Gabriella Meriano
2022 Participant/Breast Cancer Survivor
Topsail Island, NC

I was diagnosed in May 2021, at the age of 36, with breast cancer. I (or really ‘We’ as my family is much of this journey as well) made it through 6 rounds of chemo, a double mastectomy, 2 additional surgeries, and a year of immunotherapy. The Topsail Island retreat was the highlight of our year. While we knew it was a breast cancer retreat, it never once felt like it was about breast cancer. This vacation was a vacation from our life. It allowed us time just to breathe, relax, and have fun…something we had not been able to do. More so, our 5-year-old daughter, Cora, had a blast-immediately asked if we could “live at the beach.” I wish every breast cancer patient could experience what we did with Little Pink Houses of Hope. It truly was a blessing for us. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts!