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!

Shaye Arluk is an oncology dietitian, national speaker, 23-year breast cancer survivor, and Nutrition & Wellness Coordinator at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center. For more than 25 years, she has helped individuals and families understand the powerful connection between nutrition, wellness, and cancer prevention and survivorship.

As both a healthcare professional and survivor, Shaye brings a deeply personal perspective to her work. She is passionate about translating nutrition science into realistic, encouraging strategies that help people feel stronger and more empowered during and after cancer treatment.

Shaye has appeared on national and local media, including The Doctors, The Hampton Roads Show, and as a nutrition expert for WVEC. Her work has also been featured in Time Magazine, Everyday Health, and USA Today.

Outside of work, Shaye’s favorite role is being a wife and mom. She and her husband, Glen, love traveling and exploring the world together, while also finding every excuse possible to visit their three adult children—Brianna, Madison, and Dylan—who now all live in different states. When she’s not speaking or working with patients, you can usually find her doing Pilates, cuddling with her labradoodle Toby, or dancing. A lifelong dancer, Shaye recently retired after directing two dance teams over the past 20 years, although she still happily jumps in to help whenever needed.Shaye 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. She is honored to combine her professional expertise and personal journey to encourage others to live fully, move joyfully, and nourish themselves with compassion and hope.

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.