Meet the Models, SoCal: Raei Hsiao

Raei Hsiao watched one of her closest friends, Rachael Hsin, battle breast cancer and notes how unique a place it is to see someone so close to you deal with something so life changing. Though Rachael had a lump for a while, by the time it was checked out, the cancer had reached stage 4 status. Despite this, Rachael, and those in her life, remained ultra positive: “we didn’t realize what was really happening. We were told she was going to be ok and I think everyone was keeping us positive. We remained positive until the very last moment and for that reason, accepting that Rachael was gone was really difficult.”

Inspired by Rachael’s willingness to help others, Raei has attended The Runway Show in SoCal since it’s inception: “To honor Rachael and actually keep her memory alive is so important and we have this time once a year to specifically do that, which is why I didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation to walk in her honor this year.”

Raei notes how difficult it must be for parents to see their children through diagnosis and passing, which she witnessed whilst sitting with Rachael’s parents throughout her final days. Noting that “some people just need company,” Raei finds the positive in her experience through Rachael’s passing in that now she feels more equipped to support others facing diagnosis or loss and of course, she is able to draw on the lessons she learned from Rachael to help support others: “Rachael was always giving, always helping. It didn’t matter who you were, she had such a kind heart and was always there to listen.”