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When Brenn first felt a lump in her left breast in October of 2024, she knew something wasn’t right. She fought to get an earlier appointment, trusting her instincts, and by October 25 she received the news that would change her life: she had breast cancer. Just weeks later, on her father’s birthday, her diagnosis was confirmed as stage three invasive ductal carcinoma.

For many, that moment might have meant retreating, but Brenn chose a different path. “I vowed to myself on October 25 that I would never look like what I was going through,” she said. “Cancer ain’t got nothing on me.”

She meant it. Even while undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, and more hospital visits than she ever imagined, Brenn was determined to face her fight with strength, grace, and style. She kept working in her salon, leaned on her family and clients for support, and made sure that her face was always bright, her outfit always bold, and her spirit always defiant.

Family, Faith, and the “Pynk Mafia”

Brenn’s journey has never been one she’s walked alone. Her sister Tonya, her father “Pops,” and her entire family stood beside her. “They’re my mafia,” she explained. “This was a family-operated fight, so they’re my Pynk Mafia.”

That bond sparked something bigger than Brenn’s own fight. Inspired by the love surrounding her and motivated by the many others who face cancer alone, she created Brenn’s Pynk Breastie Brunch—an annual October event that brings survivors, fighters, and families together. The brunch includes a “table of memory,” where families can honor loved ones with photos and candles, ensuring that their presence is felt in the room.

“It’s more than just breast cancer,” Brenn shared. “It’s all cancer. But because I was diagnosed in October, and because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it became the Pynk Breastie Brunch.”

A New Purpose

While fighting cancer, Brenn poured her energy into entrepreneurship and service. She founded the Pynk Loft, a safe space for patients and families to come together without judgment. She launched multiple small businesses—from a photo booth company to balloon design services—and even guided her three young sons in creating Treat Kings, their own family business selling lemonade and treats. Most recently, she joined Prince George’s County Public Schools as a paraprofessional in cosmetology, helping students build their own futures.

Her impact extends far beyond her own family. This fall, she will take the stage as the opening speaker at the Susan G. Komen Tri-State Walk and has been named the new face of the foundation for the Washington, D.C. region.

Finding Light in the Darkness

For Brenn, one of the most powerful moments of her journey came when she rang the bell to mark the end of her treatments. A large crowd gathered to cheer her on, a testament to the community she had built. Soon after, the University of Maryland Breast Cancer Center featured her story in their new campaign, ensuring that her message reached even more people.

When asked what she would tell someone just starting their cancer journey, Brenn doesn’t hesitate:
“Baby, you don’t have cancer. Cancer doesn’t have you. Take it by the neck, drag it around, yolk it up and get it up out of there.”

Join the Movement

This October, just one year after her diagnosis, Brenn is turning her fight into a movement. Brenn’s Pynk Breastie Brunch will bring together survivors, fighters, and families to celebrate strength, honor those lost, and raise awareness for cancer research and patient support.

Tickets to Brenn’s Pynk Breastie Brunch can be purchased on Eventbrite here.

At the National Foundation for Cancer Research, we are proud to share Brenn’s story. Her resilience, determination, and vision embody the spirit of survivors everywhere—and remind us why advancing cancer research and supporting patients matters so deeply.