“INSIEME”
Kristina Burke
Philadelphia, PA
Social Media: @kristinaburke; @TAGTimeHappy Hour
Kristina is both a breast cancer survivor and a caregiver to her husband Jim (a survivor)
Twist on Cancer: I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in October of 2019, just after working on The Brushes Cancer event for Jenna. A year later, in August of 2020, my husband was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.
After learning about my husband’s diagnosis, I started a fundraiser for research projects that will benefit patients like him living with EGFR lung cancer. I used my contacts in the Philadelphia dining scene and my social media savvy to propel a two-month fundraiser that brought together the public and our hospitality colleagues. We raised over $100k for two research projects for LUNGevity & EGFR resisters, which are now fully funded for 2021.
Jim Burke
Philadelphia, PA
Social Media: @kristinaburke; @TAGTimeHappy Hour
Lung Cancer Survivor
We both believe (and have found from experience) that the more open you are and the more you share your story, resources and experience, the more the universe finds a way to give back to you. Cancer is a daily grind, it’s a constant and relentless battle that requires fortitude, empathy, awareness and hopefulness. But you make connections with people along the way that fill you with a hope or a new sense of purpose. You cannot stop finding joy or sparking joy for others. As much as cancer takes from people, it can be the impetus for realizing how fragile life is, which in turn makes you appreciate small moments which can make you feel whole.