This year, I am walking in the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk in honor of my best friend, Brooke. Brooke was diagnosed with stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in January while on maternity leave with her second son. In the months since, she has undergone chemotherapy and immunotherapy, a double mastectomy, and will soon begin proton therapy followed by additional chemo to help reduce her risk of recurrence. All the while, she and her husband, Sean, have been raising their two little boys, Jack and Bobby, and Brooke has remained unmistakably herself: funny, generous, optimistic, and constantly bringing joy to the people around her.

Brooke has faced every step of this with a courage that has inspired (though not surprised) all of us who know her. She has countless people standing beside her in this fight, but research is critical to giving Brooke and everyone else impacted by breast cancer better treatment options and a path to a cure.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer accounts for only 10–15% of breast cancer diagnoses and has fewer targeted treatment options than some other forms of breast cancer. Advances in research have already played an important role in Brooke’s care, including the immunotherapy she received this year and the clinical trial she is beginning this month.

To know Brooke is to love her. I feel incredibly lucky to call her my best friend. I’m walking with Team One Tough Brookie to remind her that she will never take a step of this journey alone and to help move us closer to a future where no one has to face breast cancer in the first place.

Please consider joining us, donating, or supporting Brooke and Team One Tough Brookie. Every contribution helps fund the research and resources that make a difference for people facing breast cancer today and in the future.