Meet the Models, New England: Kendall Smiley

October 25, 2023

Kendall Smiley credits her bucket list for saving her life. At 36 she entered a body building competition to check another goal off the list. She would go on to do much more than that, competing in multiple events and coming in first for most of them. On a strict eating and workout regiment, she was acutely aware of every aspect of her body. It’s why, when she felt a pea sized painful lump in her breast, she consulted her doctor right away.

Meet the Models, New England: JoAnne Loretti

October 22, 2023

JoAnne Loretti was familiar with breast cancer after her mother’s battle in 1993. Even so, when her annual mammogram resulted in a call back, she “didn’t think much of it.” The follow up imaging revealed three masses and immediately JoAnne thought, “please don’t let it be in my lymph nodes.” Her prayers were answered when a mastectomy removed all of the cancer and no chemo or radiation was necessary.

Meet the Models, New England: Kimberly Daly

October 4, 2023

“I didn’t want to spend all of my time being sad and mad. I had to know there was going to be an end where I could be ok.”

Meet the Models, New England: Justine Egan-Kunicki

August 30, 2023

The experience of cancer, she notes, makes one confront their own mortality, but in the same token “you also learn how strong you are. Despite the struggle, I have learned I am a strong person who can persist and continue to enjoy life.” Indeed, though she get the phrase of ‘new normal,’ Justine prefers to say she’s reframed her life now: “You find a way to make a new life.”

Meet the Models, New England: Heather Pardo

August 14, 2023

Heather Pardo resides in the southern most tip of Texas. It’s a community she is grateful everyday to be raising her three boys in: “McAllen, TX is a real family oriented, traditional Hispanic community. Love, food and taking care of each other is part of the every day, and when something happens, like breast cancer, it’s even more so.”

Meet the Models, New England: Ruthanne Larsen Brown

August 10, 2023

Seven years prior to her breast cancer diagnosis, Ruthanne Larson Brown felt achy/sore around her breast area. She followed up with a doctor, who gave her the all clear and told her she would be a lot more sick if she had cancer. It was a statement that not only gave her relief, but stuck with her. It’s why, seven years later, she ignored the same aches and sore feeling, instead opting to address it at her mammogram. The testing would reveal stage 2 breast cancer with indications it had spread to the lymph nodes.

Meet the Models: Balca Korkut Gok

July 31, 2023

“listen to your body. If something feels off, it usually is. No one will advocate for you if you don’t advocate for yourself. Go to the doctor- do NOT miss your annual screenings.”