3rd World Major Marathon, here I come!
I am ecstatic to be running for Dana Farber for the second time with my sister, Kristina Coccoluto, in BERLIN, GERMANY! Last year, my sisters and I ran the Boston Marathon for Team DFMC and together we raised critical funds for cancer research.
This year, we are directly raising funds for BRCA research. Why?
On May 25th, 2021, I received genetic counseling at Dana-Farber and was tested for the BRCA1 mutation, the gene that has been mutated in my family for generations. If tested positive, my risk of getting breast cancer in my lifetime is 87% and my risk of getting ovarian cancer is 60%. This narrative has been true for the women in my family including my mom (breast cancer survivor x2), my Auntie Nancy (breast cancer survivor), my Auntie Katie (passed away in 2005 from breast and ovarian cancer), and my two sisters....they are all BRCA1 positive. I was the last in my family to undergo genetic counseling/ testing and I found out one week post my Dana-Farber appointment that I tested negative.
While testing negative was the best case scenario and came with great relief for my family and health, I will never understand why my story is different from theirs. Yes, we are born with our genetic makeup. My genetic testing blood panel was truly a 50/50 chance of receiving either my mom's gene or my dad's gene. However, I can't help but to question why I was dealt this hand. Ever since my sisters found out their risk, they have both taken action and made the decision to undergo risk-reducing surgeries as a way to take their health in their own hands. I am in awe of the strength of my mom, my aunts, and my sisters, and extremely proud to have such amazing role models in my life. Our guardian angel, Auntie Katie, would be here today if she was given the same opportunity to know her risk and take action so that breast/ovarian cancer was not part of her story.
Because of your generosity, you helped me personally raise over $10,000 towards cancer research! This time every single dollar goes directly to the research that provides hope for high risk families like mine.
It's not lost on our family how incredible you have been to support us. Not only do we dream about crossing the finish line, but we truly dream of a brighter future for the next generation. So we are asking for RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH.
One hundred percent of every dollar raised by TEAM GENErational War supports BRCA research by Dr. Judy Garber at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These funds are fueling some of today's most promising cancer research for hereditary cancer.
Thank you so much for your support!
