Teresa Kander

My Cancer Journey

I was first diagnosed with Stage III invasive ductal carcinoma in 2013. After nearly a year of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and recovery, I completed 10 years of Tamoxifen treatment.

Just two months after coming off the medication, I woke up one morning with my right arm swollen from my shoulder to my fingertips. While doctors were working to determine the cause, I experienced another devastating loss when my husband of 20 years, a decorated Marine veteran, passed away.

In February 2024, I was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. I am currently on my second line of treatment and continue to face each day with strength and determination.

More than anything, I hope to leave a legacy of love for my family and create lasting memories with those I cherish most.

My Wish

Teresa's wish is all about creating lasting memories with the people she loves most—her grandchildren.

At the end of July, Teresa and her two grandchildren, ages 10 and 16, will head off for a weekend of fun and adventure at Great Wolf Lodge and Kings Island. It's a trip they've never experienced before, making it even more special. To help them focus on making memories, Breast Wishes is also covering their food and drinks for the weekend.

Teresa is especially excited to capture plenty of photos along the way so her grandchildren will always have reminders of this special time spent together. More than anything, she wants them to remember the laughter, the adventures, and the love they shared with their grandma.

Seeing Teresa's smile as she talked about this wish said it all. We are honored to help make these precious memories possible and grateful to our supporters who continue to bring joy to women facing breast cancer.

Impact

For Teresa, this wish is about so much more than a weekend away. It's an opportunity to step outside of treatments, appointments, and uncertainty and simply be Grandma. The memories created during this trip will become treasured moments for both Teresa and her grandchildren, stories they'll tell for years to come, photos they'll look back on with smiles, and a reminder that even in the midst of life's hardest challenges, there is still room for joy, laughter, and love.