Meet the Models: Erin Erler

When Erin got the call, she knew it was coming. Cancer had touched her family before. Still, nothing quite prepares you for the moment someone says the words out loud.

“I was in shock when I heard, ‘It’s cancer.’ I had to pause, process, and then tell my sister and my kids. I’m not the first in my family to be diagnosed, but I can only hope I’m the last.”

Erin’s children—now in their early 20s—have grown up with her strength. She’s been a single mom for most of their lives, but cancer brought a new kind of vulnerability. She didn’t want them to worry. Still, they sat down together, hugged, cried, and faced it as a team.

“We reassured each other. We got ready to face this head on, as a family.”

She approached treatment aggressively, opting for a double mastectomy and lymph node removal. Her kids were with her through every step—helping with medications, meals, bandages, and drains.

“I couldn’t have done it without them. They were strong for me when I needed it most.”

Her sister also stepped up—organizing fundraisers and providing financial support while Erin took a hit to her self-employment during recovery. Their support became her fuel.

“My family is the reason I’m here. I will fight every day to be here for them. They’re my driving force.”

But beyond surviving, Erin wanted to heal deeply—physically, emotionally, and mentally. She dove into research, prepped herself for every step of treatment, and used physical therapy to build back her strength. That process sparked something powerful.

“I found a new passion I didn’t know I had. I’ve gone back to college to get a degree in Exercise Science so I can help other women regain their strength, mobility, and sense of self after treatment.”

Because she knows what cancer takes—and what it demands in return.

“We lose so much through this process. We need a way to heal. And we need others who truly understand what that healing looks like.”

Her advice is grounded and generous:

“You are stronger than you realize. And you’re not alone. There’s a sisterhood standing by, ready to support you in any way we can.”

And to those supporting someone through a diagnosis, she offers a reminder:

“Just listen. Don’t try to fix it. Don’t rush in with ‘you’ll be fine.’ That fear sticks with us. Be gentle. Let us process. Sometimes, just having someone to vent to is everything.”

What surprised Erin most was the outpouring of care when she finally spoke up.

“I felt alone at first. But once I shared what was going on, everyone wanted to help. It was an eye-opener. The best part was realizing how loved I was. That gave me the strength to take this on.”

At Runway for Recovery, we celebrate Erin’s powerful mix of realism and optimism. Her story reminds us that being strong doesn’t mean being fearless—it means showing up with truth, asking for help, and turning struggle into service.