Sometimes the harder you fall, the stronger you rise.

Lauren Clancy.

Obvious beauty. Hidden strength.

Kara Dolce and Lauren Clancy were great friends for many years. They grew up together in a small town in New Jersey, were softball teammates, friends within the same group and always enjoyed make-up, clothes and fashion. The girls drifted after college as some friends do, but one night at a Christmas party in 2012, Kara heard that Lauren had just been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – on the same anniversary of Kara’s  breast cancer diagnosis. She was devastated for Lauren.  Though she hadn’t talked to Lauren in quite some time, she immediately needed to reach out. Kara knew what Lauren was up against and wanted to do what she could to be there for her…to inevitably pass on her strength.

That night, Kara contacted Lauren and their friendship immediately rekindled.

There is no denying that Lauren is a natural beauty. In fact, she has even had her hand in modeling. Let’s face it – she’s gorgeous! But for any woman, going through chemotherapy, surgery and the emotional after-effects of cancer, challenges them to feel strong and beautiful during the most trying time of their life. This was no different for Lauren. Her scars made her angry, scared and upset. Her hair loss was a blow to her confidence.

Kara and Lauren would talk weekly – sometimes daily – to remind Lauren she was strong enough to get through this. That there was light at the end of this tunnel and she was going to come out the other end feeling smarter, stronger and even more beautiful than before. She was a warrior! She was a fighter! And she looked gorgeous doing it. She was truly Fighting Pretty.

Lauren pushed through her treatments and with each passing appointment, she felt herself coming back to life. She was growing as a woman, and at our Fighting Pretty photo-shoot, her light shined through. Her hair was just growing back in, and the short pixie hairdo only accentuated her gorgeous face – here you could focus on her natural beauty.  You could look into her eyes and see her inner strength sparkle.

Currently, Lauren got an amazing new job, has recently modeled for Curves The Book by Victoria Janashvili (out this spring), got her own fabulous apartment in Hoboken, NJ and is living life with power in her veins and hope in heart. Lauren fell hard, but she is stronger than ever before. 

Lauren Clancy is Fighting Pretty.

Photo Credit: William Philbin

Fighting Pretty: A How-To Guide

Let's face it. Cancer sucks. There's no way around that, but one thing to do is set your mind to embracing this thing and doing what you can to make yourself feel good. It might be the hardest time of your life, but it's one that will teach you and show you how strong you are, how amazing you are, and how beautiful you are inside and out.

When founder of Fighting Pretty was going through cancer, she wrote a blog, "Loving Kara" after the foundation her family and friends set up to help her get through treatment. Here are some tips on how Kara was Fighting Pretty back in 2009 that are relevant for all women battling cancer:

One thing Kara did for every chemo appointment was get dressed for treatments as if she were going to work. Whether she'd wear her favorite heels and jewelry, fabulous red lipstick, or a sparkly belt - she always got dressed, and sometimes even dressed up!  Throw on a scarf, put on some lip gloss and you are ready to take on the world. You’ll look great, and more importantly, you’ll feel great when you dress up.  That little boost of confidence can go a long way! 

You have so much on your mind right now, that it's important to weed out the negativity. Please promise your friends at Fighting Pretty that you will avoid cancer-related information on the internet (unless it’s a self-help book or movie) and surround yourself with people who will encourage you and stick by your side through this fight.  Do something that makes you happy! Instead of watching sad, sappy movies, put on Bride Wars, Devil Wears Prada, It's Complicated, whatever! Just surround yourself with positivity. If you're not into movies, get outside for some fresh air, take up knitting or get working on a crossword puzzle. Just be sure to engage in an activity that boosts your spirits and takes your mind off cancer for a while. 

Sometimes walking into the support group can be intimidating, and nerve wracking. Who wants to share their sob story? It's hard! But one of the best things you can do is find people that can talk you through this, especially those who can say, “Been there, done that!” Confiding in others will help you keep a positive perspective, but both positive and negative attitudes are important.  Positive ones will show you how many fellow women have followed this same path and fought through, while negative ones reassure you that your feelings are normal and common.  We have some great resources for you if you can't find a support group close by. Check out:

Breast Friends

Pink Lemonade Project

American Cancer Society

Dr. Shani Fox

"Never underestimate the healing power of listening to your favorite music on full blast while dancing around your house like an idiot." 

Kara Dolce and her mom Maryann were watching a movie one night, and the song "Crazy" came on by Alanis Moorisette (Seal remake). Kara was knee-deep in chemotherapy treatments and they were having a mom/daughter night watching movies and eating popcorn trying not to think about cancer. When this song came on, something struck them both! "You're never gonna survive, unless you get a little CRAZY!" The two of them started laughing, crying, jumping, and hugging! This was their Power Song together! This gave them both strength to keep on fighting this fight! 

Kara had other songs too, and even now, six years out of treatment, there are songs that resonate to always keep Fighting Pretty. So make a playlist on your iPhone and whenever you're feeling a little down, put them on, jump around and dance around your living room like an idiot! 

Here are some great ones:

• "Shine Bright Like a Diamond" Rihanna
• "Can't Hold Us" Macklemore and Ryan
• "Stronger" Kanye West
• "Undeniable" Mat Kearney
• "Roar" Katy Perry
• "Brave" Sara Bareilles
• "Good Life" One Republic

Celebrate everything! Maybe you finished another round of chemo and are that much closer to being done, your hair is coming back, or you just got good results on your PTScan. Anything positive happening during this time is great.  Even if you have a ways to go, remember how far you’ve come. 

And finally, don’t forget that even through all of this, you are still YOU!  Having cancer doesn’t make you just another “cancer patient.” It simply adds character to the wonderful being that is you. Over here at Fighting Pretty we try to remind all of you of this, especially through Pretty Packages. We want you to remember that who you are won’t change throughout the cancer; you’re still beautiful and you’re still you.  

We hope this guide to Fighting Pretty will encourage and inspire you to give all you’ve got to this fight and to do it with style and poise!  Don’t forget that you are strong and you are beautiful.

To request a Pretty Package or make a donation, visit our site at www.fightingpretty.org and be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all things Fighting Pretty!