Personal Stories
Breast cancer was not something Marisa thought she needed to worry about, especially at 31. “I was a mom with two young boys. I had no family history of breast cancer and never felt a lump,” she said. In May 2025, she learned she had stage 2 breast cancer.
After undergoing two breast cancer surgeries and a difficult breast reconstruction, Deanna Alpaugh still struggled to call herself a breast cancer survivor. Because her treatment did not include chemotherapy or radiation therapy, she wrestled with breast cancer survivor guilt. It would take time for Deanna to recognize that her experience did not need to look like anyone else’s for her to belong in the breast cancer survivor community.
When Amanda learned she had breast cancer, she wasn’t prepared for how fast everything moved. “I was diagnosed at the end of October, by the second week of November I had my egg retrieval surgery and then a week after that, I began chemotherapy,” she said. “In three weeks, I did all of that.”
Six years ago, Beth Porreca learned she had stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). “I had no idea what IBC was,” Beth said. “I had a rash and some swelling. I honestly thought I was having an allergic reaction. I was wrong. I had more than a rash.” Watch Beth’s story in her own words.
For over a year, Jeanelle tried to convince her doctor that something was wrong. “I had leaking from one of my breasts and it felt heavy,” she said. “But my doctor kept telling me I was too young for breast cancer.” The day Jeanelle felt a lump, she knew it was time to advocate for herself and push for a mammogram.
Krystina never imagined she would be diagnosed with breast cancer at 35. Discovering a small lump ultimately led to a diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the detection of an BRCA1 inherited gene mutation. As she navigated treatment, fertility decisions and the challenges of being a young woman with breast cancer, she found a community of survivors who helped her realize she wasn’t alone.
Breast cancer support has come in many forms for Amanda Crespo, from the care of her oncologist, Dr. Samina Ahmed, to the peer mentor who helped her navigate treatment. Now a peer mentor herself, Amanda will join Dr. Ahmed at the Komen Orange County Pink Tie Party, where Dr. Ahmed will be recognized for her commitment to the breast cancer community as a Pink Tie Partner.
After receiving the news she had breast cancer, Wendy DeWeerd faced her diagnosis head-on. In the midst of treatment, she’s stepping up to do more by sharing her breast cancer story and fundraising to help end breast cancer through her local Race for the Cure.
After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis at 35, Sheila learned she had a BRCA2 inherited gene mutation and faced difficult decisions about surgery and reconstruction. Throughout her experience, she learned the importance of advocating for herself and choosing what was right for her.
Suzanne Engle never thought a small symptom would lead to her first breast cancer diagnosis 20 years ago. Then, after 17 years of clear mammograms, she found herself facing breast cancer again. Today, the two-time breast cancer survivor shares how advances in treatment changed her experience and reinforced her belief in the power of research.
After undergoing treatment for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in 2023, Deneil Baldwin believed the hardest days were behind her. Two years later, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. As she faced another round of treatment and difficult surgical decisions, her son found his own meaningful way to support her and help others affected by breast cancer.
How your support helped make Gail’s Law a realityBy: Nikki Panico When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 39, I never imagined where that journey would lead me. Today, as a two-time breast cancer survivor and Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Wisconsin, I have the privilege of meeting incredible people every day: survivors, […]
