Richmond transplant Alison Holt-Fuller was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago, and after going through treatment and recovery, decided to become a VBCF Sole Star to not only raise crucial funds to support others facing this disease, using her personal stories – and humor! – to raise over $8,000 for VBCF.
We caught up with Alison to ask her some questions about her Sole Stars campaign and hear her advice for others who want to put on VBCF’s signature pink shoes and become a Sole Star of their own.
Tell us about your cancer journey and what brought you to become a Sole Star.
In March 2024, I heard the words no one ever wants to hear: “You have cancer.”
After a routine mammogram, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. What followed was a whirlwind — surgery in April, 12 weeks of chemotherapy starting in July, and 20 days of radiation after completing chemo in December. Along the way, I lost a part of me, including my hair, eyebrows, eyelashes (turns out they do serve a purpose!), fingerprints (yes, that’s a thing!), and my energy to do the simplest of things.
But here’s what I didn’t lose: hope. I gained new friends, allies, and an entirely new perspective on life. I was surrounded by an incredible oncology team, supportive and loving family and friends, and the unwavering patience and care of my husband. And despite losing my hair and fingerprints, I’m proud to say I didn’t turn to a life of crime!
Today, I’m thrilled to say I’m alive and cancer-free. While my journey continues in “maintenance mode” — with monthly labs, scans every six months, annual bone density checks, and ongoing medications — I’m moving forward with gratitude, strength, and pink shoes.
And by pink shoes, I mean by participating in VBCF’s Sole Stars. I first heard about the great work VBCF does from a pamphlet I received from my surgeon’s office. I ordered a support kit at the beginning of my journey and have followed VBCF through their newsletter ever since. That’s how I heard about the Sole Stars fundraising program.
By participating in Sole Stars, I embarked on another kind of journey — one that raises awareness, funds, and hope for others affected by breast cancer. This cause is deeply personal to me, but it’s also a growing concern for so many.
You use a lot of humor in how you talk about your breast cancer journey – and you are very funny. How has your sense of humor helped you through your diagnosis and recovery?
I think I’ve used humor as a defense mechanism most of my life. I think it is important to know that you can hold joy and pain at the same time. Humor helps me get out of my own head and not sit for too long in sorrow; it also helps explain various aspects of my diagnosis and treatment to friends and family, and is a signal that I’m going to be ok.
You have had a very successful Sole Star campaign. What advice do you have for someone who might want to become a Sole Star?
Take advantage of the pink shoes and button that says, “Ask Me About My Pink Shoes”. I had a lot of fun with the pictures and adding them to my page. They were a reason to keep reaching out to folks to say, “Hey, check out where I’ve been in my pink shoes.” While they are there, maybe they will donate, or maybe they will share it with someone else. Keeps it light and fun. I made a QR code for my fundraising site and kept it on my phone, so if someone asked me about my pink shoes, I could share it without having to get their email or phone number.
My best advice is to use it as a storytelling platform because this is as much about raising funds as it is about education and advocacy.
Can you tell us something about yourself that others might want to know?
I’m not sure I’m very interesting, but I do like to knit and have done a ton of chemo caps in my lifetime, none for me for some reason, lol, and after radiation, I took up banjo lessons!
I definitely have more importance on “me time” and life adventures now, which has been a silver lining through all of this.
Thank you, Alison! You are an inspiration to us all!
Want to become a Sole Star? Register today and receive your Pink Shoes!
