Breast friends Tee shirt fundraiser. Educate. Empower. Prevent.

At 16 years old, I found a lump in my breast. What should have been a typical teenage experience quickly became a series of doctor's appointments, ultrasounds, biopsies, and ultimately surgery to remove multiple fibroadenomas—noncancerous breast tumors. While the diagnosis itself was not cancer, the fear, uncertainty, and emotional weight of navigating breast health concerns at such a young age left a lasting impact on me. It was my first lesson in the importance of knowing my body and speaking up for my health.

Five years later, at 21, I was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, an inherited genetic condition that significantly increases a person's risk of developing several types of cancer throughout their lifetime. Receiving that diagnosis reinforced what I had already begun to learn: health advocacy isn't optional—it's essential. Understanding your family history, recognizing changes in your body, asking questions, and advocating for appropriate screenings can make a life-changing difference.

Through both of these experiences, I realized there was a gap in health education. So many conversations about breast health and cancer prevention begin only after a diagnosis occurs. I created BREAST friends to change that narrative. Our mission is to educate, empower, and encourage individuals—especially young people—to learn about their bodies, understand their risks, and become advocates for their own health before they ever face a diagnosis. Because knowledge isn't just power; it has the potential to save lives.