From Previvor to Author: A Story of Hope

My name is Erica and I am a 37-year-old mom, teacher, and writer who lives in the Boston area. I’ve spent the past few years working on a deeply personal memoir about my journey as a BRCA1 previvor, a path that has been shaped by difficult decisions, moments of joy, and challenges that tested me to my core. I am the first person in my family’s long lineage of cancer to become a previvor. A "previvor" is someone who carries a genetic mutation that increases the risk of developing cancer but takes proactive steps to reduce that risk before cancer ever appears. For me, this meant making difficult decisions like undergoing a preventative mastectomy, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy.

My memoir chronicles my experiences with the BRCA gene mutation, preventive surgeries, and the intersection of my BRCA journey with the profound challenges of motherhood and postpartum depression. Through my story, I hope to raise awareness about the BRCA gene mutation and postpartum depression, empower others facing similar challenges, and create a sense of connection for those who feel isolated by their own experiences.

Living with BRCA required me to make choices I never imagined, but it has also taught me powerful lessons. Motherhood has been my anchor, even as postpartum depression darkened those early months. I’ve learned that love and pain can coexist, and healing is rarely linear. This book is for those who may feel alone, for anyone facing medical or mental health challenges, and for those learning to embrace imperfection and find beauty in life’s scars—both visible and invisible.

I’m seeking your support to fund the costs associated with publishing my memoir, including editing, design, and printing, so that I can share this story with as many people as possible. My goal is to make this book a tool for raising awareness and providing hope to others walking similar paths.

If you believe in the power of stories to heal, connect, and inspire, I would be incredibly grateful for your support. Your donation will help me get my story into the world so that others might feel less alone in their own.

Thank you for joining me on this journey! Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.