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.
Karen Walsh’s journey with breast cancer began in 2015 with what felt like a surreal, cinematic moment. At 40 years old, she stepped into a darkened bathroom for a moment of peace while her two young sons were glued to a movie. A sliver of light revealed a pucker on her breast, and what followed would change her life. A self-check confirmed a lump—Stage 3A invasive ductal carcinoma.
Barbara Bigelow has spent over two decades navigating breast cancer. Her journey is one of grit, advocacy, heartbreak, hope—and survival against the odds. She’s not just a patient; she’s a force.
This fall, Joshua Smith returns to the Runway for Recovery stage not with his wife, Katie, but for her. Katie passed away in December 2024 after living courageously with metastatic breast cancer for three years. While she is no longer physically with us, her spirit radiates through her family, her former students, and the greater community she inspired—especially the Runway family, where she once danced with joy, defiance, and hope.
“Lending courage until others find their own.”
Christine Handy is no stranger to the runway. A professional model since childhood, she’s graced the catwalks of major fashion houses, represented global brands, and stood confidently under the glare of countless lights. But this fall, when Christine takes the stage at the Boston Runway show, it won’t just be as a model. It will be as a beacon—of survival, of transformation, and of grace.
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