Survivors
Jenn 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.
Read MoreAngela LaFave’s Story
Angela LaFave first understood breast cancer through her father.
In 2015, her dad was diagnosed with breast cancer, a disease most people still rarely associate with men. He had a mastectomy and made it through that chapter. Years later, in 2020, Angela stood beside him as leukemia took his last breath.
That same year, during the isolation of COVID, Angela was diagnosed with breast cancer herself.
This October, Angela steps onto the Runway stage carrying both stories: her father’s and her own.
Read MoreSara Weiss’s Story
Sara Weiss’ children have grown up on the Runway stage.
When Sara first became involved, they were young, watching their mother turn her breast cancer diagnosis into purpose. Over the years, Runway became part of their lives too — a place where they could feel connected, understood, and empowered to help others.
For Sara, that may be one of Runway’s greatest gifts: giving children a place to belong, to understand what their families have been through, and to learn that they can make a difference too.
“Runway has meant the world for them,” Sara says.
Read MoreMena Granatino’s Story
Mena Granatino calls her Runway fundraising page Twin Blessings.
The name holds more than one meaning. When Mena found her breast cancer, she was with her twin grandchildren, who were newborns at the time. In the middle of fear and uncertainty, they were a beautiful reminder of love, family, and everything she wanted to keep moving forward for.
“It makes you feel not as alone,” Mena says.
Read MoreShelley Murray’s Story
Shelley Murray was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago. At first, she kept her diagnosis private.
But over time, she realized that sharing her story could become a way to help others feel less alone.
“What motivates me in life is giving back to people and adding value to their lives,” she says.
“After the first three years, I decided this is crazy. I need to go public with this,” Shelley says. “I know so many people, and I need to give back.”
Read MoreSona Dalal’s Story
Sona Dalal was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, just six months after her brother passed away from chemotherapy-related complications.
At first, she kept her diagnosis private. She needed to move through treatment in a way that protected her peace and honored her boundaries.
“I wasn’t Sona with a diagnosis,” she says. “I was Sona, and I had a little extra to handle.”
For Sona, breast cancer changed many things, but it never changed who she was. Now, she uses her experience to help others feel less afraid, reminding them that a diagnosis may become part of your story, but it does not get to define your identity.
Read MoreAsha Miller’s Story
For Asha, learning to show her body as it is has become part of her survivorship.
After completing breast cancer treatment, Asha was diagnosed with vitiligo, bringing yet another layer of physical change to a body that had already been through so much.
At this year’s New York Runway Show, she made the intentional decision not to cover it.
In doing so, Asha is teaching us what it means to show up exactly as we are.
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