The Ripple Effect: How Research and Community Shaped Katie’s Journey
Katie Lewis is a breast cancer survivor and entrepreneur. Her father and stepmother have been longtime supporters of the V Foundation for Cancer Research Wine Celebration. Through participation in the event, especially the Dinner with the Docs and the Krzyzewski Family Cancer Research Symposium, they have been able to hear directly from V Foundation-funded scientists about cancer research breakthroughs made possible by donor support. It was at one of these sessions that Katie’s father, Brian, learned about the BRCA gene mutation, a hereditary mutation that can increase the risk of cancers like breast cancer. That knowledge would later lead to early detection that would help save Katie’s life.
With an extensive family history of cancer, Brian encouraged both of his children, Katie and her brother Matt, to pursue genetic testing. In 2018, Katie and Matt underwent testing, and after meeting with a genetic specialist in 2019, Katie learned she tested positive for the BRCA gene mutation.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
A healthy woman in her mid-20s, Katie chose to take proactive steps after her positive test, planning precautionary care such as annual MRIs. However, when the world shut down in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her yearly MRI was postponed.
Like many people during the pandemic, Katie searched for ways to stay focused and active. Together, she and Matt decided to run the New York City Marathon while fundraising for a cancer charity. As Katie’s training intensified, she began noticing changes in her body, including weight loss, which she assumed was a result of her marathon preparation. One day after a run, however, she noticed a visible lump in her breast.
Katie acted quickly. After meeting with her doctors, she underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Doctors determined it was slow-growing cancer, and Katie was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
Navigating Treatment and Mental Health
Katie spoke candidly about the emotional weight of her diagnosis and the overwhelming feelings she experienced before starting treatment.
“I remember just wanting to get started, to get it over with,” she shared.
Receiving chemotherapy in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of difficulty, as hospital guest restrictions made her feel isolated.
“I sort of went into fight or flight mode,” Katie explained. “My body knew what it needed to do to survive mentally.”
The pandemic was not the only source of isolation. As the youngest patient in her clinic and with in-person support groups closed, Katie fortunately found connections through an online support community. That virtual space became a lifeline during a challenging time and even led her to meeting her now husband.
After completing treatment and entering active recovery, Katie discovered the complexities of life as a young cancer survivor. “During treatment, I remember thinking ‘this is the hard part,’ she shared. “But looking back, post treatment was almost harder.”
Having completed her mastectomy and radiation, and using cold capping (a chilled cap to minimize hair loss) throughout treatment, Katie didn’t always appear as “sick” as she felt. To many around her, the fight was over, and life could return to normal.
But Katie knew her life had permanently changed. She described a “waterfall” of lasting effects, including hormonal changes, lifelong medications and the emotional impact of survivorship, along with the loneliness that often accompanies it.
Determined to make a difference, Katie turned her own advice into action: “Find people your age who have had similar experiences. That was the only thing that truly helped me during that time.”
Building Community and Support
Inspired by the research and early detection that helped save her life, and craving connection, Katie felt called to support young women navigating cancer. She partnered with her best friend Neridah, a fellow cancer thriver who was diagnosed with lymphoma a year before Katie’s breast cancer diagnosis. Together, they created Doze, a clothing brand designed to help women going through treatment feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves.
For their first campaign, they invited young women who were cancer survivors to share their stories. A common theme quickly emerged: a cancer diagnosis does not define who they are. Through fashion and community Doze became a space for women to embrace their identities while honoring their experiences.
“Building this community has been life-changing,” Katie shared. “I have never felt more comfortable and real than with these women.” She added, “It’s incomprehensible to most people in their daily life, so having a space where women ‘get it’ is powerful.”
As the community has grown, Katie and Neridah have expanded their support by assembling care packages and creating chemotherapy and cold capping checklists to pay it forward to newly-diagnosed young women. Their goal remains to help others feel less alone and know that support is waiting.
Victory Over Cancer®, Together
Today, Katie is five years cancer-free, married, and now attends Wine Celebration alongside her husband and entire family. “It’s an emotional weekend,” she shared. “There’s so much joy seeing how deeply people care and are committed to curing cancer.” She treasures connecting with other thrivers, learning about breakthroughs, and celebrating progress.
For Katie, Victory Over Cancer® has many meanings. It’s found in reaching the five-year milestone of being cancer free. It lives in the community she’s built to support women navigating cancer. And it’s visible at Wine Celebration, as people unite to fuel research and hope.
