FIGHTING FOR OUR FAMILY

After cancer swept through their family, cousins Raelee and Lisa vowed to make a difference

- Brigid Auchettl

When cousins Raelee Kingdom and Lisa Lloyd were diagnosed with the cancer-causing BRAC1 gene five years ago, they made a vow – they would do everything possible to prevent getting breast cancer. After witnessing Raelee’s mother, two sisters and their grandmother all be diagnosed with breast cancer, the women knew they had to take action.

“Knowing you have the BRAC gene is extremely upsetting,” says Lisa, 48. “Your anxiety is always high. You feel like cancer is always just around the corner.”

First, both women had preventative hysterectomies five years ago.