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When Shay Moraga found a lump in her breast at 38, doctors dismissed her concerns: "You're too young for breast cancer." That dismissal led to a delayed diagnosis of aggressive stage three cancer and a grueling treatment journey. But the real challenge came after she was declared cancer-free.
"Everyone celebrates and helps you through treatment," Shay explains. "Then you say 'I'm cancer-free,' and it's like a stop sign—a dead stop." She found herself alone with third-degree burns, physical changes, and the constant fear of recurrence, discovering a critical gap in cancer care: robust support exists during treatment, but little is available for survivors navigating life afterward.
Drawing from her entrepreneurial background (she owned her first home at 23 and built a successful property management business spanning Minnesota and California), Shay partnered with fellow survivor Eileen Alvarez to create Shay's Warriors. Their nonprofit offers fully-funded retreats where cancer survivors find understanding, healing, and community among peers who truly comprehend the psychological aftermath of cancer.
What began as a women's breast cancer retreat has expanded to include programs for male survivors ("Yo Bro, I'm Brave Too"), recognizing that men face unique challenges expressing vulnerability after cancer. Now partnering with the Ritz-Carlton for their signature four-day retreats, Shay's Warriors provides a transformative space where survivors can process their experiences and rediscover themselves.
Shay's story reminds us that sometimes our greatest challenges become our most meaningful contributions. By creating connection for those experiencing the isolation of cancer survivorship, she's turning her personal trauma into healing for countless others. As she puts it, "If I was paid to do this, I would be paid to do this because it's amazing to get somebody's testimonial back and say, 'literally you saved my life.'"
Ready to support this vital work or know someone who could benefit? Visit ShaysWarriors.org to learn about upcoming events or nominate a cancer survivor for their retreat program.