Meet the Models, NYC: Jennifer Monkiewicz
Jennifer Monkiewicz was traveling for work when she noticed some arm pain. Rubbing her chest to help ease the pain, she felt a lump. She immediately called the doctor and trying not to panic and hoping it was related to menopause, but a mammogram revealed stage 2, invasive ductal carcinoma. Her brain immediately thought, “is this really happening? How is this happening to me?”
Initially set on a double mastectomy, her treatment team at Dana Farber suggested chemotherapy first. She began the treatment in 2023 and showed up to every single treatment in costume: “It was funny for everyone and selfishly, it was a good distraction for me.” Jennifer chose cold capping throughout treatment and continued working. For her, keeping her routine was paramount: “I thought I needed normalcy. Laying idle would make me get caught up in my head.”




Jennifer notes that the kindness of those around her was touching. From drop offs of food and sweet treats to small check ins, the support was astounding. She was however, surprised at those close to her who did not reach out. Upon reflection she says, “there is still such a stigma around cancer and I think a lot of people don’t know what to say.”

The connections she made with the cancer community ended up being life saving. Jennifer talked to other women who had been through it and especially relied on Facebook groups to figure out little tricks, details or thoughts on treatment, medications and so on. It also allowed her to mentor those newly diagnosed. Even today, no matter the cancer, she tries to be available to talk women through diagnosis and treatment. Her best advice? “Go in with a good mindset- an I got this mindset. Easier said than done and you will have dark days, but stay positive and keep a good network around you.”