Twin breast cancer survivors model for 'Celebration of Life'
The American Cancer Society held its annual celebration of life fundraiser Friday in Monterey, California. It's the 30th anniversary of the inspiring event.
Models, all of them cancer survivors, strutted their stuff on the runway. Ten stores in the area stepped up to provide the outfits.
Two of the models were twin sisters, Araceli and Angelica Villegas, and their message is simple. There is light at the end of the cancer tunnel.
As twins, they share just about everything. Even, unfortunately, breast cancer. Araceli was diagnosed first when she noticed a lump while breastfeeding her second child.
"I went by myself to get my results. I had planned to go with my sister but she unfortunately got called to work. I went in by myself because I didn't want to bother anyone else," Araceli said. "It's hard because when they tell you that you have cancer. My first thought was I am going to be gone."
Her medical team at the Nancy Ausonio Breast Health Center and her family were not about to let that happen. Treatment started quickly, including genetic testing, which confirmed Araceli carries the BRCA1 gene, putting her at high risk for breast cancer.
With that came a strong recommendation that her sister be tested as well.
"They found a bump on both of my breasts, so they tested both by doing a biopsy and they came back positive for triple-negative breast cancer on both sides," Angelica said.
Just 27 years old, the twins found themselves in the fight of their lives. They leaned on each other, their large extended family and their faith.
"Having faith helped us a lot. There were times, and don't get me wrong. We had days when we thought are we going to make it? But having faith and leaning on that faith really got us by," Angelica said.
Today, the twins are survivors, and with cancer on the rise among young people, they have become something of ambassadors for the American Cancer Society.
Present at the Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society fundraiser in October of last year, and at the Celebration of Life Fashion Show. It's a role they joyfully embrace.
"We need people to know if you are going through this and you are young and you are scared to advocate for yourself or scared to get help. There are a lot of resources like the American Cancer Society that is willing to help you and raise awareness for you and others to prevent cancer, detect it on time, and help you out through the whole process," Araceli said.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, the American Cancer Society can help you get through it, and if you want to donate, you can always do so online at cancer.org.
