Meet Khadijah Carter

Khadijah Carter is a mother and a woman with strong faith. She was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer (Stage 3a) in April 2003 at the age of 28 after noticing a lump in her breast. Seven years later, she learned her cancer had metastasized.

Her diagnosis came as a shock given her young age and healthy lifestyle. As a former lead singer of a funk soul band, Khadijah turned to the arts and her spirituality to help cope with her breast cancer diagnosis by joining art classes, writing songs and joining the choir at her church. She also received a lot of support from her friends, who often accompanied her to her chemotherapy treatments.

Following her diagnosis, Khadijah attended graduate school at Columbia University, where she received her graduate degree in journalism in 2013. Khadijah now works full-time for the New York Police Department and is affiliated with the Young Survival Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of young adults affected by breast cancer. She encourages women with breast cancer to be proactive about their health and to stay hopeful despite the adversity they may face.

Photographed by Steve McCurry and Angelo Meredino

Khadijah Carter is a mother and a woman with strong faith. She was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer (Stage 3a) in April 2003 at the age of 28 after noticing a lump in her breast. Seven years later, she learned her cancer had metastasized.

Her diagnosis came as a shock given her young age and healthy lifestyle. As a former lead singer of a funk soul

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Simple pleasures, like feeling the sand between your toes, can remind you that life doesn't end after an mBC diagnosis.

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Photographer Steve McCurry and Khadijah share their favorite memories from their time together helping tell Khadijah's story as an mBC patient advocate and pillar in her community.

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Khadijah dedicates her life to being a strong role model for her daughter, Deja. This means meeting any challenges that come her way with strength and grace.

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Khadijah's faith is her passion. She expresses herself through song and prayer – leading her church congregation to do the same.

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Advancing mBC research is so important – so future generations may not have to know the devastating realities of an mBC diagnosis.

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Staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an important way to manage the stressors that come with an mBC diagnosis.

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Khadijah unwinds after a long day by walking home across the Brooklyn Bridge.

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Crediting her 'New Yorker' fortitude, Khadijah discusses overcoming life’s obstacles and the importance of sharing her story with others living with mBC.