Holly Ferraro

I have only known Holly for a short time period but she has easily found a big place in my heart.  I never heard a young woman sound so positive about her battle with breast cancer.  It's as though she actually encourages and uplifts YOU during discussions about cancer!  Her outlook is amazing and this woman is a true testimony to anyone in her presence.  She has battled breast cancer in the past and was given the "clean bill of health."  Recently, she was diagnosed with a recurrence.  She courageously enters into her fight with only positive energy.  Her joyful heart, despite challenges, is awesome to me and those around her!  She is remarkable and extraordinary!  Her faith is amazing and inspirational! 

Holly is a beautiful woman on the inside and out!  She does not harbor bitterness.  She does not question "why me" or drown in self-pity.  She doesn't even seem to let disappointments, such as a different path for her life (instead of being married and working on having children at this point in her life) even put a stumble in her brisk walk to carry herself with a sense of contentment and inner peace.  WOW!

It does not take much to fall in love with Holly.  She is sweet, delightful, and spunky!  Her friends love her and want more of her.  She is simply magnetic!  Being in her presence for just a few minutes fully and adequately exposes how neat this phenomenal young lady is.  Again, she is truly inspirational & I am so blessed to call her my friend and survivor sister!

Holly was 25 when she was first diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She was still in college in Chicago. Holly had her double mastectomy in Chicago and then moved to Flower Mound to live with her brother and his family. They converted their study into a makeshift bedroom for her. She continued her treatment in Dallas and was in remission for 3 years.

The day before her 3-year "cancerversary", Holly was diagnosed with a stage 4 recurrence. The cancer was back, in her liver, bones and lungs. It was back and it was painful. That was about 2 months ago. Holly is now 28 and the most inspirational person you have ever met. I met Holly when I was going through chemo, she was the first person I'd ever met my own age with breast cancer. We talked for 3 hours straight. She is beautiful, independent, determined and proud. She moved out of her brother's house and into her own place last year. She works 7 days a week to keep her job and health insurance, despite the constant pain she is in.

If there was ever someone who deserved a little celebrating, it is Holly. She inspires me, encourages me and my life is richer because of her. There is a little group of us young gals who meet once a month, we call ourselves the "PF Chang Gang!" We meet at the Chang for support, laughs and encouragement. When Holly was diagnosed with her stage 4 disease, we swore we would take care of each other through thick and thin. Holly is an amazing person.

Holly Ferraro is a friend and an amazing, inspiring person! I first met Holly over a year ago at PF Chang's while meeting with several other survivors for lunch. I immediately was drawn to her zest for life and passion for others. She was about a year ahead of me in my own journey and had a cute short hair cut already, while I had none! I told her I loved her adorable hair and she said, "Girl, this will be your hair in a matter of months!" Well, we have remained Survivor Sisters ever since!! And we still love PF Chang's too!  

Holly was 25 when she was first diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She was still living in Chicago attending college. She along with her family decided it was best for Holly to move back to be close to family for support. Holly had her double mastectomy in Chicago and then moved to Flower Mound, TX to live with her brother and his family. They made living arrangements for her in their home. She continued her treatment in Dallas and had been in remission for 3 years. She then decided it was time to move out of her brother's home 2 years ago and into her own place. The day before her 3-year "survivorversary" (as I call it), Holly was diagnosed with a stage 4 recurrence. The cancer was back! It is in her liver, bones and lungs. Holly is now undergoing chemo treatments again once a week and is in a lot of pain. She continues to work 7 days a week to keep her job and health insurance, even despite all the pain and fatigue she has. 

Holly is beautiful, independent, determined, strong, courageous, proud and& inspiring! And for those of us that know her, if there was ever someone who deserved a little celebrating, it is Holly. She inspires me, makes me smile, and my life (along with many others) is richer because of her. I began a dinner with 5 young survivors including Holly several months ago. We meet one Sunday a month for dinner at the PF Chang's in Dallas. We call ourselves the "Hot & Spicy Chang Gang!". We are HOT for a Cure & lots of SPICE for Life!..That is Holly too! So we meet at the PF Chang's for support, laughs and encouragement. When Holly was diagnosed with stage 4 disease, we swore we would take care of each other through thick and thin. Holly is an inspiration not only to me but so many others!! She is deserving of this Honor!