Battling Cancer, Serving Looks: Artist spreads inspiration and positivity through her hospital gown outfits
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Battling cancer is a long journey that changes the life of a person and the lives of the people around them. The symptoms and the side effects of the treatment cause a lot of changes in the body that affect the person not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
But one artist from Brooklyn was determined not to let cancer change her life.
So during the time she was undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer, Allie Olson started on a treatment of positivity and fun – by modifying her hospital gowns to make them into fashionable garments, which she later called as Radiation Runway.
40-year-old artist Allie Olson shared photos and videos of her Radiation Runway project online as a way of staying positive and inspiring others going through similar treatment. Credit: Allie Olson.
After the incident, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a rare and aggressive type of breast cancer with lower treatment options and a high recurrence rate. Meaning, Allie would be undergoing several treatments for a long period of time.
Throughout the pandemic, Allie went through thirty sessions of radiation, sixteen cycles of chemotherapy treatment, and a lumpectomy (removal of a lump from the breast through surgery).
After each radiation session, which usually takes about 20 minutes per day, four to five days a week, Allie said she was completely drained of energy which stopped her from even putting on her hospital gown. “It was really confusing,” said the 40-year-old artist.
But instead of getting frustrated, she took it as a challenge to bring out her creativity, with a pinch of humour to go along with it.
Thus, Radiation Runway was born.
For Allie, dressing up became an opportunity to get creative and find humour under stressful circumstances. Credit: Allie Olson.
She coined the term “Radiation Runway” in a nod to the popular American fashion series Project Runway.
“I loved thinking about Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn giving me feedback!” said Allie.
In early January, Allie finally completed her treatment and walked her final Radiation Runway walk.
“There aren’t words for how grateful I am to the empathic, intelligent outstanding staff at NYU Langone and Bellevue,” she thanked the hospital staff and the support of the people who have been with her throughout her cancer journey.
“I cry happy tears and move forward knowing they will always be family.”
“Let's keep having fun and laughing. It's what everyone needs the most right now,' she added. “I liked the challenge of using my creativity, but even more, I liked bringing a bit of joy and light into a difficult place and situation.”
According to the current guidelines from the American Cancer Society (ACS), women aged 45 to 54 have a regular risk of breast cancer, hence they should get mammograms annually, with those who have a family history of the disease starting as early as age 45.
Another good way to stay on top of breast cancer screenings is performing self-exams at home, even in the shower. To know more about the practice, check out this video below:
Credit: City of Hope.
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