Meet Madeline

I have known I was BRCA1+ since I was about 18, and I started biannual breast screening at age 25 and annual ovarian screening at age 30. In October of 2022 at age 31, my regular mammogram came back abnormal, subsequently resulting in a biopsy that diagnosed me with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. At that time, it was not known whether or not chemo would be recommended until I underwent my double mastectomy in February of 2023. I am so grateful that my oncology team recommended egg freezing and that I went through with it because it is now April, and I just finished my first of 4 chemo cycles. Being young and single at the time of my diagnosis, fertility was not something I could even begin to fathom, and now having 6 healthy eggs safe & sound is such a comfort for the future. I am so glad that organizations like Team Maggie exist because cancer is so much more than just a medical diagnosis - it changes every aspect of your life, but it does not have to dictate your future! Cancer survivors should only have to focus on just that, surviving. Thank you for helping provide fertility preservation services to this amazing, strong population of women! I hope my story inspires & encourages someone along the way, and I would love to help guide someone through their journey as well. I am happy to report that I am doing well so far after chemo :)