Kelly Michael: A Voice of Hope from One Thriver to the Next
As a proud mother of four, Kelly Michael is no stranger to coordinating a busy home stacked with kids’ sports, school and appointments. Amidst the fun and chaos, she has always been proactive in her own health as well, doing regular self-exams and scheduling her first screening mammogram in early 2018, shortly after turning 40. This advocacy not only saved her life but also led her to a career at the V Foundation for Cancer Research where she is making a difference for patients and families just like hers.
A Whirlwind Appointment
A few weeks before her first mammogram, Kelly noticed unusual changes in her body. Although there were no discernable lumps, she felt swelling in one breast, which progressed rapidly within a week. She and her doctor fast-tracked her appointment, which led to an ultrasound and a biopsy, all in the same afternoon.
“I went into it thinking this is probably just an infection or an allergic reaction, but after they did the ultrasound and the biopsy, something didn’t feel right.” said Kelly. “Very quickly, the whole situation changed. Walking into that appointment and then walking out, life was very different.”
Several days later, Kelly received the diagnosis: stage 3B triple-positive breast cancer that was moving aggressively. This opened a new world of appointments, surgeons, and evaluating treatment options. Kelly and her husband shared the news with their four children, who ranged in age from middle school to preschool, adjusting the conversation based on their age and individual needs, and always staying optimistic as a family.
After two years of treatments – including six rounds of chemotherapy, one year of immunotherapy, 33 radiation sessions, and multiple surgeries – Kelly was officially declared cancer-free in early 2020.
Kelly and her husband, Mick
Community Coming Together
Kelly credits her husband, Mick, her parents, a close-knit circle of friends, and countless community members for stepping up at the hardest times. “My husband’s support was always present,” said Kelly. “I think sometimes in this journey, the caretaker gets overlooked. They go into survival mode managing responsibilities not only for themselves, but all the additional roles they assume caring for their loved one, all while trying to process their own fear and emotions. And the community we had surrounding our family – we couldn’t have done it without them. Cancer is something you never want to experience, but there is beauty scattered throughout those really dark spaces – the people who come alongside you and help you get through it.”
In the years since her diagnosis, Kelly has connected with many other cancer thrivers, including other women navigating motherhood and cancer.
“Mothers tend to put our needs last. We make sure everyone else is taken care of,” said Kelly. “But when you get a cancer diagnosis, that’s impossible, you can’t keep up with everything. The first thing I say [to new patients]: just breathe. Take a moment to process the news that was given to you. And be gentle with yourself. You’re fighting a literal battle, so be kind to yourself and understand that life will need to slow down for a season.”
Kelly also emphasizes the importance of finding a mental health therapist who specializes in cancer treatments. With so much to process, this can be a safe space for patients to express all their emotions and fears surrounding a cancer diagnosis.
A New Mission: Joining the V Foundation
In 2023, Kelly found a new way to continue making a profound impact for cancer patients: joining the staff of the V Foundation. Kelly works within the Grants & Research team, helping to drive forward game-changing cancer research.
As a long-time Raleigh resident, Kelly knew Jim Valvano’s NC State legacy and his unwavering passion to defeat cancer through the V Foundation. Inspired by the mission, she was excited about working for an organization that would advance the research that saved her life.
“Knowing that 100% of the donations we receive goes to cancer research was a big draw for me,” said Kelly. “My cancer specifically was HER2+ breast cancer. In the early 90s, women with this type had a very limited life expectancy. If I had received my diagnosis 15 years earlier, I wouldn’t have seen my children grow up. I wouldn’t have experienced all of life’s moments without the new immunotherapy drug that changed the course for HER2+ cancer.”
Mother’s Day Reflections
With Mother’s Day 2025 around the corner, Kelly notes what a sentimental time this can be for so many families, celebrating the joys of motherhood while also honoring those we’ve lost.
“I feel so thankful to celebrate what is one of the most important roles in my life,” said Kelly. Whether it’s a major milestone like a graduation or a weeknight car-ride home from sports practice, cancer has given her a new appreciation for both the big and small moments with her family.
This year, Kelly will be celebrating Mother’s Day alongside her husband and four children, as well as her own mother, a fellow breast cancer thriver. She looks forward to many more memories to come, thanks to the groundbreaking research that has made it all possible.
