MY GLOW
I had that glow. You know the one you have when you meet the love of your life at a wedding in Hawaii, and he wants to make you his forever? The one you have when you know nothing can go wrong at 36.
Well, it only took three little words to dim my light. I felt like I was jumped in a gang, given these colors – the color pink, ugh. I soon learned there was nothing pretty in pink.
Managing the ebbs and flows after a breast cancer diagnosis was never ending. Our life together was just beginning, but we had no future in sight.
I’m now standing here, in my Chemo Glow, willing to share my moments. Because I soon learned that the glow doesn’t define me, I define the glow.
HEALING THROUGH INK
Hayley Moran is drawn to the bohemian textures of life, styled by the virtues of Freedom, Beauty, Truth, Peace, Love and Rock’n’Roll! Haylo Healing Arts Lounge opened their doors at the very beginning of 2015. This marks Hayley’s 20th year as a professional in Transpersonal Art of Tattooing.
Haylo Healing Arts Lounge offers Custom Breast Adornment and/or 3-D Areola Renewal. Hayley is “Healing Through Ink” in her collaboration with Dr. Garrett Harper of Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery. His dedication to women battling breast cancer is a major passion as he strives to bring hope and encouragement at a difficult time.
JOINING THE CONVERSATION
JOINING THE CONVERSATION
JOINING THE CONVERSATION
ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
BEYOND THE GLOW
I have met some wonder women since I heard those “3 words”.
We share a common bond that I never wanted to have but I’m grateful for every connection.
RHONDA MICHELLE HOWELL
Rhonda Michelle Howell was raised in Wake Forest, NC, and went on to graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill with a major in economics and a minor in French. After a successful 15-year career as a loan underwriter, Rhonda was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following this she dedicated much of her life to the cause, serving various roles including time on the board of directors for METAvivor Research and Support Inc. From 2018 to 2020, Rhonda and her husband Adam co-chaired 3 galas, raising over $375,000 for the cause. Rhonda loved travelling, shopping, making handmade greeting cards, and most of all her son Luke and husband Adam.
AMAL LINA KHOURY
Dr. Amal Lina Khoury was born in San Francisco and spent most of her youth in the Bay Area before graduating from the University of California, Riverside with a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Amal continued her studies in Washington D.C. at Howard University where she reveived her M.D. before earning her Masters in Public Health at UNC-North Carolina. Eventually she made her way back home to San Francisco, where she completed her fellowship in Oncological Breast Surgery. Amal had many loves, including reading, gardening, dancing, connecting to her roots through Palestinian dabke, and her dog Ghost.
ALLISON WALSH SMITH
Allison Walsh Smith spent her youth in Louisiana and then Georgia before ultimately settling in North Carolina, where she attended Queens College in Charlotte and the UNC Law School. While here, she met the love of her life, Matt, who she would go on to share her life, three children, and 21 years with. Her kind spirit and sense of duty to her community will be remembered for years to come.
MONIQUE HEADECKER-GREEN
Monique Headecker-Green was born in New York and spent most of her adult life living in Raleigh, North Carolina. Monique spent 15 years working at the Employment Security Commission before she was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer, which she fought through bravely while becoming a talk show host on ALH Broadcasting, began a jewelry line, and ultimately published her autobiography “Nothing Shall Separate Me” in 2021, detailing her many years and relationship with God through it all.
INGRID CRISTINA LINDAHL
Ingrid Cristina Lindahl was born in Cali, Columbia on November 8, 1971. She would eventually find herself at Florida International University, where she graduated with a degree in Psychology. After her education she moved to Charlotte, where she met the love of her life, Kevin, whom she married in 2011. Ingrid’s caring spirit manifested in her time as a case worker for the ARC of North Carolina. In her free time, Ingrid cherished her western NC hiking trips with her husband, as well as spending time with her dogs Tasy and Ginger.
SHARON DENISE SMITH
Sharon Denise Smith grew up in Fayetteville, NC, before eventually moving to Charlotte later in life. As a strong advocate for Breast Cancer, Sharon participated in several awareness programs including the Susan G. Women Foundation Walk/Run several times. She was a loving, caring, and outgoing person with a bubbly personality that no darkness could overshadow.
