Sally Wolf, CEO and Founder of LightWorks, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“I began using the term thriver when my cancer spread, but on days like today, when a cherished metastatic sister passes away, it feels so terribly off.
The truth is 115 folks die from MBC every day.
Today just happened to be a day I knew one personally.
Her name was Brittney Beadle.
And while she was never on LinkedIn, she amassed 90+K followers on Instagram – all drawn to her immeasurable light – so I want to share her story here.
Brittney was diagnosed with breast cancer at 18.
She advocated for herself when she felt a lump, and was still dismissed when imaging showed a mass. By the time she was diagnosed, it had already spread.
She had a double mastectomy the date of her prom, then began chemo and graduated high school the same day.
She’d been dismissed, told she was too young.
So she started sharing her story and advocating.
To help ensure her story didn’t become anyone else’s.
Because while breast cancer at 18 is improbable, it’s not impossible. And you know your body better than anyone.
Brittney’s online presence was honest, raw and real.
In a world where many seek influencer status, she did something so much more admirable.
She elevated the dialogue about Stage IV.
She shared in a way that expanded possibility.
She chose hope even when doctors gave her none.
She also outlived her prognosis more than once.
So much so that despite a really rough few months I still expected her to bounce back, again. We all did.
And while I only met Brittney in person once, deep connection can be created fast within our community.
I will forever cherish our 2024 weekend together.
And am determined to help keep her memory alive.
So if you’d like to honor Brittney’s memory:
- Visit her IG (@brittneybeadle) to feel her light.
- Schedule your annual screening if you haven’t.
- Add monthly reminders for self-exams at any age.
Photo: the final slide of Brittney’s pinned IG post, which captures her philosophy about life, and the message she’d most want me to share.”
Other articles about Breast Cancer on OncoDaily.