From Fear to Empowerment: Tracy's BRCA Story & the Birth of BRCAStrong
At just 21 years old, Tracy Milgram received a life-altering diagnosis: she tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation, dramatically increasing her risk for breast and ovarian cancers. With few resources available for young women facing such a heavy decision, Tracy was forced to navigate her path largely on her own. But instead of letting that isolation define her journey, she transformed it into something powerful—founding BRCAStrong to ensure no one else would have to face it alone.
By the age of 32, Tracy had made the incredibly brave decision to undergo a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and a full hysterectomy. “It wasn’t about fear,” she says. “It was about empowerment, prevention, and choosing to live a long, full life for myself and my family.”
Recovery—both physical and emotional—was not easy. Tracy emphasizes that healing takes time and looks different for everyone. “What I didn’t expect was how much the emotional recovery would impact me,” she shares. “Sometimes even more than the physical.” She urges others to lean on support systems, speak openly about their feelings, and remember that it’s okay to have both good days and hard days.
Out of this journey came BRCAStrong, an organization dedicated to educating and supporting women through their own BRCA diagnoses and surgical decisions. Programs like their Pre-Mastectomy Care Package and Post-Mastectomy Support, inspired in part by the late La’Kesha Gordon, provide comfort and guidance for those preparing for and healing from surgery.
“If there’s one thing I want the community to take away from my story,” Tracy says, “it’s this: You are not alone. There is strength in knowledge, support, and action.”
When asked to describe AnaOno in one word, Tracy didn’t hesitate: “Empowering.” Her go-to bra? The Trish—designed with comfort and confidence in mind for women like her who’ve faced breast surgery.
Shop & Support BRCAStrong
Want to support BRCAStrong while shopping with us? Use code BRCAStrong at checkout to receive 15% off your order, and we’ll donate 10% back to BRCAStrong to help continue their mission of empowering women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. It’s a win-win: you shop, save, and support a cause that truly makes a difference.
