Karen's Story

   In March of 2020, my mom, Karen, was diagnosed with stage four lobular carcinoma at 49 years old. At the time, I was thirteen years old- I didn't know much about cancer, but I knew enough to feel a sense of indescribable dread, as my deepest fears became tangible reality. But as my eyes pooled with emotion, I looked into hers. Despite her devastating diagnosis, I saw only a blazing resilience, one that eclipsed even my own hopelessness and fear. 

   And so my mom donned her armor and became a warrior. Each and every day she fought cancer in the bravest way possible- by living despite it. She fought the fear of the unknown, the harrowing worry of the future, and she smiled through it all. She laughed, and loved, and lived life to the absolute fullest, and she made sure that my sister and I did too. 

  My mom started her own American Ninja Warrior gym, training, competing, and radiating joy despite her cancer. Running through obstacle courses, she used ninja to share her story and inspire others with her strength and enduring smile. 

   On April 23 of 2024, our mom Karen passed away after an astonishingly resilient 4-year battle with stage four metastatic breast cancer. 

    My mom may no longer be beside use, but her spirit and her joy lives on within us. Our world is so inextricably woven with beautiful memories of the times we spent together. The determination and optimism she showed in fighting for every month and every memory was a testament to her unconditional love for us. 

    She refused to let her disease take away the incredibly beautiful joy and light that she brought to this world, and because of that, she won her battle with cancer. ​​​

   My mom embodied hope, and she taught my sister and I to find it in the darkest of places. I hope that I can share that hope with other women fighting breast cancer, so that they can find the strength to fight, to advocate for themselves, and to live fully and beautifully despite their cancer.