Remembering Tarah Harvey

Tarah Harvey was a mother, wife, daughter and business professional, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in October 2016 at the age of 32. She lived in Little Elm, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, with her husband Sam and two young children, Hannah and Braxton.

Tarah was diagnosed with de novo mBC, after noticing a bump on her breast while nursing her then eight-month-old son. De novo mBC means the breast cancer is metastatic at initial diagnosis. In the U.S., approximately six percent of women are diagnosed with de novo mBC.

Many of Tarah's family members, including her father, were diagnosed and sadly passed away from cancer. After Tarah was diagnosed with mBC at a young age, her doctors recommended that she receive genetic testing to determine if her breast cancer was caused by an inherited genetic mutation. She tested positive for the BRCA2 and CHEK2 mutations. After receiving her genetic test result, Tarah learned that understanding her hereditary status can help inform treatment decisions. It can also help her children to one day take proactive steps to managing their potential risk for being diagnosed with cancer.

Tarah always kept a positive outlook and stayed motivated by setting personal goals, like taking her daughter to her first day of kindergarten – which she did! Tarah also believed in the importance of sharing her story to help others affected by mBC know they're not alone and that there is a community of people who are incredibly supportive and want to help.

Sadly, on October 19, 2019, Tarah Harvey passed away from mBC at the age of 35.

Photographed by Melissa Lyttle

Tarah Harvey was a mother, wife, daughter and business professional, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in October 2016 at the age of 32. She lived in Little Elm, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, with her husband Sam and two young children, Hannah and Braxton.

Tarah was diagnosed with de novo mBC, after noticing a bump on her breast while nursing her then then eight-month-old son. De novo

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After her mBC diagnosis, Tarah set a very important and personal goal for herself – to live long enough to take her daughter, Hannah, to her first day of Kindergarten. Not only did she accomplish this goal, but she also got to take Hannah to her first day of first grade as well.

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Someday, Tarah’s children – Hannah and Braxton – will read about her story.

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Tarah set a path for her children, Hannah and Braxton, to help them walk through life with the same strength and ambition that she did.

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After an mBC diagnosis, small things, like bath time, can become a big deal. Tarah knew this and did her best to make each moment special.

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Tarah cherished every moment – no matter how big or small.

 

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Tarah's husband, Sam, will always remember that bright smile that even mBC couldn't dim.

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Because of Tarah’s family history and her diagnosis with mBC at such a young age, her doctors recommended that she receive genetic testing to determine if she had an inherited genetic mutation. After receiving her genetic test results, Tarah met with a genetic counselor to review them. With specialized training in medical genetics and counseling, genetic counselors play a unique and critical role. This includes helping to determine which genetic test is right for a particular patient, reviewing genetic test results and supporting patients in navigating the implications of that information.

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There was nothing Tarah loved more than soaking up the sun with her family.

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Being a mom with mBC isn't easy, but Tarah believed that everything eventually swings into place.

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These are the moments we will remember. Tarah was more than a woman living with mBC. She was a loving mother, wife and friend.

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We will always remember Tarah as she was; loving, caring and always happy.

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The decision to work while in treatment is different for everyone. Tarah decided to continue working after her mBC diagnosis and had the full support of her company.

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The love of a mother never dies. Their hearts will forever hold her in their memories.

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Tarah always made sure to feed her children’s curiosities. But what do you say when their curiosities are met with difficult realities? Tarah always did her best to stay true and honest with her children.

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Before her passing, Tarah, her mom, husband and best friend describe how they felt after she was diagnosed with mBC.