Community Stories
Jenna Auber’s Story
Jenna Auber is almost 14 years out from her breast cancer diagnosis.
At 36, while breastfeeding her youngest son, Jenna pushed forward with early screening. Months later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer on her birthday, with her almost two-year-old sitting on her lap.
“I feel like I’m a poster child for genetic testing and early screening,” Jenna says.
Now, years later, Jenna carries both gratitude and grief.
Read MoreEmily Cohen’s Story
Emily Cohen has been part of the Runway family for more than a decade, first walking in 2012 and 2013 before returning as an alum model beginning in 2016.
But Emily’s impact on Runway goes far beyond the stage.
As a family grant reader and family liaison volunteer, Emily has supported families facing breast cancer in deeply personal ways.
For Emily, Runway is family, remembrance, science, service, and love in action.
Read MoreCallie Conroy’s Story
After learning she had dense breasts and a lifetime risk of about 27%, Callie asked her doctor to order breast MRIs. Her first MRI found breast cancer.
“Getting a breast MRI truly could have saved my life,” Callie says.
Read MoreAvamarie Warden’s Story
Avamarie never expected breast cancer to bring her into rooms she had not imagined for herself.
“I wanted no parts of any community,” she says.
But once she found one, she understood what people had been trying to tell her.
“It really is a difference when you’re around people who get it,” Avamarie says.
Read MoreBetsy Hetzler’s Story
This year, Betsy is celebrating more than 25 years of survivorship after breast cancer.
She is also honoring her mother, Sally Hetzler, who passed away from breast cancer just eight days before Frannie was born.
When Betsy was diagnosed, her children were 5 and 10 years old. Today, they are 31 and 36, and Betsy is a proud grandmother to a beautiful one-year-old grandson.
Read MoreFrannie McBrian’s Story
Frannie has been connected to breast cancer since before she was born.
“I wish that my 10-year-old self had some of the resources and the incredible opportunities that Runway gifts families and children with,” she says.
Read MoreJoshua Smith’s Story
Joshua Smith and his children are returning to the Runway stage in honor of Katie.
When Katie was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, the life they had planned together shifted in ways they never could have imagined.
Joshua remembers Runway helping with things like gas and groceries during a time when his family was in survival mode. More than that, he remembers how much joy Runway gave Katie.
For Joshua, Runway gives his family something rare: a place to put their love for Katie out into the world.
Read MoreKristina Coccoluto’s Story
At 25, Kristina learned she carried the BRCA mutation. For her, that meant an 87% lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 60% risk of ovarian cancer.
Kristina chose to take her health into her own hands. She had a preventative double mastectomy, later a complete hysterectomy, and used running to reconnect with her body through every change.
Read MoreMeghan Sullivan’s Story
Meghan Sullivan was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before her 36th birthday.
Now, 11 and a half years cancer-free, Meghan continues to return to Runway because she can.
“I do it because I can, because there are so many women that can’t.”
Read MoreSusan Pimental’s Story
Susan Pimental is returning to the Runway stage for the big 20th Anniversary Show alongside her dear friend Cheryl Cuddy, the person who first encouraged her to walk in 2018.
This year feels especially meaningful because Cheryl is also celebrating 20 years cancer-free.
For Susan, walking the Runway is a celebration as she stands beside the many “beautiful heroes” who make up this community.
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