National Cancer Survivors Day 2020

Today is National Cancer Survivors Day. This is the 6th time I celebrate this day.

Six years ago today, I was dancing full time and felt wonderful. I looked forward to performing in China with the Joffrey Concert Group. I did not know that cancer was growing inside me and that it had already spread to my sternum, pelvis, and spine. I would learn this in late June 2014. With this news, my life would turn completely around. I stopped worrying about what parts I would dance next year and started worrying about whether I would even be able to dance next year. Thanks to my great medical team, I’m so happy I can still dance.

Cancer makes one aware of just how precious life, family, and friends are; that small annoyances are just not worth fussing over. I am grateful for the support I have received from people near and far; for the many new friends I have made; for people who have come back into my life.

Today I celebrate life along with my fellow cancer survivors and hope that a cure is found for terminal stage 4 breast cancer before it is too late for me and the thousands of women who die every year from this dreadful disease. I want to celebrate many, many more National Cancer Survivor Days. If you can, please donate to  The Breast Cancer Research Foundation where 90% of your donation goes to research for breast cancer.

Linda McCarthy of @visual_concepts has taken many beautiful photos of me. She has an artist’s eye for composition and lighting. This is one of my favorites.

Dress @renttherunway @marchesafashion 
#metastaticbreastcancer #baldballerina#terminalbreastcancer #thisismbc #breastcancer#nationalcancersurvivorsday #marchesafashion#rentherunway #cancer #bcrf