10/24/2025
When Kaela was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 28 years old, her life was on the brink of major milestones. She was only weeks away from graduating from nursing school and had recently married the love of her life. What should have been a season of joy quickly became one filled with uncertainty.
Kaela already understood what it meant to face cancer. As a child, she was treated for Wilms Tumor through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Years later, that same treatment would increase her risk of developing breast cancer. When she and her husband began trying to start a family, Kaela scheduled a routine physical and breast exam. That visit changed everything.
Her doctor discovered a lump, and Kaela was diagnosed with breast cancer. Given her medical history and risk factors, she made the courageous decision to undergo bilateral mastectomies. Her path forward included multiple surgeries, a failed reconstruction and months of physical therapy. In the end, her strength and decisiveness proved lifesaving.
After some time, Kaela and her husband later welcomed their daughter through IVF. Today, their little girl is almost six and full of life, a daily reminder of everything her mother fought so hard to protect.
Kaela’s story came full circle when she joined Aurora Health Care in 2022 as an Oncology Nurse Navigator. Drawing from her own experience, she now guides patients through the emotional and physical challenges of cancer treatment and recovery. She also helped develop Aurora’s Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program, which bridges the gap between pediatric and adult care. The program supports young adults as they navigate fertility preservation, career goals and life after cancer.
Recently, Kaela attended Aurora’s female cancer survivorship retreat, Team Phoenix, where she connected deeply with other survivors and found new ways to heal. “For a long time, I didn’t realize how isolating survivorship could be,” she shares. “Stepping outside my comfort zone and meeting others who understand has been transformative.”
Now, both as a survivor and as a member of the Aurora team, Kaela finds profound meaning in her work. “I’ve never felt more aligned with my purpose,” she says. “Aurora gave me the opportunity to use my personal experience to help others find hope, healing, and strength.”
For Kaela, healing didn’t end when treatment was done. It continues every day — through her work, her family and the lives she touches.
We’re deeply grateful for Kaela’s dedication, resilience, and compassion. Her story is a powerful reminder of what it means to turn hardship into purpose, and we’re honored to support her as she continues to inspire others. 💗
Click the link to read more about Kaela’s story and her support for expanding access to breast cancer screenings in Wisconsin: https://bit.ly/4o3aWfh