Thank you so much for visiting my page, and welcome!

Did you know that about 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime? With a statistic like that, I doubt there is anyone that has not been affected by this disease. This is who I know...

Anne Theisen, survivor, and the mother of one of my best friends.

Kelly Hermans, her daughter, who is BRCA+ and underwent prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction at the age of 26- right before her wedding and the beginning of graduate school.

Kathy Turbin, family friend and survivor- diagnosed in 2010 and just finishing chemotherapy.

Julie Webb, friend and survivor- diagnosed in 2010, beat breast cancer before the age of 30.

That list alone seems overwhelming, but early 2011 was when it really hit close to home as two close family members were both diagnosed. My grandmother, Marie Stratton, pictured to the right- the sassy lady with whom I am enjoying a frozen cocktail at a beachside bar in North Carolina, and my Aunt Michelle Slotka- pictured with her beautiful family.

All of a sudden we were all thrust into the world that too many of us have been forced to join; one of surgeries, treatments, side effects and scary statistics. However we soon learned that it is also a world of incredible strength, hope and determination.

My Mom and I are doing what we can to keep fighting this fight. This August we will be walking 60 miles in three days so that strength and hope will prevail, making breast cancer a thing of the past. We walk for our relatives, friends, classmates and co-workers. For the survivors, BRCA+ previvors, and in honor of those who we have lost.

Please support me as I take an amazing journey in the fight to end breast cancer! I encourage you to leave the names of your loved ones who have fought, or are still fighting. I will wear them with pride on my shirt during the walk.

Love love love,

Jess