Personal Stories
Women Who Inspire Change Every March, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognize the resilience, dedication and impact of women around the world. At Susan G. Komen, we are inspired by women every day — women who drive progress in the breast cancer space as survivors, caregivers, doctors, researchers and advocates. These women, through […]
When Debricca was diagnosed with breast cancer, she faced several challenges related to her treatment, including complications after surgery and developing lymphedema. Once treatment was finished, she was able to turn her focus to healing after breast cancer.
When Kayla felt a lump in her breast, she never imagined she’d be diagnosed with breast cancer. “I was 26 years old,” she said. “I never considered at my age it could be breast cancer.”
When Alexis felt a pea-sized lump in her breast, she was immediately nervous. She had a mammogram and a breast ultrasound. A biopsy the day after Christmas confirmed she had breast cancer.
Allison King was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in March 2024. This is her story in her own words. At 30 years old, with two small children at home, I was faced with the unimaginable — being diagnosed with breast cancer. Life as I knew it came to a halt. But through a mix […]
Finding Strength and Seeking Answers When Nisha received her breast cancer diagnosis, her world shifted instantly. As a mother of three, including a daughter born with a congenital heart disease, she had always advocated for her children’s health. Now, she found herself in the position of advocating for her own. As a Susan G. Komen […]
Siana learned she had breast cancer when she was 34 years old. “My youngest child had just turned 1,” she said. “My world stopped. It was like everyone around me was moving on with their life and I was just stuck.”
In 2020, Tina was diagnosed with two types of breast cancer. She immediately began researching her diagnoses. “I believe people should be active in their treatment and educate themselves, so they’ll know what to expect,” she said.
It was just two weeks after Jenn’s well women exam, which had come back fine, that she felt a lump in her breast. “Once I felt the lump initially, it was like intuitively I knew it was going to be breast cancer,” she said.
Brandi’s family is all too familiar with the despair a cancer diagnosis can bring. Her father was 54 when he passed away from colon cancer, and her mother passed away from lung cancer several years ago. In between Brandi’s parents’ diagnoses, she learned she had a rare type of breast cancer – and that her cancer was not due to an inherited gene mutation.
An avid runner who has completed multiple half marathons and marathons, Monica has approached treatment like she approaches a race. “There were times when I wanted to give up, but that’s not who I am,” she said. “I said okay, I can do this. I’m going to finish. I’m going to pass this finish line.”
For Nashville-based wife, mother and marketing entrepreneur Jennie Smythe, life has always been about forging connections and building something meaningful. As the Founder and CEO of a well-known marketing agency, Jennie has dedicated over fifteen years to helping entertainers and brands amplify their voices and thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Her client roster is […]
