Jennifer Lubrano Clayton: Volunteer and Board Member

Jennifer Lubrano Clayton was born and raised in Hingham, MA. After a few years living away, she returned to Hingham with her husband Mark and bought the home next door to her parents where she was a stay-at-home mom to her three children, Zach, Ellie, and Matt. Though she wishes she had had a career, she has had so much joy in raising three amazing children and now seeing her three grandchildren grow up.

Jennifer’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1979 while she was a sophomore at Colby Sawyer College. She spent many years in remission until a recurrence 11 years later. Jennifer’s mother passed away in 1998. Her mother’s mother and sister were both breast cancer survivors living to 98 and still living at 93. With such a strong family history, Jennifer and her sisters founded “Boobs and Baubles” the year after their mother passed. Deciding they needed to handle their mammograms in a more personal way, each year they go to Dana Farbe together—holding each other’s hands in support and then picking out a “Bauble” to commemorate that year. This also included dinner and a night in the city! Although some things have changed, they are still doing it 24 years later and it may be one of the most meaningful things the sisters have done together.

Introduced to Runway by fellow board member, Kim Furnald, after the first year, Jennifer has had a front-row seat, literally, as the organization has continued to grow and give to the most amazing families. Learning quickly that it is not about the clothes, but about celebrating a life well lived and honoring those no longer with us—jumping for joy for those finishing treatment and encouraging those still fighting.

Last year, Jennifer was the first Lubrano sister to be diagnosed with breast cancer. She was lucky to have caught it early, thanks to her yearly “Boobs and Baubles” trip, and is on the path to full recovery. She says she has learned a lot about herself and how incredibly strong and stoic she can be. Understanding a bit of what her mom must have been feeling, Jennifer says she will bring her, her daughter, and her sisters with her in all that she does for Runway as a board member.