Breast Cancer Survivor: ‘Cancer Picked the Wrong Girl’

In a gallery filled with powerful images and personal stories, one message immediately captures attention: 

"Cancer picked the wrong girl." 

The words appear beside Jade Larrabee's portrait in Moffitt Cancer Center's Portraits of Hope exhibit, a collection of photographs celebrating the courage and resilience of breast cancer survivors. For Larrabee, those words represent far more than a picture. They tell the story of a journey she never expected to take and the determination that carried her through it. 

In 2021, Larrabee was a busy Tampa executive, wife, mother of four and lifelong problem-solver. As vice president of sales for Fanatics, she spent much of her time traveling, leading teams and balancing a demanding career with family life. Cancer was nowhere on her list of concerns. 

That changed during a routine executive physical at a clinic in Jacksonville. Although she had no symptoms, a mammogram raised immediate concerns and led to a same-day biopsy. Even before receiving the official diagnosis, Larrabee sensed what was coming. 

A Family United 

When the results confirmed stage 3 ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, the reality of the situation was overwhelming. Larrabee’s first call was to her husband, John, whose unwavering confidence immediately shifted the family's focus from fear to fighting forward. 

Seeing her picture displayed in the 2026 Portraits of Hope at Moffitt reminds Jade Larrabee of how far she has come.

Together, they shared the news with their children during a family meeting that Larrabee still remembers as one of the hardest moments of her life. There were tears, silence and uncertainty, but there was also strength. Throughout treatment, her family became a constant source of encouragement, standing beside her every step of the way. 

When Cancer Became Real 

After she was referred to Moffitt Cancer Center, Larrabee began an intensive course of treatment that included chemotherapy, radiation, a double mastectomy, reconstruction surgery and lymphedema surgery. Like many patients, she discovered that cancer affects far more than the body. It changes routines, priorities and perspectives. 

One moment in particular marked a turning point. After Larrabee’s first chemotherapy treatment, her hair began falling out. What had once been a diagnosis on paper suddenly became real. It was a stark reminder that the road ahead would be difficult and that healing would require enduring some of the toughest days of her life. 

Extraordinary Care During Difficult Days 

Larrabee remembers feeling supported from the moment she arrived at Moffitt. During chemotherapy treatments, she found comfort not only in the expertise of her medical team but in the compassion they showed every day. She recalls the kindness, respect and encouragement that greeted her at every visit, especially during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic when healthcare workers continued showing up for patients despite their own fears and challenges. 

Among the many people who made an impact was her nurse, Danielle Flandreau, whose support helped Larrabee feel less like a patient and more like a person. It is a reflection of what she remembers most vividly about her experience at Moffitt — not just the treatment she received, but the people who walked alongside her through it. 

Changing Perspective  

Today, Larrabee is back to doing the things she loves. She spends time boating around Dunedin with her husband, walking the causeway, reconnecting with golf and working to rebuild her strength. Most importantly, she cherishes time with her family, including her grandson Teddy and a growing circle of loved ones that reminds her daily of what matters most. 

Cancer did not change Larrabee’s ambition, independence or love of life. What it changed was her perspective. She approaches each day with greater intention, placing less value on the distractions and stresses that once seemed important and more value on experiences, relationships and moments that create lasting memories. Survivorship has given her a deeper appreciation for the ordinary days that once felt routine. 

Every year, breast cancer patients' photographs and stories are displayed at the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Outpatient Center at McKinley Campus. Portraits of Hope celebrates survivorship and aims to inspire patients still in treatment.  

Participating in Portraits of Hope offered an opportunity to reflect on that transformation. Seeing her portrait displayed among other survivors was a celebration not only of how far she had come, but of the care, perseverance and support that helped make that journey possible. 

The phrase “cancer picked the wrong girl” featured in her portrait originated from a sign created by a friend's daughter during treatment. What began as a gesture of encouragement soon became a personal rallying cry, a reminder to remain strong and keep moving forward no matter how difficult the path became. 

Today, Larrabee hopes others who see her portrait take that same message with them. 

Cancer may bring fear, uncertainty and hardship, but it does not get to write the ending. 

For Larrabee, the lesson is simple: Never give up, never stop fighting and never lose sight of hope. Because sometimes, cancer picks the wrong girl.