Everyone is born with BRCA genes. BRCA stands for BReast CAncer susceptibility gene. Normally, BRCA genes work to suppress tumors from growing. But when these genes are mutated, they are no longer able to help suppress tumors, leading to an increased risk of cancer.

Mutations in the BRCA gene are associated with breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. Women with a BRCA1 mutation have up to a 39% chance of developing ovarian cancer by age 70.

More info on BRCA can be found with this link: https://www.bebrcaware.com/what-is-brca/brca-facts.html

Both my mother and older sister are BRCA1 carriers, received a cancer diagnosis, and underwent bilateral mastectomies in 2013 and 2019 respectively.

After genetic testing in October 2019, it was found that I am also a carrier of the BRCA1 gene mutation.

Due to my family history, my risk for breast and ovarian cancer are higher than normal.

I have about 85% risk for breast cancer and 50% risk for ovarian cancer before I am 70.

Because of these inherent risks, I underwent multiple elective risk reducing surgeries over 2020 and 2021, including a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in July 2020.

My younger sister is also a BRCA1 carrier and had her bilateral mastectomy this past July.

We are grateful and fortunate to have the knowledge and resources to take proactive measures to reduce our risk and protect our health: Not all people are this lucky.

I wanted to find a way to serve this community, raise awareness, and raise funds to donate for BRCA specific research because there is still not enough known.

In an effort to do this, I have combined my passion for pottery with my desire to serve this community into this fundraiser.

I will be taking donations and selling my ceramic art to raise money for breast cancer research focusing on the BRCA gene mutations.

I am grateful for your support and appreciate your generosity!