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BRCA Stories From the Basser Young Leadership Council

A BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation can bring a lot of questions. Our Young Leadership Council (YLC) members share what their experiences have looked like, from genetic testing and preventive care to fertility, family and navigating life with hereditary cancer risk.

Read their stories and hear directly from the young adults helping shape the future of the BRCA community.

Real BRCA Stories and Experiences Written by Our YLC Members

YLC member Hilary walking across a crosswalk and smiling

Staying Positive After Testing Positive

Hilary shares how her journey as a BRCA2 mutation carrier has profoundly shaped her life and her decision to undergo preventative surgery.

Beaded bracelet on Marisa's wrist that reads "You Got This"

My Story of Strength: Embracing Life Through Tough Decisions

Marisa shares her story and how she gained strength that has helped her to embrace her own power, make choices with confidence, and surround herself with people who lift her up.

Jennifer's Journey with a Preventative Care Plan and a Passion to Live Life Fully

Life is about balance. Jennifer knew the next step after learning she carries a BRCA1 mutation was to create a preventative care plan that works best for her, but she also knew she wanted to continue to live her life and feel empowered.

Hope Through Resilience, BRCA Education and Advocating for Yourself

Savannah and Andy Campbell share how a shocking cancer diagnosis lead to learning about their hereditary gene mutation, taking action and enrolling in a pancreatic cancer clinical trial.

Young Leadership Council Q&A: Meet Your Co-Chairs Jenny Sorin and Erika Stallings

Meet Your Basser Young Leadership Co-Chairs: Jenny Sorin and Erika Stallings!

Alona Shaked's Story: Finding Beauty in Her Own Tragedy

The day Alona was diagnosed with breast cancer was the same day she learned about BRCA1/2 mutations. "While what happened to me was in many ways horrible, there is beauty in what my tragedy has given someone else: Life-saving knowledge."

Amy Gallagher's Story: Proactive and Preventative

Understanding her family’s cancer history lead Amy to genetic testing, counseling, and even a new life calling. Once she learned she carried a BRCA1 gene mutation diagnosis, Amy decided it was time to take action.

Shifting the Story from Cancer to Prevention: Kate DiLullo’s BRCA Family Story

With help from the Basser Center, Kate changed her family's story and got ahead of a potential cancer diagnosis.

A BRCA Journey: Eli Lopez Shares Her Story for Hispanic Heritage Month

Patient advocate and BRCA1 mutation carrier Eli Lopez shares her story about her journey with hereditary cancer, including genetic testing, preventative surgery, and more.

Black Genes Matter: Why I’m Partnering with the Basser Center to Launch Black & BRCA

Patient advocate Erika Stallings writes about her own experiences living with a BRCA mutation and why she has partnered with the Basser Center.

B is for Bravery: A BRCA War Story

Basser YLC member Callum Beale writes about his sister's ongoing battle with BRCA-related cancer and how he is inspired by her bravery.

Managing My Ovarian Cancer Risk

Basser Young Leadership Council member Katrina Wells, a BRCA mutation carrier, shares her personal story with how she is managing her ovarian cancer risk.

Preventative Care and the Power of Support

Basser Young Leadership Council member Shannon Pulaski, an attorney, wife, and mother, writes about preventative care and the power of support.

What I Learned From My BRCA Mutation and Freezing My Eggs at 29

Basser Young Leadership Council co-chair Suzanne Zuppello, a freelance writer in New York City, shares her personal story about her BRCA mutation and her decision to freeze her eggs.

The Things You Should Bring to the Hospital (That Seem Obvious in Hindsight, But Not in the Moment)

Basser Young Leadership Council member Jourdan Cohen, a digital marketer and BRCA mutation carrier, shares some advice about things you should bring to the hospital to prepare for preventative surgery.

It’s Complicated: Dating While Navigating a BRCA Mutation, Part 1

This is part one of a summary of a Basser Center panel on the ins and outs of dating with a BRCA mutation.

It’s Complicated: Dating While Navigating a BRCA Mutation, Part 2

This is part two of a summary of a Basser Center panel on the ins and outs of dating with a BRCA mutation.

It’s Complicated: Dating While Navigating a BRCA Mutation, Part 3

This is part three of a summary of a Basser Center panel on the ins and outs of dating with a BRCA mutation.

Interested in getting involved with the YLC?

Fill out the form below or contact Molly Canavan at 267-990-2520 to learn more.

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