin sister, Molly.
For Anne, this year is a celebration of life, survivorship, family, and the sister whose spirit is always with her.
Read MoreKathryn & Savannah’s Story
Kathryn Phillips and her daughter, Savannah “Savy,” have grown up with Runway across nearly every chapter of its history.
Kathryn first walked the Runway in 2007 in honor of her mother, Susan, who passed away from metastatic breast cancer.
Three years later, Kathryn returned to the stage while navigating breast cancer herself, this time with young Savy beside her.
They have been dancing on the Runway stage ever since!
“Once you’re in, you’re in for life,” Savy says.
Read MoreAmy Burke’s Story
Amy Burke has always wanted to prove to herself that she could run a marathon.
This year, she did exactly that as part of Runway for Recovery’s first Boston Marathon team.
At the time, Amy was still in maintenance treatment, receiving a monthly shot and seeing her oncologist every month. But when Runway received marathon bibs, Amy knew it was her sign.
“If I’m going to run it for someone, I’m going to run it for Runway,” Amy says.
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