Evelina Johnson Buendia is a breast cancer surviva, author, and inspirational speaker whose journey reflects grit, grace, and God's glory. After enduring cancer and recovering from a setback that left her in a wheelchair and walker, Evelina rose again—through prayer, physical therapy, and fierce determination. Earlier this year, Evelina began casually making fashion reels, telling herself it was time to “up” her look. What felt like fun, spirit-lifting content turned out to be a divine setup. “God always gives glimpses,” she says. “Those reels were little previews of a bigger purpose—this very moment.” She is the author of Healed: From Cancer to Surviva, a memoir birthed from blog entries on Cancer Support Community’s MyLifeLine platform. “No blog, no book,” she says. That platform helped her find her voice—now she uses it to uplift others from the Virginia House of Delegates to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer stages. Evelina believes confidence isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. “Even with one breast, I choose to feel whole, sexy, and victorious. My scar isn’t shame—it’s survival.” Every step she takes down the runway is a reminder that God’s not done, and the comeback is always stronger.

Like so many women who have annual mammograms, I certainly didn’t think I would have to return and have a biopsy on my right breast. Waiting for the results, I figured I was 79 years old, hadn’t felt any lump in my breast, and was very active and in good health. One week later, I had to go back and talk with the radiologist. I knew right away that I had breast cancer. The patient advocate at Beach General was wonderful.  She had set up my appointment with a surgeon, and I gave her the name of the Oncologist I wanted to see. Telling my children was hard, but telling my grandchild was very emotional for me.  I realized their concerns by their questions, are you going to lose your hair, will you be sick a lot and then are you going to die. They were well aware of the effects cancer has on the body; there were tears and laughter. I chose to have chemotherapy, which, for me, was not as bad as some women’s experiences. I lost my hair and only had to have five radiation treatments. It was not doom and gloom for me, I am a very positive person and was always looking forward.  My husband shaved my head with the help of my grandson and my daughter, and my daughter-in-law went with me to try on wigs, which was a hoot. We laughed the entire time. I took home two but never wore them. I finished my treatment, and then the unexpected happened: my 48-year-old daughter learned she had breast cancer.  Her story is totally different, and that will be her story to tell.

The little purple lady was born and raised in Chesapeake, Virginia. She is a graduate of Oscar Smith High School and has a degree in accounting and interior design. Theresa started playing golf at the age of 26, becoming a founding member of the Metro Women’s Golf Association and a member of the Princess Ann Country Club for 16 years. She is a member of the Sawyer family who built and operated Richmond International Raceway.  While in Richmond with her husband Wayne, they were instrumental in building the Dominion Club in Henrico, Virginia, and the Independent Country Club in Richmond, Virginia. Returning to Tidewater, she has been an active member of the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club for the past 26 years. Theresa has also been a Senior Women’s Amateur Flight winner in the state of Virginia and has had two holes in one! She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 79. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy and total breast reconstruction. She has now been cancer-free for three years. She continues to be very active playing golf, taking yoga classes, Shag dancing, walking, and acrylic painting.  With God’s grace, she was able to overcome the threat of cancer. 

Laura is a Virginia Beach native and a graduate of Bayside High School. At just 16 years old, she met the love of her life, Robby. She married Robby in 1995 and is still strong 31 years later. Just days before her 19th birthday and high school graduation, she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her mother to leukemia, an event that would shape her strength and resilience for years to come. Today, Laura is the President of Southampton Roads Construction. She is a devoted wife and a proud mother to her three daughters, Karlea, Kloe, and Kimber. In November 2022, during a routine mammogram, Laura received news of abnormal findings. While cancer was not something unfamiliar to her and her family, the severity of the diagnosis was unexpected. Understandably shaken, she was connected with a breast surgeon who performed a core needle biopsy, confirming a diagnosis of invasive carcinoma. A grade 1–2, estrogen receptor (ER) positive, progesterone receptor (PR) positive, and HER2-negative in her left breast in December 2022. Throughout her diagnosis and treatment, Laura leaned deeply into her faith. As a proud Christian, she found strength, peace, and resilience through her relationship with God. This became a guiding force during her most challenging moments. Laura underwent a procedure for partial lumpectomy in late December 2022. This revealed an 8 mm grade 1 tumor with clear surgical margins. However, two sentinel lymph nodes tested positive for cancer, including one with a 5 mm metastasis and extranodal extension. In January 2023, she went through an additional procedure, which was a subsequent axillary dissection that identified an additional lymph node positive for cancer. Her treatment plan included four rounds of chemotherapy followed by twenty-five rounds of radiation. Determined to preserve a sense of normalcy, Laura pursued cold capping during chemotherapy. With the unwavering support of her husband Robby, who spent hours preparing and managing the treatment during each session, she was able to retain approximately 80% of her hair.Laura completed radiation on June 15, 2023, ringing the bell on her 49th birthday, officially cancer-free. To celebrate this milestone and give back, her family now hosts an annual “Pink Party,” where friends and loved ones dress in pink to honor her journey and raise money for breast cancer research. In July 2023, she began Letrozole therapy and has continued diligent follow-up care, including annual mammograms and semiannual ultrasounds. In October 2024, she began Lupron injections, and in April 2026, she enrolled in a 39-month clinical trial with Virginia Oncology Associates involving Ribociclib. Now a three-year breast cancer survivor, Laura approaches life with renewed purpose. She chooses to live life to the fullest. She surrounds herself with family and friends, stays grounded in her faith, and has a deeper appreciation for each day. Her journey reflects resilience, strength, and an unwavering commitment to living life with love and intention.

Love for Laura!

Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Shaye Arluk is a graduate of First Colonial High School whose life changed forever when, at just 30 years old, she was diagnosed with pregnancy-induced breast cancer shortly after she stopped nursing her 15-month-old daughter. Today, 24 years later, she is grateful to stand before others not only as a survivor, but as someone who has dedicated more than 29 years to helping others live healthier lives through nutrition and wellness. Shaye is an oncology dietitian, national speaker, and Nutrition & Wellness Coordinator at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center. Her own experience with breast cancer gives her a perspective that extends far beyond textbooks and research—it fuels her passion for helping others navigate cancer with knowledge, resilience, and hope. Outside of work, Shaye's greatest joy is her family. She and her husband, Glen, love traveling and creating new adventures while finding every opportunity to visit their three adult children—Brianna, Madison, and Dylan—who now live in different states. She also enjoys Pilates, dancing, and spending time with her beloved labradoodle, Toby. A lifelong dancer, Shaye recently retired after directing two local dance teams over the past 20 years, although she still happily returns whenever she can to mentor young dancers. Whether she's educating patients, speaking to audiences, or walking the runway, Shaye hopes her story reminds every woman that a breast cancer diagnosis does not define your future. Strength, beauty, purpose, and joy can grow even stronger in survivorship!

In May 2025, Wendy found a lump in her right breast and was diagnosed with Stage 2 HER2-positive ductal breast cancer. After undergoing a double mastectomy, a CT scan for an unrelated ovarian cyst revealed lesions in her spine and pelvis. A bone biopsy confirmed a new diagnosis of Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, showing that the disease had spread beyond the breast.

Despite this unexpected turn, Wendy has faced every challenge with determination, positivity, and grace. Today, she is thriving on treatment, living an active and healthy lifestyle, and embracing each day with gratitude. She hopes her journey serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is strength, hope, peace, happiness, and love to be found.

Leann Bakht was diagnosed in October of 2005 with breast cancer at the age of 36.  After a self-exam, she discovered a lump in her left breast.  Her OBGYN figured it was just a cyst due to her age but referred her to a breast specialist. The breast specialist was out of the country for 3 weeks, and Leann’s husband, being a cardiologist, said not to wait and encouraged her to seek another doctor who had performed a mastectomy on her mother-in-law two years prior.  She underwent a lumpectomy with a general surgeon the following week, who diagnosed her with a 2 cm tumor that was positive for cancer. Her tumor was HER2 positive, and her lymph nodes were clear.  She then underwent a mastectomy followed by 6 months of chemotherapy.  Leann followed up yearly with her oncologist as well as a yearly mammogram of her right breast.  In October of 2025, she had an abnormal mammogram.  She followed up with an additional mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and an MRI biopsy, which showed no malignancy or carcinoma. Her surgeon wanted to perform a tissue removal around the suspicious site, but Leann opted for a mastectomy.  The surgery was performed in early December, and pathology reported invasive ductal carcinoma and HER2 triple negative, stage one, which required no treatment. She continues to share with others to be their own best advocate and to listen to their bodies. She thanks God for sharing people along this journey who have walked this path and provided support, love, and knowledge.

 We are not alone.

Nicole Banks, M.D., is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology. After graduating from Harvard University magna cum laude, Dr. Banks earned her medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She then pursued her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Georgetown University, where she was the recipient of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Resident Award.

Dr. Banks then continued her studies with a research-intensive fellowship in genetics at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During this time, Dr. Banks received the 2013 ASRM Corporate Member Council In-training Travel Award, where she ultimately contributed to four ASRM presentations on topics including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), structural abnormalities of the Y chromosome, and gene mutations. Dr. Banks then completed a second fellowship at NIH in reproductive endocrinology.

A passionate researcher, Dr. Banks has contributed to medical publications focusing on subjects such as endometriosis and fertility preservation, contraceptive technologies, and the effects of ovarian reserve and early menopause. She is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Banks currently sees patients at SGF Jones Institute in Norfolk, Virginia. In her free time, she enjoys tackling bucket list items like recently hiking to the Old Rag Summit in Shenandoah National Park (rock scramble and all), decorating cakes for friends and family, and spending time with family.

Shaye Arluk, MS, RDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is an oncology dietitian, national speaker, 24-year breast cancer survivor, and Nutrition & Wellness Coordinator at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center, where she has served since 2021. For more than 29 years, she has helped individuals and families discover the powerful connection between nutrition, wellness, disease prevention, and survivorship.

As both a healthcare professional and breast cancer survivor, Shaye brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and lived experience to every presentation. She is passionate about translating the latest nutrition science into practical, encouraging strategies that help people feel stronger, more empowered, and more hopeful during and after cancer treatment. Through lectures, media appearances, and community events, she teaches evidence-based approaches to nourishing the body, supporting gut health, reducing cancer risk, and improving quality of life.

Shaye has appeared on national and local media, including The Doctors, The Hampton Roads Show, and WVEC. Her expertise has also been featured in TIME, USA Today, Prevention Magazine and Everyday Health.

She earned her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, her Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Old Dominion University, and completed her dietetic internship at VCU Medical Center.

Shaye truly believes it was life's plan for her to combine her professional expertise with her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor to inspire others to live fully, move joyfully, and nourish themselves with compassion, confidence, and hope.