Today we’d like to introduce you to Rosa Marie Skinner
Hi Rosa Marie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Rosa Skinner, LPN is a mother, a wife, a professional dancer, and a full time Clinical Review Nurse. Rosa is also currently a full-time nursing student studying for her RN/BSN and expected to graduate 2025. Rosa has also been a contestant in the Miss America Organization for the Miss Delaware 2013 pageant. She was diagnosed with stage 1 ER+, PR+, HER 2- breast cancer at 28 years old. Rosa proceeded to have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and just recently celebrated her one year of survivorship. Rosa continues to use her platform @rosabovecancer to reach the lives of other young women and advocating for young survivors. She expresses the importance of self-awareness, self-advocacy, and self-breast exams to aid in early detection amongst young women. Rosa continues to surTHRIVE through life after cancer and embarks in gratitude each and every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. Cancer affected every aspect of my life. Physically, emotionally, mentally, financially. I was out of work, I could not dance for a while, I was mentally defeated during certain periods of treatment. This was by far the hardest season of my life. Not to mention, 3 months before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I lost my 5-year-old son’s father to heart disease. He died during a heart transplant at only 36 years old. I was fighting for my life after my son just lost one parent. I immediately jumped into autopilot with one goal at hand, SURVIVING. It was never easy, but I just kept GOING. And still do, every day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional dancer as well as a licensed practical nurse currently in school for my RN/BSN. I am known for using my platforms @rosabovecancer as a breast cancer advocate to educate other women on self-advocacy, self-awareness, and the importance of self-breast exams. I enjoy using dance and my creativity among my social media to spread breast cancer awareness. I was denied a mammogram due to my age and told that I just had a “cyst” on my breast, and we would follow up in 6 months. I advocated for myself and pushed to have a biopsy done which later confirmed cancer. My own personal experience is my reason for doing the things that I do as a breast cancer advocate and ambassador I have now been featured across many different companies and organizations as a breast cancer ambassador, panelist, model, and mentor. I was recently featured and interviewed in a breast cancer shoot with Essence that will be released early 2025. I am most proud of being vulnerable and sharing my story with the world, as well as beginning to really use my VOICE to reach other women, especially young women. I am strong in my faith and proud to be a witness of God’s grace.
What matters most to you? Why?
My faith, family, and overall health. Cancer taught me the importance of prioritizing what truly means the most to me and I live everyday now prioritizing these things more than ever. If it does not bring me peace, joy, or any benefit, then I don’t waste my time with it. My faith is what keeps me going every day and reminding myself how good God has been. My family has supported me through so much and they are the reason that I will always keep fighting, especially my son and my husband. These two keep me going! I am now in therapy, I participate in Pilates weekly, and I do my best to maintain a healthy balanced diet. These are things that I do to prioritize my mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Contact Info:
- Email: rosabovecancer@gmail.com
- Instagram: @rosabovecancer
- Other: Tik Tok- @rosabovecancer
Image Credits
FIGS
The Previvor
GPX Band
