Bianca Harvey was always known for her strength. A former track athlete, personal trainer, and dedicated sixth-grade science teacher in Colonial Heights, Virginia, she lived an active, healthy life. But two years ago, everything changed.
At first, it was mild stomach discomfort—something she assumed was just part of her post-fibroid removal recovery. But soon, the pain became unbearable. Sharp, stabbing cramps left her doubled over in class, forcing her to step outside just to cry in private.
One day, during a routine classroom observation, Bianca collapsed from the pain. That moment marked the beginning of a terrifying journey.
After months of misdiagnoses—ranging from ulcers to GERD—and multiple emergency room visits, doctors finally ordered a CT scan in June 2023. The results shattered her world: there was a tumor in her stomach. The next colonoscopy confirmed the worst.
She had stage 4 colon cancer.
Just 33 years old at the time, Bianca was stunned. Colon cancer is typically associated with older adults—but Bianca knew firsthand that things were changing. “More young people are getting it,” she said. “That’s why early screening matters.”
Her father, also a cancer survivor, encouraged her to seek treatment at Duke Health, where specialists confirmed the disease had spread to her pancreas. Surgery wasn’t an option. Instead, Bianca began an intense 16-month round of chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy.
Through it all, one thought kept her going:
Her daughter.
Keilani, then only seven, became the reason Bianca pushed through each painful treatment. “I told her, ‘Mommy is very sick, but I’m going to be here as much as I can,'” she shared.
The treatments took a heavy toll. Bianca lost weight, lost energy, and eventually, had to stop working altogether. Her ex-partner stepped in to help care for Keilani, while her parents moved across state lines to support her.
Weekends became unpredictable. Some days, Keilani stayed with her father. Others, she visited Bianca between treatments. “It was chaotic,” Bianca admitted. “But we made it work.”
Her mother shielded Keilani from the hardest parts—making sure she never saw Bianca at her weakest. Still, the emotional weight remained. “I don’t want my daughter to grow up without a mom,” Bianca said. “She’s my reason to keep fighting.”
With the help of her oncologist, Dr. Nicholas DeVito, Bianca found a path forward—even if it wasn’t the one she had hoped for. Chemotherapy drained her body, but her spirit remained strong. Her faith deepened. Her voice grew louder in advocacy.
In March 2025, she stood before a crowd at the Crush Colorectal Cancer 5K , sharing her story not just for herself—but for others who might recognize the signs before it’s too late.
Now, she continues treatment with no end in sight. She lives off donations, kind messages, and the love of strangers who’ve become her extended family.
And every day, she prays.
“I’m walking by faith, not by sight,” she wrote on Instagram. “I believe God will heal me.”
Until then, she fights—not just for herself, but for the little girl who needs her more than ever.