Pink Parties: Finding Solidarity Against Three Breast Cancer Diagnoses

In the community of Keller, Texas, Tonia Swartzer, Andrea “Andi” Hemphill and Angela Lesley were accustomed to sharing the milestones of life, from carpooling their children to inside jokes that spanned decades. However, between 2018 and 2020, the trio found themselves sharing a far more daunting reality: They were all diagnosed with breast cancer within a two-year window, and all three were treated locally at Texas Oncology.

Their collective journey, recently shared in an intimate and candid interview with CURE, serves as a powerful testament to the role of community and the "full circle" nature of sisterhood during a medical crisis.

Different paths, same resilience

While their friendship was a constant, their paths to diagnosis were distinct:

Swartzer was the first to face the news in May 2018. A fitness enthusiast and hairdresser, Tonia discovered a lump after a fall on a family ski trip. Her treatment included a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

An elementary school teacher, Hemphill followed in September 2018. Despite a clear mammogram, she discovered multiple tumors, missed due to dense breast tissue, after feeling a "jelly bean" sized lump. She underwent a double mastectomy and is currently on long-term hormone therapy through 2027.

Lesley, a marketing director and the self-described "life of the party," saw her routine screening delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Diagnosed in July 2020, her surgery revealed lymph node involvement, escalating her case to stage 3C and requiring a comprehensive regimen of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

The power of the "Pink Party"

A central theme of their survivorship was the "Pink Party," a pre-surgery tradition designed to replace fear with fortification. For Swartzer, who lacked local family, the initial party provided a vital sense of belonging. "It definitely made you feel like you were not alone," she recalled.

When Hemphill was diagnosed months later, the friends "paid it forward," hosting a similar celebration at the same house to surround her with the same uplifting energy. Even when the pandemic threatened to isolate Lesley during her 2020 diagnosis, the group adapted, organizing a "drive-through cul-de-sac party." This allowed the community to drop off gifts and encouragement safely, ensuring Angela felt the same "rallying" spirit despite the social distancing mandates.

A support system for the whole family

The women emphasized that these gatherings weren't just for the patients. With children ranging from elementary school to high school, the visibility of community support was crucial for their families. Angela noted that the "positivity and energy" gave their children comfort, showing them that a village was fighting alongside them.

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