I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2011 at the age of 26, just two months after getting engaged. I planned my wedding, got married and honeymooned in Europe in the midst of six surgeries: a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Today I am happy, healthy and married to a wonderful, loving husband. I am blessed to lead an exciting and rewarding life full of family, friends, travel and new endeavors.

Our daughter Adele

I have made it part of my mission to challenge myself in mind and body, and to share my story to raise awareness about breast cancer in young women.

Kickoff reception for PA Breast Cancer Coalition's "67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing breast cancer in PA" traveling photo exhibit at Mount Nittany Medical Center in October 2014.

The breast cancer, which unfortunately was my second cancer (I had childhood Leukemia at the age of 12), lead to my diagnosis of Li Fraumeni Syndrome, a mutation in the p53 gene, which increases one’s chances of getting cancer. You can read more about LFS here:

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/li-fraumeni-syndrome

Because of this rare genetic mutation, I face a lifetime of health screenings and tests, as well as difficult decisions about starting a family. This diagnosis has helped me realize while I can’t control every aspect of my health, I can control how I live my life. That’s why it’s important to me to remain active, eat a healthy diet, take chances (like a double century bike ride and modeling in fashion shows) and fill my life with things I love and things that make me happy while trying to reduce or eliminate things that don’t.

Little Black Dress Goes Pink 2014 - PA Pink Zone's annual fashion show

Since starting Pink and Pearls shortly after my diagnosis, I have shared my story in many different ways to many different types of audiences.

PA Breast Cancer Coalition annual conference October 2014 in Harrisburg, PA

Volunteer experience, advocacy & storytelling:

Pennsylvania Pink Zone

September 2012 – present

-I helped promote, through social networks and other avenues, Pink Zone's The Little Black Dress Goes Pink fashion show fundraiser in October 2012; and as a breast cancer survivor, modeled during the show.
-Spoke, as a breast cancer survivor, at the Penn State men and women's "Paint it Pink" gymnastics meet about my experiences with breast cancer. The event, held on Feb. 2, 2013 in State College, was attended by roughly 2,000 people.
-Spoke as a survivor at Pink Eve (a Pink Zone donor reception) on Feb. 23, 2013 at The Penn Stater in State College, PA.
-Spoke, as a survivor, at conclusion of the 7th annual Pink Zone Lady Lions Basketball game on Feb. 24, 2013 at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA. The 2013 event drew more than 14,000 people.
-On the planning committee, and a fashion show model, for the second annual Little Black Dress Goes Pink event in October 2013.

Pink Zone 2016

-Was introduced as a breast cancer survivor and handed out awards at the Penn State men and women’s gymnastics “Flip for a Cure” meet to benefit the PA Pink Zone.
- On the planning committee, and a fashion show model, for the third annual Little Black Dress Goes Pink event in October 2014.
-Spoke, as a breast cancer survivor, during halftime at the 2016 Pink Zone Lady Lions basketball game. (Pink Zone's 10th birthday and my 5th game as a survivor)
-On the planning committee (and a runway model) for the 2016 Little Black Dress Goes Pink fashion show and 2017 Pink Zone run

Speaking during halftime at the 2016 PA Pink Zone game. Photo by Lloyd Wolf

Pink Zone run 2016!

PA Breast Cancer Coalition

October 2012 - present

-I spoke to students, as a breast cancer survivor, at the Bald Eagle Area High School's "pink" powderpuff football game in October 2012 game to raise money for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition.
- Presented a workshop, "Breast Cancer in Young Women: Coping with Unique Issues," at PBCC's annual conference Oct. 13, 2014 in Harrisburg, PA.
- On the planning committee, and honored as a survivor, at the opening reception of "67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in PA" traveling photo exhibit, which came to Centre County in October 2014.
- Representing Centre County in 2015-2016 "67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in PA" traveling photo exhibit.

The Moth

June 2012

I was one of three breast cancer survivors to tell her story in front of an audience of about 200 people in June 2012 as part of The Moth and Philips Ultrasound's "Getting it off our chests: Stories from breast cancer survivors," at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.

Getting it off our chests: Stories from breast cancer survivors, June 2012 in Washington, D.C.

"Breast cancer survival stories are as different as the women who live them. Join Philips Healthcare and The Moth to hear three unexpected, funny, poignant and ultimately inspiring tales of discovery, treatment and triumph. This live storytelling event will feature tellers Sally Barnes, Christine Delucchi and Marjorie Stromberg Miller. It will be hosted by Ophira Eisenberg, a stand-up comic, storyteller, author and host of NPR's Ask Me Another. She performs stand-up regularly at comedy clubs in New York City, and headlines across the US, Canada and Europe."

Smeal College Women in Business at Penn State

April 2013

I was a keynote speaker for the Smeal College Women in Business student organization at Penn State's Powerful Women Paving the Way Conference, held April 18 and 19, 2013 on Penn State's University Park campus. I shared my story and experiences as a breast cancer survivor during the event's PINK Lunch benefitting the American Cancer Society.

Young Survival Coalition

September 2013 - present

-As a breast cancer survivor I spoke during the Young Survival Coalition's 2013 Tour de Pink East Coast, a three-day, 200-mile bike ride I participated in.
-Volunteer for Tour de Pink East Coast 2016

Town&Gown Magazine’s Experience: Pink Zone

February 2014

Helped promote Experience Town&Gown: Pink Zone, and shared my story as a breast cancer survivor on WRSC's "Morning Guys" radio show on Feb. 5, 2014; and spoke as a breast cancer survivor at Experience Town&Gown: Pink Zone on Feb. 11, 2014.

Tour de Pink eve 2014! Team Pink and Pearls' inaugural ride!

Student Pink Zone Organization at Penn State

February 2015 - present

Shared my story with students at the organization's monthly meeting; helped promote the first Pink Zone 1-miler run in April 2015. I currently serve as a student adviser, where I help the student group plan and promote programs and fundraising events.