Runway Shows
Olivia Terrell’s Story
Olivia Terrell calls herself a breast cancer warrior, not just a survivor.
“You have to go in and fight,” she says. “I think half of the battle is your mindset sometimes. If you go in defeated, then you’re not going to make it.”
This year, Olivia walks for herself, in memory of her sister, who passed away after her own breast cancer diagnosis, and for every woman who needs to know her family history, schedule the appointment, ask the question, and keep fighting.
Read MoreAkhiel Willis and Kacey Morin’s Story
Akhiel and Kacey are walking in memory of Cheryl, Akhiel’s mother.
Cheryl’s breast cancer diagnosis came after months of pain that did not feel normal. She had trouble walking, climbing stairs, and moving through daily life, yet Akhiel remembers feeling like answers came too slowly and the plan never felt clear enough.
“It felt like they weren’t taking her seriously, or as seriously,” Kacey says.
Cheryl’s story is a celebration of a fiery woman with fierce style, deep love for family, and unwavering faith in her son. But it is also a reminder of the unequal treatment too many patients face, especially Black women whose symptoms are too often dismissed or not taken seriously enough.
This October, Akhiel and Kacey walk to honor Cheryl’s life and to raise awareness about listening sooner, asking harder questions, and making sure every patient receives the care and urgency they deserve.
Read MoreChristina Muratore’s Story
Christina Muratore’s Runway story has always been tied to her sister, Katie.
For years, Christina cheered from the audience as Katie danced across Runway stages. Then, after Christina’s own breast cancer diagnosis, Katie encouraged her to step into the light herself.
Now, Christina returns to the Runway stage in Katie’s memory — carrying her sister’s name, spirit, and legacy with her in every step.
Read MoreBecky Read’s Story
Diagnosed at 39, Becky Read found ways to take back control. Her husband shaved her head before chemo could take her hair. After treatment, she threw herself a party called “Becky Got a New Rack,” complete with a band, red devil Jell-O shots, and a show-stopping T-Shirt: “Yeah, they’re fake. The real ones tried to kill me.”
Now, Becky is returning to the Runway stage not only as a survivor, but in honor of her mother and aunt, both of whom passed away from cancer after her own treatment ended.
“I just feel like I need to do this again,” she says.
Read MoreCaileigh Scott’s Story
Caileigh’s breast cancer diagnosis changed the trajectory of her life—but not in the ways people might expect.
In the middle of facing cancer, something became clear: she wanted to keep choosing art, movement, friendship, and the life she loved.
“You get one life,” she says. “Do what you love to do.”
A dancer, actor, writer, and former runway model, Caileigh says cancer reconnected her to creativity and pushed her to say yes to people and experiences she might have once hesitated over.
Read MoreCrystal Davis Named Recipient of the 2026 Ilene Beal Legacy of Leadership Award
Runway for Recovery is proud to announce Crystal Davis as the recipient of the 2026 Ilene Beal Legacy of Leadership Award.
Read MoreKathryn Phillips Named Recipient of the 2026 Bill Achtmeyer High-Five Award
Runway for Recovery is proud to announce Kathryn Phillips as the recipient of the 2026 Bill Achtmeyer High-Five Award.
Read MoreRobyn Stoddard’s Story
Robyn Stoddard found Runway for Recovery on the same day she had her first oncology appointment.
It was Boston Marathon Monday, and after watching runners raise money for cancer organizations, something clicked.
“I was like, you know what? I’m going to run the Boston Marathon next year.”
That search led her to Runway, and soon after, she was selected to model in Boston. Newly diagnosed and still in the middle of treatment planning, Robyn is approaching this chapter with the same determination that has carried her through marathons, public health work, and a career built around science: one step, one question, and one goal at a time.
Read MoreCheryl Cuddy’s Story
Cheryl Cuddy is returning to the Runway stage with a milestone she never takes for granted: 20 years since her breast cancer diagnosis.
The last time Cheryl walked with Runway was in 2017, when she was celebrating 10 years as a breast cancer survivor. At the time, she wrote, “I am proud to be alive.” Now, another decade later, those words carry even more meaning.
“I want some of these young girls to know it’s okay,” she says. “You can push through.”
Read MoreAndrea Dean’s Story
As a hairstylist, Andrea has spent years helping other women through hair loss. She has shaved heads in bathrooms and private homes, witnessing just how emotional and traumatic that moment could be.
She never expected to go through hair loss herself.
“I still remember that I said, ‘But what about my hair?’”
“People will say, ‘It’s just hair,’ or ‘It’s just eyebrows,’” she says. “That is not it. It is not just hair. It is your identity.”
That understanding has shaped how she supports others now. She knows that preserving or rebuilding pieces of beauty can also help restore a sense of self.
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