My Journey

My name is Bianca Robinson and I am a Stage 2 HER2+ breast cancer survivor from Smithfield, VA. I am the mom to my beautiful daughter Laila. I love spending time with my family and friends, exploring different places with my daughter and volunteering at my church.

I first felt a lump in my breast in April 2019 while in the shower. Ever since my grandmother passed away in 2010 from breast cancer, my family became huge advocates and constantly performed self-exams. I scheduled an appointment with my doctor and I was told it was a “caffeine cyst” but I knew that didn’t sound right because I barely drank any caffeine. After talking with my mom and one of my friend’s mom who is a breast cancer survivor, I decided to get a 2nd opinion. In May 2019, I went to the 2nd doctor, she felt 2 lumps and immediately scheduled a mammogram and ultrasound. At this point, I started thinking it could be breast cancer, but I also thought I was too young to have breast cancer so it had to be something else. When I went for my mammogram and ultrasound appointment, I was feeling at ease because I just knew there was no way it could be breast cancer because I was only 29 years old. Once the radiologist came in the room and read the ultrasound scan, he told me there were actually 6 masses instead of 2. My heart sank and all I could do was cry. In that moment, the radiologist noticed the cross necklace I had on and said he felt led to pray over me and asked if that was okay. Immediately, I could feel God’s presence surround me and reassure me that everything was going to be okay.

Throughout the entire journey, I was overwhelmingly blessed. From my parents allowing me to move back in and taking over almost full responsibility of caring for my daughter, to my church paying for all my chemotherapy treatments, and my job moving me out of my apartment in less than a 2 week timespan of finding out I needed to move.

Even though I was tremendously blessed, I still struggled mentally from the thoughts of how life would be years after I finished treatments and how I viewed my “new” body after all the surgeries. I did not want to be known as the “girl who had breast cancer” but that’s what I constantly thought people saw when they looked at me. At this point, I knew I needed God AND therapy. I had never been in therapy before so I was not sure what to expect. After the first couple sessions, I started to truly allow myself to feel all the raw emotions from being diagnosed at 29 while still trying to navigate life as a single mother, dating as a breast cancer survivor and accepting my “new” body.

I realized having this safe space to process all my raw emotions was a pivotal turning point in my healing process after treatments. In 2021, God gave me the vision of a non-profit to help other young women who may not have the resources to afford one-on-one counseling sessions. Young women who are still trying to figure out life, should not have to choose between their physical health and their mental health because of the costs of both.

I have most recently completed my Master’s program in Human Services Counseling: Crisis Response and Trauma Counseling from Liberty University and will continue my journey to fulfill the requirements to become a licensed trauma counselor for breast cancer warriors.

Today, I stand tall as a survivor, a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of early detection. My journey has taught me the value of life, the strength of family, and the beauty of resilience.

I share my story not for sympathy, but to inspire others facing similar battles. To all the warriors out there, remember, you are not alone. Together, we can conquer any challenge that comes our way.