In 2008, Ilyse attended a CanCan party and began performing monthly self- exams. Three years later, at age 41, despite having no family history, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued to work full time at Microsoft, raise three children, and run a half marathon while undergoing a unilateral mastectomy, six months of chemotherapy and three reconstructive surgeries. She credits her current good health to early detection, and wants to educate other women so that they can have the opportunity for the same successful outcome.