Meet the Models, NYC: Maria Gregg
Maria Gregg knew breast cancer ran in her family. Both her mother and aunt were survivors of the disease, but Maria herself was lucky to only ever had clear mammograms, or benign tumors. However in 2021, she felt a lump that felt different than previous times. Despite that, “I didn’t go to the doctor. I knew I had to, but life just got in the way.”

As time passed, life too began to take a front seat, particularly when her twin brother passed away. The grief and logistics of his passing further procrastinated seeing a doctor. At some point, Maria thought of her son and vowed to get to the doctors so she wouldn’t have to face a life where she wouldn’t see him graduate college. It would be a good decision because Maria was diagnosed with stage 2, nearly 3, breast cancer. She would go on to have a double mastectomy, chemo, radiation and reconstruction. It was grueling, but it meant she would be a live to see her family.

Maria chose to downplay her diagnosis and treatment to family saying, “a lot of people bury you before you’re dead. I didn’t want people to treat me different.” Slowly her family found out and was supportive and she is delighted at the chance to turn her journey more celebratory by taking to the runway to honor her strength.