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ABOUT
PINKFLUENCE POWER
PINKfluence Power was born from an instant connection—two survivors meeting by chance, recognizing each other’s strength and realizing their stories were meant to collide. A mid-flight hug sparked what became the beginning of something bigger: a friendship built on courage, hope and a shared calling to make a difference.
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That spark grew into a movement.
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PINKfluence Power exists to remind every fighter, survivor and supporter that there is strength in numbers. One story can inspire hope. Many stories can change lives.
✨ Every tee, hoodie and accessory fuels donations made to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Seattle which supports lifesaving research, treatment and patient programs.
✨ Every voice and hug shared makes someone feel less alone.
✨ Every step forward proves that awareness, love and community create lasting impact.
Together, we are more than a cause. We are PINKfluence Power!
Angela’s Story 💕
Breast cancer has touched every corner of my life. Twenty years ago, I was the caregiver for my grandmother during her final battle with the disease. Because of her, I grew up knowing the importance of self-exams and early detection.
My grandmother was Jewish, and because of her family history with breast cancer, doctors always assumed that’s where my BRCA1 mutation came from. But that wasn’t the case.
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In April 2019, I had a clear mammogram. By July, I felt a lump. In August, I had it checked and biopsied. The day after Labor Day—September 6, 2019—I heard the words no one wants to hear: “You have breast cancer.”
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Further testing revealed invasive breast cancer that had already spread to my lymph nodes. About a week later, genetic testing confirmed I carried the BRCA1 mutation, which ultimately determined how my treatment would be handled—even with early detection.
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On October 23, 2019, I underwent a double mastectomy. Chemotherapy began on December 5, followed by 16 total rounds of chemo, 33 rounds of radiation, a full hysterectomy, and multiple reconstructive surgeries. The journey was grueling and relentless, but it gave me more than scars—it gave me purpose.
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For years, I believed the gene came from my grandmother. But in August 2023, I learned the truth: my BRCA1 mutation came from my grandfather, Charlie “The Brow” DiGiovanna, a Brooklyn Dodgers legend who passed away at only 28 years old when my mom was just six. When we lost him in 1958, we also lost connection to his side of the family—and for decades, we knew nothing about them.
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That changed when I started searching. I discovered Charlie’s sister, Cordelia, who passed away in 2009 from lung cancer. She had three children of her own (along with six stepchildren from her husband). One of those three children, her daughter Marie, is also a breast cancer survivor. She battled the disease in 2011—and, like me, carries the BRCA1 mutation.
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I was right to search.
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Finding Cordelia’s family gave me more than medical answers—it gave me a gift I wasn’t prepared for: a connection to a family legacy I never knew, and a reminder that survivorship is not just about surviving the disease, but about uncovering the threads of who we are.
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Cancer gave me scars, but it also gave me a story, a mission, and a family I never expected. And that gift is nothing short of amazing.
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I created The Angela Motley Effect to inspire others to listen to their bodies, fight for answers, and never feel alone. Sharing my story became a way to give back the hope that once carried me.
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And then, in October 2024, I walked past a woman in a Boob-A-Palooza hoodie. I leaned in and said, “I love your shirt—I’m a survivor too.” That moment changed everything.
Karen’s Story 💖
In May 2023, my life changed with a diagnosis of triple-positive breast cancer—a type that is highly aggressive but treatable. I felt perfectly healthy with no symptoms, but a routine mammogram revealed a small lump that had already reached a lymph node.
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Within weeks, I was immersed in surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation. Some days I felt strong, other days fear and exhaustion nearly consumed me. Even with excellent doctors and a clear treatment plan, the journey was overwhelming—long, painful, and emotionally draining.
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But I wasn’t alone. Family, friends, and fellow survivors surrounded me, lifting me up when I needed it most. That support gave me strength, but it also made me realize not everyone has the same network. That’s when I joined the American Cancer Society’s Event Leadership Team for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Seattle.
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I found my purpose: to advocate for patients, to amplify the message that early detection saves lives, and to raise funds for research that will lead us to a cure. Today, I walk for myself, for those still fighting, and for those we’ve lost—with all my heart believing that one day, breast cancer will be a thing of the past.
