She’s walked in honor of others before—but now, she walks for herself, too 

At 71 years old, Janis D’Andrea has always lived a life filled with purpose—whether it’s her career as a health care professional, cheering from the sidelines at one of her five grandchildren’s many sporting events, or volunteering at the local food pantry with her husband, Frank. But this past year, Janis added a new title to her already full and generous life: breast cancer survivor.

“I never expected to be walking this path myself,” Janis said. “I’ve walked in honor of others before—but now, I walk for me, too.”

Janis’s breast cancer was discovered during a routine mammogram in November 2023. The diagnosis—Invasive Ductal Carcinoma—was a shock. In December, she underwent a partial mastectomy, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. She is currently on a hormone-blocking medication that she’ll take for the next five years to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Janis said that treatment, for the most part, was a “piece of cake,” comparatively speaking.

“I had some side effects, but all I had to do was look around me. You get to see everybody who's dealing with the same kind of thing you are, only some are not doing as well. How can I complain? It brought a lot of perspective. It could've been a lot worse. I just thought I needed to think positively, and I'm a pretty positive person by nature.”

Despite the whirlwind of treatments and emotions, Janis stayed grounded in what has always mattered most: family, faith, and community. Married for nearly 50 years—she and Frank will mark their golden anniversary this coming May—the couple raised two children, Frankie and Nicole, and are now doting grandparents to five energetic grandkids, ages 8 to 12.

“They’re into everything—soccer, ice hockey, lacrosse, football, basketball, even hip-hop dance,” Janis laughed. “Our weekends are full, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Janis and Frank are also longtime volunteers at St. George’s Food Pantry in Guilford, where they pack and deliver food to local families in need. It’s part of a life they’ve built around service—something Janis leaned on heavily during her cancer journey.

“I’ve been a runner for many years, so I knew how to push through, how to train myself mentally,” she said. “But it was the support of my husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, and friends that really carried me.”

That strength inspired her to revisit a cause close to her heart: the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation ‘Walk for a Cure.’ Years ago, Janis walked in support of her sister-in-law, Betty Lou, who had breast cancer. “I was very close to Betty Lou, we lived next-door to each other and watched each other’s kids. She was my bestie.”

Betty Lou “rang the bell” when she was declared cancer-free, but tragically, she died six months later. The cancer had come back. 

“That was devastating for all of us. So I walk for her. I walk for my niece Dorothy, who passed away from inflammatory breast cancer. And I walk for all the others, and Terri Brodeur.” 

In 2024, she walked the Walk as a survivor. 

“Even before my treatment was over, I knew I wanted to do the Walk again,” she said. “It gave me something positive to focus on—and a way to give back.”

As soon as her chemotherapy ended, Janis began training. By the time the event arrived, she was ready.

“The TBBCF Walk is more than just a fundraiser,” she said. “It’s a way to stand together, to support research, and to honor those we’ve lost. For me, it was also about healing.”

At the Walk, she saw her daughter Nicole and granddaughter June. 

“June made a sign. When I saw them both, I cried ugly tears,” she said. “I had no idea that they planned to come, volunteer and appear on the course.”

Now in recovery, Janis says she feels blessed.

“Cancer changed me,” she said. “It taught me how strong I really am—and how important it is to keep showing up for others, the way so many have shown up for me.”

Janis has never once thought, “I am a survivor.”

“I’m just grateful that, thank God, right now I’m OK.”