Breast Cancer Survivor Kristen Dahlgren Launches Pink Eraser Project to Find Vaccine
In a bold and inspiring move, NBC News correspondent Kristen Dahlgren has announced her departure from the network to launch the Pink Eraser Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a vaccine for breast cancer. This endeavor holds a deeply personal significance for Dahlgren, who bravely shared her own battle with breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2019.
The Pink Eraser Project aims to bring together experts from some of the nation’s leading cancer institutes, including Memorial Sloan-Kettering, MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Cleveland Clinic, UW Medicine’s Cancer Vaccine Institute, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. By uniting these brilliant minds, Dahlgren hopes to accelerate the development of a vaccine that can eradicate breast cancer once and for all.
Reflecting on her decision to embark on this mission, Dahlgren wrote on Today’s website, “If I have learned anything in my decades as a journalist it is that one person really can change the world. Of course, it is much more effective if it becomes a movement with everyone behind it.” With these words, she emphasizes the importance of collective action and the power of unity in achieving groundbreaking advancements.
As a breast cancer survivor herself, Dahlgren intimately understands the challenges and lasting impact of current treatments. She candidly shared, “As a survivor, I know first-hand that current treatments are difficult and have a lasting impact on your body.” The toll of her own journey is evident as she describes the physical limitations she now faces. “I will likely never feel my little girl cuddling into my chest. Lifting my right arm is often restricted and painful. Radiation has left me with lung fibrosis, and the scars cut across my chest and abdomen are constant reminders.”
Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in women under 50, as highlighted by the American Cancer Society. Dahlgren acknowledges the gravity of this statistic, stating, “It’s a club nobody wants to join, but one full of women who are thoughtful and generous even while dealing with their own medical challenges.” It is precisely these women that she aims to unite through the Pink Eraser Project.
The Pink Eraser Project’s mission extends beyond finding a vaccine. Dahlgren envisions building a community of breast cancer survivors who can advocate for clinical trial participation, collaborate with other institutions engaged in breast cancer vaccine research, and partner with the numerous support organizations that have tirelessly championed breast cancer patients and research efforts for years.
Dahlgren’s optimism shines through as she expresses her belief in the imminent breakthroughs that lie ahead. “I know we are closer to a day when those who have the disease — or those at high risk of developing it — could choose a vaccine that instructs their own body to kill the cancer. I believe we’re on the cusp of having technology to make that safe, effective, and affordable for everyone who wants it.”
The potential for vaccines to revolutionize cancer treatment is not unfounded. In 2021, researchers at the Cleveland Clinic announced their phase 1 breast cancer vaccine trial, offering hope for a future where vaccines provide a fighting chance for all. Dahlgren envisions a world where breast cancer is no longer a fatal disease and where the success of the Pink Eraser Project paves the way for vaccines against other types of cancer as well.
Kristen Dahlgren’s decision to leave NBC News and dedicate herself to the Pink Eraser Project is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making a difference. Her personal journey has fueled her determination to find a solution that will spare others from enduring the hardships she has faced. With her infectious passion and the collaboration of esteemed experts, Dahlgren is poised to leave an indelible mark on the fight against breast cancer.
As we eagerly anticipate the progress of the Pink Eraser Project, we are reminded of the words of Kristen Dahlgren herself: “Vaccines could be the way to give everyone a chance at survival. That is what the Pink Eraser Project is all about. It’s a chance to erase breast cancer as a fatal disease and, someday, this could lead to vaccines for other cancers as well.”
Let us join together in supporting Kristen Dahlgren and the Pink Eraser Project as they embark on this noble quest to find a vaccine and change the lives of countless individuals affected by breast cancer. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope to those who need it most.
