Kia Lee

On October 10, 2023, at the age of 38, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. It was a moment filled with fear and uncertainty, and life as I knew it came to a complete halt. Every dream, plan, and hope was put on pause as I faced many tough decisions and prepared to fight for my life.
I began (AC-T) chemotherapy on October 27, 2023, and completed it on March 15, 2024. Initially, I was scheduled for a lumpectomy, but a post-chemotherapy MRI changed the course of my treatment. Instead, I underwent a unilateral mastectomy with reconstruction on April 23, 2024.

The next challenge was a four month-long battle with my insurance company to secure approval for Proton Radiation therapy. Thankfully, I was eventually approved and began Proton Radiation on October 24, 2024, completing it on December 10, 2024. One final surgery remains, planned for the summer of 2025.

First and foremost, I am deeply grateful to God, for without Him, I would not be here to share my story. I am also profoundly thankful to my incredible team at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). Thanks to their expertise and dedication, I am now cancer-free.

This journey has gifted me a changed perspective on life, and I am currently working on my second book to share those insights. As a passionate advocate for women and women’s health, I am honored to share my story alongside other warriors. Together, we can help raise funds to advance research and move closer to the ultimate goal: finding a cure. May our children never know what Breast Cancer is.