05/30/2026
🩷Gala 2026:
Good evening. My name is Dr. McKenzie Million. Thank you all for being here, It is my honor to be standing here speaking to you tonight. I am a family medicine resident and breast cancer survivor. I moved to Roanoke in June of 2024. On June 17 th I started my medical residency. That same day, at the age of 26, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. This journey has brought unimaginable amounts of pain, joy, heartache, strength, and community.
To better express the complex emotions of my experience I’ve written a story to share with you all tonight. A story of two young women.
One named Holly
the other McKenzie
One was born in Roanoke, Virginia
the other moved here from Texas
One wanted to be a lawyer
the other a doctor
They both accomplished those dreams
One was diagnosed at 31
the other at 26
Both with stage 3 breast cancer
Both young in their adulthood
One carried the BRCA 1 gene, unbeknownst to her
the other carried the BRCA 2 gene of which she was aware
Both made them high risk to develop breast cancer
One was HR - HER 2 +
the other HR +, inflammatory breast cancer
Both variants rare
Both extremely dangerous
One chose to keep her battle to herself
the other chose to share hers with the world
Both continued to work through treatment.
One got through her journey with Taylor Swift songs, Disney marathons, and Philadelphia Eagles wins
the other got through her journey with drives up the Blue Ridge, arts and crafts butttttt unfortunately she was born a Cowboys fan
Both looked out for one another
Together they experienced the hardships of chemotherapy, double mastectomy, and radiation
One chose breast reconstruction
the other chose flat closure
Both relished in wearing pink to treatments
One finished treatment in November
the other finished in March
Both were cancer survivors in 2025
One celebrated with trips and football games
the other celebrated by adopting two cats and going back to residency full time
Both were living life to the fullest in their own unique way
In January of 2026, one got sick
the other was working the night shift
Both were at Roanoke Memorial Hospital
but they didn’t cross paths
On February 21st 2026, one went to heaven
the other was left here on Earth
The one who fought so valiantly and never let cancer slow her down was now gone. Taken from the friends and family who loved her so dearly.
The other was left to mourn the loss of a person who had such a big impact on her life and cancer journey.
Now, one is standing before our holy father
the other is standing before you all today
But there was a third young woman .
One I didn’t tell you about.
Her name was Lishy.
And like Holly, she left us far too soon
She used her life and her story to help countless young adults facing their own cancer diagnoses
Including Holly, including McKenzie
Lishy brought friends like Holly and McKenzie together
And supported them in their greatest time of need.
Lishy has been a friend and guide to so many young adults who have felt lost, alone, confused, and scared just as Holly and McKenzie were
I will always be grateful that Lishy was a helping hand during my time of need.
I will always be grateful that Lishy brought Holly and I together and has surrounded me with a group of young adults who share my struggles
And now, once again, Lishy is being a guide as she is meeting my friend Holly and showing her the ropes in her new home upstairs
And for that, once again I have to say, thank you for looking out for us Lishy.
So I guess I lied. This isn’t a story about two young women. It’s a story about three.
And in fact that isn’t true either. It’s a story about many more young men and women who have been affected by cancer early in their adulthood.
It’s about so many families who have lost their loved ones too soon.
It’s about strength and resilience and the power of community.
I thank you for being here tonight to honor Lishy, Holly, myself, and the countless others who have been or will begin this journey.
Thank you for your time, your support, your kindness, and your generosity.
