Lifer angels

The scariest part of being a breast cancer survivor is the constant fear of having a recurrence or finding out that somehow your cancer has metastasized. About 1/3 of all women initially diagnosed with stages 0-III breast cancer will later find out they have metastatic--also called stage IV--breast cancer. These women often refer to themselves as "lifers," referring to the fact that they will be in treatment for breast cancer for the remainder of their lives.

In 2015 and 2016, my good friend Suzi and I have participated in an amazing, empowering fundraiser called Art Bra. Art Bra benefits Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC), a local group that provides all sorts of amazing support and guidance for central Texas women who are battling or have battled breast cancer.  It has been an enormous honor to have the chance to model these beautiful custom garments created by local artists as an expression of their experiences, hopes, fears that surround breast cancer.  Lots of money is raised for BCRC and survivors/fighters/lifers join together for a chance to feel strong and beautiful. It is truly an amazing night.

One of the hardest parts of being involved in Art Bra is witnessing fellow models navigate deteriorating health.  I have been brought to my knees, praying and trying to process the difficult treatments these women endure.  I have cried as I heard of their passing.  I want to share three beautiful faces of women we lost to metastatic breast cancer over the past year.  I was not close friends with any of these women but had the honor to meet them, talk with them and model with them during the Art Bra process.  These are some of the strongest reminders of why we need research, not ribbons.

Holley Kitchen became famous overnight when her YouTube post on metastatic breast cancer went viral with over 50 million views.  She passed away at the age of 42; her husband and two young sons survive her.

Amber Gillespie was in her mid-20s when she was initially diagnosed. By her late 20s, her cancer had spread and she passed away at the age of 30.

Yesterday, Courtney Lasater passed away at the age of 36.  Her husband and 18-month -old son survive her.

These women were all kind, smart and beautiful.  They all died far too young.  Every single one of these women was diagnosed at a lower stage; they all had the cancer come back as stage IV.  Please do not assume that early detection saves lives; each of these three underwent chemo and surgery when they were initially diagnosed.

Currently, only 7% of research funding is focused on metastatic breast cancer.  Don't you agree it needs to be more?  Metastatic breast cancer is the breast cancer that kills.  Stage IV needs more and these women are the absolutely heartbreaking proof.