About Me

I’m Marina Blackford and I beat cancer twice. 

Each diagnosis came after the best times of my life. The first time I had qualified to run the Boston Marathon after trying for 3 years. The next week my biopsy would be positive for Stage II triple negative breast cancer. I was told I needed to start chemotherapy immediately and have a double mastectomy due to a genetic mutation, BRCA1. I would take my marathon training and apply it to beating cancer. I ate, slept and used my mindset to live well during treatment.

My second diagnosis would come 3 months after having my second child. I had found a new lump on the side of my breast reconstruction that turned out to be cancer again. I started 15 rounds of chemo while being a mom to a 2 year old and newborn. I had another lumpectomy and 30 radiation therapies. Through each journey I found a way to live beyond being a cancer patient. I was more than a fighter; I was always a survivor. I live beyond cancer in faith and self love. I believe we are more than a “cancer patient”. We are people that deserve to live well and fully heal starting today.