Meet the Models, New England: Peggy Tryon

When Gail Erdos was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, Peggy Tryon jumped into action finding ways to support her friend. From meals to sitting doing crafts, Peggy and Gail built a deep connection, especially when one year later, Peggy herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a role reversal for the two friends. 

Together the two, passionate about giving back to the cancer community, started a non-profit called Our Space, which reaches out to children and teens facing cancer and other serious illnesses and brings healing through art activities and more. To date, the organization is affiliated with 10 hospitals and Peggy says, “Gail and I are so involved in the day-to-day of the nonprofit, but when we step back it’s really like wow, we have created something really great.” For Peggy, the purpose is driven by the children, allowing them to continue doing things aligned with childhood, despite illness: “we know we are bringing joy.” A bonus is the growing relationship she built with Gail, especially after the passing of her husband in 2011. 

Shockingly, after 16 years, Peggy had a recurrence just last year. It meant a mastectomy and reconstruction: “after sixteen years, that was quite a shock. Now I have major anxiety around scan times because I know it can come back.” Despite a far more serious surgery this time around, Peggy felt more prepared saying, “working with all of these children all these years, I could focus on their resilience and I saw what they went through, it truly amazed me.” Additionally, Gail knew how important it was to ask for help. It’s her main advice to those newly diagnosed: “I have always had a positive hope. I try to keep that with me. Having friends and family as a support community was key- I couldn’t have done it without their help. You have to feel comfortable asking for help. That was easier for me the second time around.”