Breastie Friends Forever: Meet Caryn & Tammy—Our Newest Ambassadors and Lemonistas
Tammy (left) Caryn (right)
We’re thrilled to welcome two incredible women to our Lemonista and Ambassador family: Caryn and Tammy— childhood best friends turned breast cancer advocates who are using their shared journey to educate and empower others.
Caryn and Tammy’s story begins in Staten Island, NY, where they met in the second grade and became instant besties. From elementary school to high school graduation, they were inseparable—growing up just around the corner from one another, supporting each other through every stage of life. That bond only deepened when, in their 40s, they both faced the unthinkable: a breast cancer diagnosis within a year of each other.
In 2017 and 2018, at ages 43 and 45 respectively, Caryn and Tammy were each diagnosed with breast cancer. Thanks to early detection, both are now proudly cancer free—and even more committed to helping others recognize the importance of catching cancer early.
Meet Caryn 💪🏽
Caryn is a board-certified pediatric dentist and partner at New York Kids Dentistry and Orthodontics in Manhattan. A two-time marathon runner (NYC and Chicago!) currently training for her third, Caryn is a powerhouse of strength and spirit. She loves spending time with friends and family, cheering on the Yankees and her son on the baseball field, and relaxing with her dog. One of her proudest achievements? Celebrating five years cancer free in 2022—and raising her son with love and resilience.
Meet Tammy ✨
Tammy is an Occupational Therapist who has spent over 25 years serving the Staten Island community. A proud mom to two boys, Tammy enjoys beach days, outdoor adventures, pickleball, and time with her boyfriend. During her own recovery from breast cancer surgery, Tammy became certified in the Pink Ribbon Program as a Breast Cancer Exercise Specialist, helping survivors regain mobility and strength. Now cancer free, Tammy is passionate about giving back and supporting others on their journey.
@BreastieFriendsForever 💖
Tammy (left) Caryn (right)
Together, Caryn and Tammy have launched a heartfelt passion project: @breastiefriendsforever, an online community built on humor, honesty, and compassion. Through shared stories, lived experience, and unwavering sisterhood, their goal is to ensure that no one fights alone. They’re now proud Know Your Lemons ambassadors and Lemonistas, spreading life-saving awareness and tools for early detection in their community—and beyond.
Their friendship has always been something special, but their bond grew even stronger when they each heard the words no one ever expects to hear...
Tammy and Caryn’s Diagnosis Story
Caryn: We've been childhood best friends since we were seven. And ironically, we both had breast cancer. I was diagnosed in 2017 on my annual mammogram. I didn’t feel a lump—I didn’t feel anything. I got the diagnosis of DCIS when I was 43 and proceeded to have a lumpectomy, followed by a bilateral mastectomy. I had a revision surgery in 2019 and have had annual appointments with my breast surgeon with no complications and no recurrence, thankfully. And really just on the path to help with living after breast cancer.
Tammy: So, my name is Tammy. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. I actually felt a lump underneath my arm, and then I was sent for testing—mammography and ultrasounds—and then I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction, and thankfully, because of early testing, my breast cancer was caught very, very early. I had the surgery, and I’m doing great. Early detection saves lives—because my breast surgeon said if I had waited a little bit longer, the outcome wouldn’t be what it is today. So I’m very grateful to early detection—as Caryn is as well.
Caryn: We both had breast cancer within a year of each other. We recently were able to start up an online community called Breastie Friends Forever, where we’re really trying to get the word out about early detection and saving lives.
Tammy: And we found Know Your Lemons—we love their mission, we love their app. We keep trying to put it out there about how important it is to do self-exams and how important early detection is. Know Your Lemons is an amazing organization, and we are so grateful to be helping them get the word out.
Caryn: Yeah, I mean, both of our cancers were completely treatable and curable because of the fact that we were so diligent about our self-exams and our mammograms, and had medical teams to help support us through the journey—and we had each other. And so just the support in the community, and from organizations like Know Your Lemons, from each other, and from other breast cancer survivors and thrivers, really spoke to us. And we want to make a difference in the breast cancer community.
Tammy: And now as Breastie Friends Forever, we’re on a mission. Early detection truly saves lives. It really does.
Caryn: Yes, it does! Love ya, bestie! Breastie 💛
