Dawn Murray: A Mother, Grandmother, and the Heart of Her Family, Making the Most of Every Moment
Dawn Murray, a devoted mother and grandmother from Perkins, Oklahoma, has spent her life nurturing her family and finding fulfillment in the simple joys of working with children. After surviving breast cancer in 2019, Dawn faced the harsh reality of stage 4 cervical cancer in 2023. But despite the challenges, her Love Bomb allows her to focus on what matters most: creating lasting memories with her grandkids and giving her daughters a well-deserved break. Read Dawn's story of love, resilience, and family as she continues to find joy in the journey.
Meet Kelli Sekulovich: A Cancer Survivor's Story of Resilience, Family, and Hope
Kelli Sekulovich, a 38-year-old anesthesiologist and mother of three, is facing the unimaginable as she battles Stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer. After surviving a tumultuous journey of cancer treatment while pregnant, Kelli’s cancer returned, spreading to her liver. Despite these challenges, Kelli remains determined to live for her family, and with the support of the Love Bomb, she hopes to create lasting memories with her loved ones. Read Kelli's inspiring story of resilience, strength, and hope.
Kristen Shelhamer: From Cancer Battles to Gym Goals, This Mom Is Kicking Ass and Taking Names
Kristen Shelhamer, a single mom from Wamego, Kansas, is juggling life with two wild boys, a demanding nursing job, and a past filled with tough challenges. After being diagnosed with Stage 2B triple-negative breast cancer just months after an unexpected personal life shift, Kristen faced it all with humor and grit. Now, with the help of a Love Bomb, she's setting new goals to reclaim her physical health, transform her home into a workout sanctuary, and show her sons the strength of a mom who can handle anything life throws her way—while still loving herself.
Lauren’s Journey: Embracing Life, Love, and the Unforgettable Moments Ahead
Meet Lauren, a resilient Chicago native who, despite being diagnosed with early-stage 4 breast cancer, continues to live life with humor, hope, and determination. After undergoing rigorous treatment, Lauren is determined to celebrate her milestone 40th birthday with an unforgettable trip to Hawaii, supported by the Love Bomb. Her story is a reminder that even when faced with the toughest of challenges, life can still be full of joy and meaning.
Lea Nina Cobarrubias: Building Dreams, Overcoming Obstacles, and Making Space for Family
Lea Nina Cobarrubias has navigated a journey full of challenges, from pursuing her dreams in physical therapy to supporting her family back home. With a deep commitment to caregiving and a plan to open an adult foster care home, her life shifted when she faced a health setback. Now, Lea is using her Love Bomb to carve out moments for her family, starting with a trip to Maine. Read her story of resilience, love, and determination to balance family, work, and personal aspirations.
Savannah Kean: Fighting for Family, Focused on the Future
Savannah Kean, a 37-year-old mom from Morgantown, Indiana, was living a full life with her three boys and her passion for hairstyling when everything changed in November 2023. Diagnosed with breast cancer and facing the grueling toll of treatment, including bone pain, brain fog, and financial strain, Savannah’s strength lies in her commitment to her family. Now, with the help of a Love Bomb, Savannah hopes to return to her work, provide for her children, and find some balance amid the chaos.
Meeting Life’s Challenges Head-On: Misti Crawford’s Story of Resilience and Family
Misti Crawford, a mother, grandmother, and devoted wife, lives on a 40-acre farm in Kansas, balancing family, school, and life’s unexpected challenges. After receiving a cancer diagnosis just before purchasing a 100-year-old farmhouse, Misti's resilience was put to the test. With the support of a Love Bomb, she’s focusing on reconnecting with her family, especially her daughter and granddaughter, and making up for lost time. Read Misti’s story of strength, love, and the power of family.
Our Girl, Ashley Crews
Ashley Crews was more than just a beloved member of our Rural Gone Urban Foundation community; she was a vibrant force of joy, creativity, and resilience.
Empowering Advocate, Holly Hernandez, Makes Memories with Her Family on a Louisiana Road Trip.
Holly Hernandez, a former social worker and mother of five, navigates metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer while advocating for others facing similar battles.
Blockhead with Grit: Marcie Bouchard's Is Kicking Cancer to the Curb
Marcie Bouchard, a lifelong educator and devoted Blockhead, is kicking Stage 3 Adrenocortical Carcinoma to the curb.
Braving the Storm: Jennifer Tuten's Resilience in the Face of Cancer
Jennifer Tuten's life has been marked by cancer since her mother’s diagnosis in 2001. Now a pre-k teacher and single mother, Jennifer confronts her own Stage 3 Colon Cancer diagnosis while prioritizing her daughter's well-being, embodying resilience and a commitment to creating lasting memories together.
Faith and Family: Brandy Clevenger's Triumph Over Adversity
Brandy Clevenger’s journey from misdiagnosis to a Stage 4 Neuroendocrine Tumor reveals her unwavering determination and strength. Balancing her role as a mother, school counselor, and community advocate, Brandy's faith guides her as she navigates the complexities of her health challenges.
Jessica Pieniadz, Synovial Sarcoma
Wife of twenty years. Loving mom of nine children. NICU nurse. Loud. Tattooed, high-heel-loving, rockabilly-dress-wearing devotee of all things retro. This is Jessica Pieniadz (@sufferingsurvivingsarcoma). In 2021, Synovial Sarcoma was added to Jessica's list of descriptors. While Synovial Sarcoma is now one of her many descriptors, it does not define her.
Jillian Chapman, Stage 4 Breast Cancer
For Jillian Chapman (@jrchapman8), first came love, then came marriage, then came… freakin’ cancer. In November 2018, just two short months after marrying her college sweetheart, Stage 4 Breast Cancer showed up like an uninvited wedding crasher, and it’s been anything but a honeymoon since then.
Laura Morris Receives Love Bomb
Laura Morris (@create_morr1 on Instagram) was in the best shape of her life. Fit and fabulous, she married her high school sweetheart, worked in education and eventually became a mom to two young children. Then came the Stage 3C, Triple Negative Breast Cancer and things got real.
Gina Gillikin, Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer-Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
We are honored to Love Bomb - Gina Gillikin - @gina_michelle1229 - who is slaying stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. While used to dealing with the medical profession from the inside as a medical assistant, she entered the patient side when she was diagnosed in 2019 at just 30 years young.
Cara, MetAstatic Triple NEgative Breast Cancer
Cara — @ckenwyn — is the epitome of bravery. Diagnosed July of 2018 with triple negative breast cancer, while pregnant with her second son, Cara launched into a full court press cancer treatment by starting chemo when he was three weeks old.
Krista Tacderas, metastatic triple negative breast cancer
Krista Tacderas — @loving.my.scars — is of the bravest and strongest of us all. At 29, she was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma triple negative breast cancer, with a brca1 gene mutation, the very week the world shut down from a global pandemic while only four months removed from resigning from her nursing position to be a stay at mom with her 1 year old daughter.
Sadie Lackey, Stage 4 Classic Hodgkin lymphoma, nodular sclerosis subtype
We are so honored to award a love bomb to miss Sadie Lackey (@lackeysadie on Instagram), who is kicking Stage 4 Classic Hodgkin lymphoma, nodular sclerosis subtype, where it counts.
“Cancer has assaulted my mental health, rearranged my dreams, and paused my ambition. Mostly because... I'm just freaking tired,” Sadie shared. “And, dang it, The Turnpike Troubadours are coming to town, and I can't go. Because I have cancer.”
Amber Cartwright, stage 4 metastatic colon rectal cancer
Amber Cartwright is a 36 year old mom of two who is facing off with stage 4 metastatic colon rectal cancer. With her love bomb she plans to take her family to a cabin on the lake to make all the memories.