Hunter Johnston

Name: Hunter Johnston

Company: Natural Nail Care Clinic

Title: Owner

Goal: $3,500

Why I am Participating:

I am a wife, a mother of two amazing boys, a business owner, and a Breast Cancer survivor of 14+ years. I was 29 when I found my lump, 30 when I was diagnosed, and 31 when I was declared cancer-free. This was not an easy road to travel, but it provided me with my biggest lesson and, later, my biggest strength.  You have to be your own advocate.

In February 2009, after finding the lump, I was sent for a mammogram, but due to the fact that I was not yet 30 years old, I was only approved for an ultrasound. At that point, I was told to “keep an eye on it”, and in 8 months, it grew from a pea size lump to the size of a marble. It felt just like the fake breast that was passed around in Epidemiology class in college, the one that has the hard masses in to demonstrate what a breast with cancer might feel like. Thank God for that class that gave a young girl knowledge that stuck with her several years later. When I went to meet with the surgeon about removing the lump, I was told I could wait 6 more months. I pushed for immediate surgery instead. Instead of a routine post-procedure follow-up, I received a call to meet with the surgeon, who confirmed my suspicion, I had breast cancer.  From that moment on, life was a roller coaster with questions and appointments. The cancer was ER/PR/HER2 positive and had spread to my lymph nodes by the time I had my mastectomy. I had a wonderful team of doctors, family, and friends to support me along my journey. Six rounds of chemo were no joke. I was so very happy to have those done, as you see… I had a wedding to plan! During the time of diagnosis to treatment, my wonderful now husband asked me to marry him. Life had its ups and downs but there was a light at the end of the tunnel and a wedding to celebrate. We will be married for 13 years this year on April 9. I was the Cancer Free Bride at a breast cancer awareness race the morning of our wedding in 2011. We have two amazing sons who are the light of my life, and I am grateful to watch them grow. In the years since becoming cancer-free, I transitioned to the owner of my business, Natural Nail Care Clinic, where I celebrated 10 years as the owner this January. I love making my clients happy, and having a beautiful manicure can turn your day around. 

My motto is BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE! It helped save my life and is why I will continue to raise awareness as a Proud Sole Star for the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation.