Hi! I’m Jen Farmer. I live in STL with my husband Ryan and our two kids - Finn, 13, and Nora, 10. I worked in St. Louis morning radio on-air and as a music director for nearly 2 decades, but I recently left to focus on my health. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and am currently a Stage 4 Breast Cancer thriver.

Jen wears the Katalin Mini Dress in Sangria Pink

Laura is a powerhouse as well! I definitely surround myself with strong, inspirational people who lift me up. I am very aware of the amount of time I have left. That reality (and the grief that comes with it) goes hand in hand with the joy I try to experience every day. When faced with my prognosis (the average life expectancy for S4 breast cancer is 5 years and I’ve had it for 4 & ½ years), all the static in my life disappeared in an instant and my priorities became crystal clear - take care of myself, spend as much time with the people I love, and live a life of purpose and meaning.

I work with Pink Ribbon Girls, Pedal the Cause, STL Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Camp Kesem. Looking at these organizations, they are all able to find magic and joy in times of great sorrow and grief. Pink Ribbon Girls provides meals, transportation, cleaning supplies, and peer support to those battling breast and gynecological cancers. Pedal the Cause is a non-profit where 100% of the money raised goes to cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center. Camp Kesem allows kids whose parents have/had cancer to go to camp (for free) and find other friends who understand their situation. I work with Children’s Hospital as well because they, much like Siteman, have always been there for my family.

Everyone has their own struggles, and we each have to ask ourselves what we are going to do with that discomfort? I have been surrounded by so much love during my diagnosis that I feel the need to pay it forward so strongly. It’s incredible what we can accomplish when we come together to lift each other up.

I just want them to know how much they’re loved. Living with cancer isn’t always easy and I remind them that things don’t have to be perfect, but we need to be kind to each other.

We also talk a lot about happiness. As my Dad taught me, it doesn’t matter how much money you make.  If you don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, it’s not worth it. Find something you love and do it to the best of your ability. It was difficult walking away from a job I loved, but my dying wish won’t be that I spent more time at work.

It has to be Lizzo! - “2 Be Loved (Am I Loved)”. My daughter and I have a full-out-dance-party and bust out like fools every time we play it.

Going on a walk with friends or family. Exercise, even if it’s 15 minutes, gives me an energy boost! That, or a cup of tea and a great book!

Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors, and her latest “Carrie Soto is Back” is wonderful. I also really love “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick, and I’m currently working through Gabby Bernstein’s “May Cause Miracles.”

I’ve learned to celebrate each day as a win. Watching the sun rise or set reminds me that I made it to another day, and that’s everything right now. My kids were 3 & 6 the day I was diagnosed. I didn’t know if I’d make it to the next year. I did, and I wish I could go back to my old self and tell her to be gentle on herself. And tell her that I’m still here. When I think about that, I think that’s my future self reminding me to keep going.

Jen's kids, Finn and Nora, the day Jen was diagnosed