Community Stories
Barbara Bigelow’s Story
Barbara Bigelow was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2015.
This March, she reached 10 years with no evidence of disease.
Barbara shares her story to give hope to others living with metastatic breast cancer. “And that’s what I want to do, is give people hope that it’s not over before it’s over.”
Read MoreArlene Garcia’s Story
As Arlene continues living with metastatic breast cancer, there have been many changes: progression in her brain tumors, liver, and bones, difficult side effects, double vision, and the uncertainty of hoping a new treatment will work.
Still, Arlene is holding tightly to hope — especially through her children.
“I am hoping to see them thrive and grow,” Arlene says.
Read MoreKirstie & Caitlin’s Story
Some people have been part of Runway for Recovery since the very beginning. Few embody that history quite like Caitlin MacMillen.
Nearly twenty years later, Caitlin returns to the runway for her tenth Runway event, joined this year by her sister, Kirstie, celebrating not only Runway’s 20th Anniversary but the woman whose love continues to shape every part of this organization.
Read MoreErin Gonzalez’s Story
Erin Gonzalez is walking to honor the extraordinary woman who shaped her life: her mother, Denise Callahan.
“My mom never let cancer define her,” Erin says. “She was resilient, optimistic, and determined to make sure I would be okay.”
Read MoreDebby Alter’s Story
Debby Alter was 16 days away from being one year cancer free from kidney cancer when a routine mammogram found breast cancer.
She was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and treated with a lumpectomy, followed by a month of radiation. While her treatment plan was physically straightforward compared to what it could have been, emotionally, breast cancer changed everything.
“I can’t even count the ways it’s changed my life,” Debby says. “It’s changed the way I see things. It’s changed the way I feel like I’m seen.”
Read MoreMy Doan’s Story
My Doan joined the Runway community in 2010.
Since then, she has watched it grow into something far bigger than she could have imagined.
For My, Runway has always felt like more than an event. It is a family, a reunion, and a place where she can celebrate her own survivorship while honoring her sister Lynne, who is living with metastatic breast cancer.
“I’m just so proud to be a part of the organization,” she says.
Read MoreAlison Flanagan’s Story
“I really never have been public about my breast cancer.”
After years of carrying her story quietly, Alison realized Runway might be what she needed to finally process, connect, and feel less alone.
“Maybe this is what I need,” she says. “Not a new job, not more surgeries, not all these other things. Maybe I need to find a community and connect that way.”
Read MoreVeronica Davis’s Story
Diagnosed during COVID, with one child in preschool and another in elementary school, Veronica moved through treatment with the help of doctors, friends, mothers’ groups, social workers, and a community that showed up with meals, rides, advice, and care.
“In many ways, it’s a triumph of everyone,” she says. “The fact that I’m here and I can celebrate it.”
Read MoreAthena Shearrion-Perkins’s Story
Athena is part of Runway for Recovery’s Family Grants Program, which provides direct support to families navigating the impact of breast cancer.
After losing her mother in March 2020, Athena received a Family Grant that covered tutoring, giving her the academic support and stability she needed during an unimaginable time.
Today, the transformation is remarkable.
“To see her now is unbelievable,” her father says. “Having someone believe in you and seeing that confidence build in her is unbelievable.”
Read MoreLaura Gradel’s Story
Laura has been through breast cancer treatment, pregnancy loss, questions about fertility, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and eventually, two pregnancies after treatment.
For years, Laura was not always sure how much of that story she wanted to share.
Now, five years later, she is ready to tell the fuller version.
“I want to be able to just talk about it,” she says. “And not be protecting people from feeling sad or feeling overwhelmed.”
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