Model Profiles
Meet the Models: Kathy McCullen
This year holds particular meaning for Kathy McCullen. If her mother were alive, she would be celebrating her 90th birthday this August—a milestone Kathy deeply believes her mother would have reached if not for breast cancer. After all, her grandmother lived to 95. “Had she been diagnosed later or had access to today’s treatment,” Kathy says, “I believe she’d still be here.”
Read MoreMeet the Models: Melissa Dupuis
When Melissa Dupuis heard the words “you have cancer,” her world closed in. It was January 5th, 2022 at 4:00 p.m., and the diagnosis came through her online patient portal. As she sat on the couch and read the results, her one-year-old daughter was calling from the other room. Paralyzed by fear, Melissa turned to her husband and asked the only question she could manage: “Am I going to die?”
Read MoreMeet the Models: Jennifer Abbott
“We all have our own story—whether it is Stage 0 or Stage 4. It is still scary.” Jennifer Abbott’s journey with breast cancer reminds us that there is no such thing as “the good cancer.” Each diagnosis carries its own weight, fear, and physical and emotional toll.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Renee Plodzik 2025
Model Spotlight: Renee Plodzik Runway Show: New England | Diagnosed: Stage 0 at 34, Metastatic at 42 Renee Plodzik is a woman who redefines strength—not because she’s never broken, but…
Read MoreMeet the Models: Karen Walsh 2025
Karen Walsh’s journey with breast cancer began in 2015 with what felt like a surreal, cinematic moment. At 40 years old, she stepped into a darkened bathroom for a moment of peace while her two young sons were glued to a movie. A sliver of light revealed a pucker on her breast, and what followed would change her life. A self-check confirmed a lump—Stage 3A invasive ductal carcinoma.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Barbara Bigelow 2025
Barbara Bigelow has spent over two decades navigating breast cancer. Her journey is one of grit, advocacy, heartbreak, hope—and survival against the odds. She’s not just a patient; she’s a force.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Joshua Smith
This fall, Joshua Smith returns to the Runway for Recovery stage not with his wife, Katie, but for her. Katie passed away in December 2024 after living courageously with metastatic breast cancer for three years. While she is no longer physically with us, her spirit radiates through her family, her former students, and the greater community she inspired—especially the Runway family, where she once danced with joy, defiance, and hope.
Read MoreSpotlight Model Boston: Christine Handy
“Lending courage until others find their own.”
Christine Handy is no stranger to the runway. A professional model since childhood, she’s graced the catwalks of major fashion houses, represented global brands, and stood confidently under the glare of countless lights. But this fall, when Christine takes the stage at the Boston Runway show, it won’t just be as a model. It will be as a beacon—of survival, of transformation, and of grace.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Christina Clements
For those who’ve been a part of Runway for Recovery over the years, Christina is a familiar face—and a powerful presence. A seasoned model and a resilient advocate, she returns to the stage this year not only to represent her own story, but to stand alongside others navigating the ever-evolving path of survivorship.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Andrew Earle
This fall, Andrew Earle walks the Runway in honor of his late wife, Hannah, whose journey through breast cancer was one of profound courage, intentionality, and love. Her story is woven deeply into the Runway for Recovery community—one she believed in wholeheartedly. Today, Andrew continues that connection, honoring her legacy, and walking to inspire others navigating the unbearable weight of loss.
Read More