Miracle Moments

Here at Boys Town, the lives of children are changed every day, and it's been that way since Father Flanagan started Boys Town more than 100 years ago. We found a unique story, a one life change here at Boys Town that's giving others a second chance at life.

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was nine. I was the oldest of three children, so I kind of took on the mothering role and, as she got sicker and sicker, things got really hard. And then she passed away when I was 14.

My dad left, um, moved away when I was very young, and so I was, after my mom passed away, I was kind of bounced around and then I went to Boys Town. I was just in a hopeless place. Didn't have a strong support system as far as family goes, and I just needed structure and guidance. And Boys Town gave me a family, my family, teachers, the girls that I lived with, my teachers, my coaches.

I still communicate with all of them. I don't know, I think I just was really broken and angry and I don't know, like when I would've gotten over that if I ever would've, you know, I just think Boys Town really helped me, like put life in, into perspective. And when I came here, like I thought my life was the worst thing that had ever happened to anyone else.

And then you did. I did. And then We were trying to reassure her like, it's okay. We've all been here for years. It's fine, it's fine.

And then I saw like what everyone else had like gone through in their lives and I'm like, you know, zoo my own sucks. But also like everyone else has also been through some things and like, look at how great they are doing. And, um, I think we just all build each other up. I think a lot of Boys Town kids experience that where a lotof us are robbed of our childhoods or parts of it. And Boys Town allowed us to just be kids. My family teachers weren't my birth parents, but here they were making it so special and creating traditions for kids that weren't even theirs. Um, and that takes a lot of heart and takes people who truly care. On my 19th birthday, I had genetic testing, um, and I learned that I am BRCA one positive. So I have the same genetic mutation that my mom had that was causal of her breast cancer. Almost by coincidence, she crossed paths with a Boys Town staff member who would help guide her through the uncertain steps ahead.

Kind of crazy because I was like, oh, Brandi and I both have the BRCA one mutation. It puts us at an extreme high risk for both breast and ovarian cancer, um, up to an 87% chance of breast cancer up to a 64% chance of ovarian cancer. And both of our moms died of cancer. And I think of Father Flanagan's miracles in Denise's mind. So I had a preventative mastectomy when I was 2022. My risk went from 87% to less than two. I really believe that prevention has been my cure.

At just 23 years old, and young men pay for their own genetic testing, um, she, I, I can't see her doing anything else. I can only see her doing this to help, to help change the path for other people. Brandy and Denise plan to continue to help others. They're saving lives just like Father Flanagan, but in their own special way. Boys Town is definitely my second chance. Um, without them, I don't know where I would be today.

I was in a place of despair. Um, I didn't have support. I didn't have guidance, and Boys Town gave me all of the tools that I needed, um, to move forward with my life. And Boys Town is still a place that I know I can turn to if I ever need anything where it'll always be like home, right? Always. I love you.