Through the Lens 2026

My name is Sandra and today I would like to share my story with you.

I want you to know that even though cancer may sometimes take away a part of our body, our lives still have meaning and purpose, because we are so much more than an organ.

Four years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Receiving that news was one of the most difficult moments of my life. I felt fear, uncertainty, and as if I were living a nightmare.

I had to make the difficult decision to let go of a part of my body so that I could keep living, keep loving the people around me, and continue sharing life with them.

I have always considered myself a strong woman, but it was after cancer that I truly discovered the strength within me. Cancer changed many things, but it could not break me.

Today, I am here walking this runway as a resilient woman, convinced that I am much more than the sum of everything that has happened to me.

I am deeply grateful to my husband and my children for walking beside me every step of the way. I am also thankful for Ann's Place and the Spanish Support Groups, especially Resilientes and El Mismo Barco, because there I found much more than support—I found hope, understanding, and a safe place where I could truly be myself. Thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey, today I can say with confidence that I was never alone.

That is why I stand here today, proud to tell you that it is possible.

I am also here to help raise funds so that others facing cancer can receive the same support and opportunities that I was blessed to receive.

I want everyone who is going through this journey to remember one very important thing: we are more than a diagnosis, we are more than a disease, and we are much more than a part of our body. Our essence, our dignity, our dreams, and our ability to love and keep moving forward—those are things cancer can never take away from us.

Thank you.

Thank You for Supporting Our Models 

Thank you for supporting the models featured in Ann’s Place’s Through the Lens reception. Through photography, this event celebrates individuals whose stories reflect the experiences of many neighbors whose lives have been touched by cancer. 

Your donation directly supports local families by helping fund vital services for individuals and their loved ones as they navigate their cancer journeys. 

Join Us at the Reception 

We invite you to join us for an evening of community, connection, and celebration. Tickets available at AnnsPlace.org.  

• Date:September 24,2026 6pm
• Location:Heritage Hotel in Southbury, CT
• What to expect:View stunning photographs, meet the models and photographers, connect with other Ann’s Place supporters, and enjoytastings from local restaurants. Cash bar.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: Through The Lens