MEET ALEX

Survivor since 2004

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Louisiana native Alex Cooper was no stranger to the word cancer. Her beloved brother was only 23 years old when he died of brain cancer, and Alex’s maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in her late 80s. Still, at the young age of 38, this beautiful, vibrant mother of three was stunned when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

There was no lump, no warning signs, and no reason to suspect a problem. At age 35, Alex had a baseline mammogram and wasn’t due for another one until her 40th birthday. However, during a routine annual exam in January 2003, Alex felt compelled to ask her physician for a mammogram. One week later, she went back for a second mammogram and then for a series of appointments, which led to her breast cancer diagnosis—Grade 2, infiltrating ductal carcinoma in her right breast. Alex’s treatment involved a sentinel lymph node biopsy, a lumpectomy and seven weeks of radiation therapy followed by five years of taking the drugs Tamoxifen® and Lupron®.

Now, Alex is a healthy and strong ten-year survivor. She assists the Vera Bradley Foundation as a volunteer and her family supports the Foundation financially. Alex's glowing smile is a great reminder of the importance of our work!