Ink the World Pink: Emo Girl Ink Battles Breast Cancer

Hello everyone! My name is Ryce but this is not about me; I'm here to bring attention to someone who is very important to me, a woman I love very much. You may know her as Sierra, "Emo Girl Ink", or if you're lucky enough, "Ra". Whether she's a friend, family or your tattoo artist, we can all agree on one thing— she is a beam of love and light to all.

On February 6th of 2024, Sierra was diagnosed with breast cancer. At only 26 years old, she would set out on journey of healing that would take nearly a year. After 10 months, a double mastectomy, three reconstructive surgeries and over 100 hours spent with her team of doctors, we were set to switch gears from physical to mental and spiritual healing.

Approximately two months after Sierra's final surgery, she noticed a pain that led us back to her oncologist. Though he thought nothing of it, Sierra (advocating for herself) was adamant that she get scans. The scans were ordered and completed on January 27th, 2025. On February 3rd, just three days shy of her one year diagnosis date, we were informed that the cancer was back.

Sierra's team has informed us that she will require at least one more procedure and approximately one month of radiation therapy. While nothing has been confirmed yet as we are waiting on scan results, we are anticipating another six to nine months before a full recovery.

If you are familiar with our story over the last year, you know that Sierra has not allowed this setback to stop her. In fact, when diagnosed in 2024, she was determined to change the narrative on cancer stories; she refused to let cancer take her light. Over the course of the last 12 months, we have conquered many challenges and celebrated even more victories. Despite her diagnosis we have managed to welcome into the family and (within a week of meeting) save our sweet baby Stewie from parvo, open a brand new tattoo studio in the heart of Phoenix (The Afterparty), tattoo one of Ra's longtime favorite artists (Modsun) and work with the biggest tattoo company on the face of the earth (Inked Magazine). These are just a few victories we have celebrated in the midst of war we have battled this last year.

Though this last year has not been easy, we had managed to make ends meets and looked forward to building up financial security once again. Unfortunately, cancer does not care about your emotional, physical or financial wellbeing. Though we are prepared to wage this war once again, we have given all but everything we had these last 12 months. We have set a fundraising goal to help offset the financial burden we are set to face once again; turns out cancer treatment is not cheap and it's hard to heal while you're working. That being said, all donations we receive will be going towards the items listed below:

-Medical/health

-The Afterparty

-Groceries

-Pet supplies

-Living expenses

We want to thank everybody for the support over the last year and the support we continue to receive. To our friends and family, you have been the rock we lean on. To those who don't yet know us but resonate with our story, we hope to inspire and instill light into your lives. We've got more fight in us and we are prepared to give cancer hell once again. We ask for your continued thoughts and prayers as this battle wages on.

With Love,

Sierra & Ryce