Marcella’s Story — SoCal

Meet the Models, SoCal: Marcella Powell

When Marcella Powell was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer in March of 2022, it felt like the ground disappeared beneath her feet. An itchy breast and an unusual white discharge prompted her to seek medical advice. Initially dismissed as “normal,” her instincts urged her to get a second opinion — one that ultimately saved her life.

That second opinion revealed a small tumor and set Marcella on a whirlwind journey of chemotherapy (including the daunting “red devil”), radiation, and immunotherapy. Throughout it all, she remained fiercely committed to caring for her 8-year-old daughter, even when the emotional toll felt unbearable.

“Having to tell an 8-year-old you have cancer is one of the most life-shifting things,” she recalls. “Holding her while she cried was so painful.”

Carried by Love, Learning to Receive

Marcella, fiercely independent by nature, found herself grappling not only with physical side effects, but also with the vulnerability that came with needing help. “I still wanted to be super everything,” she says. “I didn’t allow myself to truly heal without worry or care.”

In hindsight, she now sees the power in letting others show up. Her support circle was immense: her Aunt Veronica, her grandmother, her sister — all ensured she never went to an appointment alone. Her best friend even relocated from North Carolina for an entire year just to support her. It was the unwavering presence of those around her that grounded her during the chaos.

“I was so blessed to have them. They were there,” she says. “And I felt so honored to have them by my side.”

After her final chemo treatment, Marcella and her family marked the milestone with a Christmas trip to Disney World — a joyful exhale after a year of uncertainty.

Still Healing, Still Rising

Today, Marcella continues to navigate the lingering impact of cancer — physically, mentally, and emotionally. The trauma doesn’t vanish with the final treatment. “Chemo… they told me it would feel like I got hit by a car,” she says. “That might have been an understatement.”

Her energy is still limited. Cyclical scans remain deeply triggering. But through it all, Marcella is reclaiming her power. She is working with a nutritionist, attending therapy, staying active, and setting her sights on the future. “Treatment may have stopped, but we are still healing and processing that our minds and bodies aren’t the same,” she explains.

She’s also focused on empowering her daughter and others in her family to pursue genetic testing and be proactive in their own health journeys.

Presence Over Perfection

Looking back, Marcella’s advice to others is as compassionate as it is simple: “They need you. You may not know what to say or how to respond, but your presence is enough. Just being there — it matters.”

She also urges others going through diagnosis to protect their agency. “Everyone will give their opinion on what you should do,” she says. “Listen, take notes — but make the best decision for you.”

Leaving Her Print

This year holds deep meaning for Marcella. “I’m just learning how to begin loving me again after cancer,” she shares. For someone whose confidence and self-image were so deeply impacted by treatment, it’s no small thing.

She describes the experience as a rollercoaster she hasn’t quite gotten off — but now, she’s riding it with awareness, resilience, and purpose. “Cancer limited my ability to show up the way my heart wanted to,” she says. “But now, I try to leave my print on everything.”

And this February, her print will be front and center as she steps onto the runway — a living testament to strength, survival, and self-love.