Jennifer Njathi had always been diligent about her health care, but COVID-19 delayed her milestone 40th birthday mammogram from 2022 to early 2023. When the call came for additional screening, she wasn't worried — she'd heard it was common for first-time mammograms.
"I literally thought nothing of it because I had heard from lots of people that there's no baseline, they call you back for more images," Njathi recalled. But when the second screening focused on just one side and her lymph nodes, reality began to set in.
The March 2023 biopsy confirmed what no one wants to hear: breast cancer. Njathi had a triple-positive, stage 2A diagnosis — cancer in her right breast and lymph nodes.
Finding the Right Care Team
For Njathi, there was never a question about where to seek treatment. Her father, a physician at City of Hope for more than 25 years, had dedicated his career to helping cancer patients. Now, his daughter would benefit from that same expertise.
“It was the best and worst of times. My daughter Jennifer was newly diagnosed with cancer, while my mother—Jennifer’s grandmother—was dying of recurrent breast cancer,” said Lawrence Wagman, M.D., Surgical Oncologist, City of Hope Upland and Regional Medical Director, City of Hope Inland Empire. “At the same time, I was navigating the roles of father, husband, and son. What gave me strength was knowing I could find the best care for Jennifer. I rarely use the word ‘best,’ but in this case, it fits. The physicians—Dr. Paz, Dr. Yeon, and Dr. Agko—at City of Hope delivered exceptional care, allowing me to show up for my family in every way that was needed.”
Dr. Wagman also shared that he got to spend time together with Jennifer going to the chemotherapy sessions at the City of Hope South Pasadena.
Her medical team became an extension of her family. Dr. Paz, her breast surgeon, was a family friend, present for some of the most important moments in her life. "He was at my bat mitzvah. He was at my wedding. He did my mastectomy," she said with a mix of emotion and gratitude.
Njathi's treatment plan was comprehensive: six rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, 25 rounds of radiation and 15 rounds of immunotherapy. The process stretched over 16 months, but Njathi approached it with determination.
"It felt really, really overwhelming," she admits about that first appointment when her oncologist outlined the treatment plan. "But I remember knowing that if you do these hard things, you're going to be fine. My prognosis was always good. I have two young kids, I have a lot to live for."
Throughout treatment, Njathi maintained as much normalcy as possible, working from home and taking time off only during the toughest weeks. Having young children also motivated her to keep pushing forward.
One of the most profound aspects of Njathi's journey was discovering how powerfully her community rallied around her. Friends organized meal trains, helped with childcare and offered support in countless ways.
"I did find that in the process of having breast cancer, just how amazingly your community shows up for you," Njathi reflected. "Friends from near and wide sent me letters and texts."
Her advice to others facing similar challenges is clear: "You should definitely rely on your community and don't feel guilty about it. Asking other people for help is an act of service because people like to help other people."
Njathi's journey taught her valuable lessons she now shares with others.
Be specific about your needs: Instead of general offers to help, specific requests like "I need someone to watch my kids on Saturday" make it easier for people to assist.
Trust your medical team: Rather than over-researching, Njathi found peace in trusting her carefully chosen medical professionals while staying open to practical tips from nurses and other patients.
Prepare for emotional attachments: That special jacket or bag you use for treatments? "Keep in mind that you might not ever want to look at it again," Njathi advised.
Moving Forward with Hope
On June 19, surrounded by family both in person and via FaceTime, Njathi rang the bell marking the end of her treatment. Her parents, husband, mother-in-law visiting from Kenya and sisters all celebrated this monumental achievement.
Now more than a year post-treatment, Njathi continues to navigate the emotional aspects of survivorship. February — when her journey began — still brings difficult feelings, but she's building new associations with that month.
"Your body and your brain are seasonal and cyclical," she explained, sharing wisdom from her therapist. "Hopefully time heals those things and you start making lots of other associations."
Through her synagogue's breast cancer awareness activities, Njathi found another unexpected gift: a community of fellow survivors. What started as a pink challah-baking event led to a monthly gathering of six women who share experiences, snacks and friendship.
"Now I just have this new community that I wouldn't have had and these friends that I wouldn't have had, who I like as people aside from the cancer of it all," she said.
Njathi's story resonates particularly with younger women, as breast cancer rates continue to rise in women under 50. Her experience underscores the importance of staying current with mammograms and trusting your instincts about your health.
"I think you find a lot of strength that maybe you don't even know that you have," Njathi said. "I've done this before. I've spent a year not feeling like myself and then I've gotten back to the gym and become myself again. I know I can do this."
Today, Njathi celebrates each milestone — including her recent clear MRI — and continues to find strength in the community that supported her through her darkest days. Her father continues his work at City of Hope, now with an even deeper understanding of what it means to be on both sides of cancer care.
For Njathi, the message is clear: with the right medical team, strong community support and inner resilience, it's possible not just to survive cancer, but to find unexpected gifts along the way.