Meet Yakima
“If I show up and they see someone that looks like them and I give them hope, I give them strength.”
Yakima was diagnosed at the same age as her mom in April 2012, at 31
Yakima was at the height of her career in the fashion industry when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. The diagnosis sent a shockwave through her and brought back memories of her mother, Gardenia, who passed away from metastatic breast cancer when Yakima was 13. “Until I started treatment, I was still in shock,” she said. “You’re going through all the motions. You have a ton of doctor’s appointments and you’re processing, but you’re not listening. You’re hearing them, but you’re not listening. You’re processing.”
Yakima’s treatment plan included a double mastectomy followed by chemotherapy, radiation and breast reconstruction. In the years since, she has continued to manage lymphedema, a chronic condition that remains a difficult part of her daily life. Genetic testing also revealed a BRCA1 inherited gene mutation, and for the next 12 years, she debated whether to undergo additional risk-reducing surgery. In 2024, she made the difficult decision to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.
Today, Yakima shares her story to inspire young Black women who may face a breast cancer diagnosis. “I like to show others that there’s beauty in your journey,” she said. “You can thrive and you can make it work for you on your own terms.”
I had to accept the patience and be very patient with myself and give myself grace. And I think once I let go of trying to be in control is when it got better.
