Meet Monica Hill, 2018 Eliza J. Adams Thriver of the Year Awardee
Monica Hill accepts the Eliza J. Adams Thriver of the Year Award at the 28th Annual Race for the Cure.
One Race, one mission: No one should die from breast cancer. Komen Greater NYC’s annual Race for the Cure is an opportunity to celebrate the Komen Community and the many wonderful individuals who contribute their unique voices and talents to our mission.
WATCH: Vanessa Murdock of CBS2 kicks off Race for the Cure with Monica Hill, Thriver of the Year
Monica was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer on July 17, 2017 at the age of 33. Her first thought was of her two-year-old daughter who needs her mommy. And what about her husband, Aaron, and the second baby they had hoped to have? And then her thoughts turned to herself, “how am I going to live?” Monica decided she would continue living the life she loved, no matter how much time she had left.
She immersed herself in in the MBC community and began advocating for herself and metastatic patients everywhere. Monica LOVES these eye opening and rewarding experiences. There is innovative research being done, but there is still so much unknown about this disease. She believes wholeheartedly the more the patient's voice is heard and represented, the better the research and applications of the research will be. Monica was recently a patient advocate representative at the 17th Biennial Congress of the Metastasis Research Society and looks forward to making her voice heard at future conferences.
Her thoughts for the Komen community? “While I didn’t know Eliza Adams personally, we all benefit from her legacy and I am honored to walk in her footsteps. I hope to be as beneficial to future MBC patients as Eliza was.” Monica is honored to receive the 2018 Thriver of the Year Award and will continue to do what she can to change the trajectory of this disease.
Adam Schmeltz, Global President at Pfizer Oncology, presented the award to Monica at the Race. Andy noted that Pfizer is proud to support this award because it represents the hard work and determination required to inspire and advocate for others. He further noted’ “Pfizer has come to understand and deeply appreciate the unique needs of people living with metastatic breast cancer, and what it takes to make a difference within this community. We believe that by putting those living with cancer at the center of everything we do, we can continue to change the trajectory of this disease and make a difference in these individuals’ lives.”
Andy Schmeltz, Global President at Pfizer Oncology, presents the 2018 Thriver of the Year Award to Monica Hill.
Monica is truly an inspiration to the entire Komen Community. Her personal mantra, “Be bold and behold,” reminds us that no matter what you are going through, you can still move forward with courage, strength, faith and love. Monica believes, “You can face your fears and whenever possible, choose to see the beauty before you.” Words to live by...
After her diagnosis, Monica’s friends, family and colleagues showed their unwavering support by forming Team Monica.
Special thank you to Candace Hill and Raffaella Riotto for contributing their pictures and videos from Race for the Cure on September 9th, 2018!