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.<\/p>\n
At first, it was mild stomach discomfort\u2014something 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.<\/p>\n
One day, during a routine classroom observation, Bianca collapsed from the pain. That moment marked the beginning of a terrifying journey.<\/p>\n
After months of misdiagnoses\u2014ranging from ulcers to GERD\u2014and 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.<\/p>\n
She had stage 4 colon cancer.<\/strong><\/p>\n Just 33 years old at the time, Bianca was stunned. Colon cancer is typically associated with older adults\u2014but Bianca knew firsthand that things were changing. “More young people are getting it,” she said. “That’s why early screening matters.”<\/p>\n 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\u2019t an option. Instead, Bianca began an intense 16-month round of chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy.<\/p>\n Through it all, one thought kept her going:<\/p>\n Her daughter.<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Weekends became unpredictable. Some days, Keilani stayed with her father. Others, she visited Bianca between treatments. \u201cIt was chaotic,\u201d Bianca admitted. \u201cBut we made it work.\u201d<\/p>\n Her mother shielded Keilani from the hardest parts\u2014making sure she never saw Bianca at her weakest. Still, the emotional weight remained. \u201cI don\u2019t want my daughter to grow up without a mom,\u201d Bianca said. \u201cShe\u2019s my reason to keep fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n With the help of her oncologist, Dr. Nicholas DeVito, Bianca found a path forward\u2014even 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.<\/p>\n In March 2025, she stood before a crowd at the Crush Colorectal Cancer 5K <\/em>, sharing her story not just for herself\u2014but for others who might recognize the signs before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n Now, she continues treatment with no end in sight. She lives off donations, kind messages, and the love of strangers who\u2019ve become her extended family.<\/p>\n And every day, she prays.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m walking by faith, not by sight,\u201d she wrote on Instagram. \u201cI believe God will heal me.\u201d<\/p>\n Until then, she fights\u2014not just for herself, but for the little girl who needs her more than ever.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"