We Tell Your Story
Part of Runway's mission is to honor the legacies and stories of those who have been impacted by breast cancer. Our blog page is dedicated to helping us share those stories.
Learn more about the importance and impact of our blog by watching the following video.
Arlene, a resilient single mother living in New York City, is navigating life with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Through it all, she remains deeply grateful for the support of Runway for Recovery, which has helped ease the financial burden of everyday expenses and made it possible for her children to continue participating in the activities they love.
Inspired by her own experience, Arlene has become a source of strength for others. She now supports and uplifts newly diagnosed patients, offering empathy, guidance, and a powerful reminder that they are not alone.
Siobhan Donovan, a mother and wife living with metastatic breast cancer, shares her journey and the profound impact of organizations like Runway. A grant has enabled her to focus on her identity beyond cancer, cherishing precious moments and milestones with her children. She emphasizes living fully, being present for every ‘first,’ and enjoying her children’s development.
This video captures the spirit and impact of Runway for Recovery’s NYC Runway Show — a powerful celebration of strength, resilience, and community, narrated by Katie Couric. It highlights the importance of ensuring women feel seen, valued, and uplifted, especially in the face of breast cancer. Through the energy of the runway and the stories behind each model, the event brings together a diverse group of women and supporters, all united in purpose.
Valerie David’s story is one of extraordinary resilience, purpose, and unwavering hope.
Valerie is a 27-year cancer survivor who has faced multiple diagnoses across her lifetime—from Stage III Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to Stage II breast cancer, and now living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer with bone metastases. “Breast cancer has shaped who I am today by inspiring me to help others through the performing arts,” she shares. For the past eight years, she has been living with metastatic disease, continuing to defy expectations and rewrite what survivorship can look like.
JLynn McCarthy’s story is one of resilience, self-reliance, and radical self-love.
“When I was told they couldn’t save my breast or nipple, I remember feeling calm… and then everything else felt distant.”
Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2023, JLynn faced her journey largely on her own—navigating treatment, a divorce, and a move all at once. Without a strong support system, she became her own: taking herself on dates, choosing self-love daily, and ultimately embracing life flat with confidence and pride.
Join our Mailing List!
Subscribe to keep up to date on all things Runway.