Gerri’s Journey from Shame to Strength: A Survivor’s Mission

“If I had waited 6 months, there would have been nothing they could do.” 

Those were the words Gerri’s surgeon told her after diagnosing her with stage 2 vulvar cancer. For over a year, Gerri had dismissed her symptoms—irritation, pain, and what she thought was a cyst—too ashamed to go to the doctor. “It still baffles me that women feel this way,” she says. 

Her breaking point came when the discomfort became unbearable and a friend convinced her to seek care. That decision likely saved her life. She underwent a radical vulvectomy and partial vaginectomy in November 2024, supported every step of the way by her husband, daughter, and a tight-knit group of girlfriends.

“I have never felt so loved and cared for,” she reflects. Her humor and resilience helped her navigate the emotional and physical aftermath, and she now shares her story openly to help others. “If it helps just one person, I will tell my story.” 

The Race to End Women’s Cancer is about more than running—it’s about moving the conversation forward, raising awareness, and giving women the courage to take charge of their health like Gerri. Her story reminds us that silence can be deadly, but shared stories can save lives.