Hope Begins Here

Runway for Recovery provides families with a continuum of support along their journey with breast cancer. We create community by hosting events and providing services that create joy and inspire hope. With shared understanding we celebrate survivors, honor legacies, and fund families who have experienced loss.

Beyond her academic achievements, Reese is deeply committed to giving back. She volunteers at Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, where she helps children undergoing cancer treatment enjoy a fun and memorable summer experience.

When she first heard her mother had breast cancer in 2022, Giselle felt overwhelmed as she became her mom’s primary support system for two years, accompanying her to every medical appointment as a translator and source of comfort.

Bridget witnessed firsthand the importance of a strong support system—both within her family and in the medical field. Her father’s recovery after thyroid cancer included physical therapy, and Bridget, too, has faced significant health challenges, undergoing four shoulder surgeries and extensive physical therapy. Inspired by the dedication of her father’s and her own physical therapists, Bridget has chosen to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Nathaniel’s father was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer, and passed away a year later when Nathaniel was 11 years old. Nathaniel quickly learned how life continued moving forward while he was falling considerably behind. Being out of school for three weeks, and having to move into temporary housing shortly thereafter, left this sixth grader struggling. However, 2 years later, Nathaniel was achieving straight A’s and high honors.

Adriana’s story is one of hope and resilience. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer before Adriana was born and experienced a recurrence a year later. Despite being told she may never get pregnant, Adriana’s mother never gave up hope—and that hope was realized with Adriana’s birth. Through her mother, Adriana learned the importance of gratitude and the power of simple acts of kindness.

Her mom told Kaitlyn, “she was the greatest blessing in his story.” And through it all, he demonstrated to everyone what it means to be resilient regardless of the circumstances, to persevere through all adversity and to have fun along the way.

Boston North Cancer Association awarded a grant to the Melanoma Education Foundation to provide facial scanners in 26 North Shore high schools. Facial scanners are an educational tool to help people understand the damaging effects of the sun. Through the use of ultra-violet rays, these scanners allow people to see layers of skin not visible to the naked eye. Used for middle school children through adults, this tool helps identify the areas of your face most impacted by the sun and show the benefits of sunscreen in blocking UV rays.

The grant helps fund LIVESTRONG, a wellness program designed to help adult cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being following a cancer diagnosis. Offered at the Y’s Saugus, Peabody and Lynn locations, LIVESTRONG is a 12-week program offered twice weekly.

Lucille lost her mother to Gastric Stomach cancer at age 4. She said, “it has been the hardest thing I had to learn to live with; a piece of my identity, my role model missing from my life.”