Theresa Lana
Contributing Author
Theresa Lana is a born-and-raised New Yorker, a St. John’s University graduate, successful businesswoman, and proud 20-year-and-counting breast cancer survivor.
For the past decade, she has led the T-Birds, one of Komen Greater NYC’s top community fundraising teams. Theresa and her team have raised close to $1 million for breast cancer awareness and support in New York City and South Florida. She has served as a community ambassador through Komen NYC and the Maimonides Breast Center, volunteered at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, appeared on CBS, and participated as an NBA panel guest speaker.
Fifteen years after walking in Maimonides’ first Pink Runway fundraiser, Theresa will return to the runway this October for its 15th anniversary gala at the Brooklyn Museum. The full-circle event will be hosted by her surgeon and friend, Dr. Pat Borgen.
In 2011, Theresa created a pictorial book showing the stages of breast cancer treatment and reminding survivors that they remain desirable, sensual, and beautiful. She later trademarked Photography for the Cure, with proceeds donated to Komen.
“If I can change the fate of one woman, empower her and make her feel she is not alone emotionally or physically, then my diagnosis is not in vain.”
