Meet the Models, New England: Elizabeth Dragone

Elizabeth Dragone was a labor and delivery nurse for years before taking time off to help nurse her mother-in-law through cancer. It’s why it came as a complete shock, with no family history, when she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer on Halloween of 2017. She would go on to have a double mastectomy and a slew of other surgeries when complications arose. With a high schooler, middle schooler and elementary schooler at home, her new normal looked very different. 

She wouldn’t be alone though. She would rank one of many women in the town of Waltham, many of whom live on or around her street, who would go on to be diagnosed. Together they make the Badass Waltham Warriors, which aims to be support for women diagnosed. It has meant that she has witnessed the loss of many of these warriors over time, which has led to the feeling that “nobody really feels safe after ringing the bell,” given the amount of recurrences the group has faced. 

It’s clear Elizabeth’s nursing background has led to her to a life of caretaking. She spends quite a bit of our time together discussing ways to support other women who are facing less positive outcomes than herself: “the money stress on top of children stress and cancer? It layers on each other and makes it all worse.” It’s why she is so committed to hitting the runway to fundraise for families who need it most: “we are all really positive and we do a lot of fun things to support those diagnosed. I like to find the fun stuff and keep the joy- it gives us all something to look forward to.”