Model Profiles
Meet the Models, New England: Julie Hagan
A year ago Julie Hagan went in for her annual check up. A few days later, doctors called asking her to come back in for a follow up mammogram. Though anxious, she was comforted when they said 90% of people called back in end up being fine. When her second mammogram led to an immediate ultrasound however, she knew something wasn’t right.
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Amy Kemeza
Just shy of turning 40, Amy Kemeza was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had felt a lump that continued to grow and a mammogram confirmed two large tumors in her lymph nodes. She went on to receive 20 weeks of chemotherapy and one round of immunotherapy. The treatment proved grueling and the side effects deeply challenging.
Read MoreMeet the Models, Christina Clements
“just because I am doing lots of things, doesn’t mean I am not dealing with things internally. One day I am going to die from this disease- I will never be cured, so I need to be making the most out of everyday. if I remain positive, that has a lot to say about my survival. I am going to keep on keeping on.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Catherine Hodges
“know every inch of your breast so you can increase your chance of finding something and, of course, get your mammograms.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Bethy Atkins
In August of 2020, Bethy Atkins began experiencing breast pain that did not subside after multiple menstrual cycles. She messaged her PCP immediately and unbeknownst to her, her doctor was a breast cancer survivor. She immediately brought Bethy in for an exam, where a clear lump was found: “it all happened really quickly.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Abby Pastyrnak
“You can be the kind of the person who pulls the covers over their head and feel sorry for themselves, or be the kind of person who goes out and lives their life. You get to choose.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Heather Pardo
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.”
Read MoreMeet the Models, New England: Ruthanne Larsen Brown
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.
Read MoreMeet the Models: Balca Korkut Gok
“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.”
Read MoreMeet the Models: Ami Mehr
Her greatest advice to those newly diagnosed: “even when it hurts, you finish the race. You can be in the worst of situations and obviously everyone’s story is different, but you really need to focus on a goal. That’s what is going to get you through.”
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