Story of Courage: Candace Trent-Kotras | Breast Cancer Survivor Story

Candace Trent-Kotras outdoors in winter hunting gear, holding a firearm after returning to hunting following breast cancer treatment.

There are seasons that test every part of a woman, and then there are women like Candace who show us what it means to keep choosing joy through them all.

At 39 years old, Candace was diagnosed with Stage 2 ductal carcinoma after discovering a bump in her left breast. Three lymph nodes were involved, and her treatment journey included four months of dose-dense chemotherapy, a lumpectomy with reconstructive reduction one week before her 40th birthday and five weeks of daily radiation.

With an estrogen-positive diagnosis, PCOS and additional procedures ahead of her, Candace learned the importance of trusting her body and advocating for the care she needed.

But she also made another choice: she would continue finding reasons to smile.

She got dressed for treatment, wore bright pink lipstick and lifted the spirits of patients and staff around her. Even while fighting for herself, she found a way to encourage others.

Candace during breast cancer treatment, choosing strength, confidence and her signature bright pink lipstick through every step of her journey.

In 2024, Candace returned to the outdoors and to hunting. She was back in the woods for opening day of archery season and later filled her final tags on the last day of late season, a meaningful return to a place and passion she loved.

Now 2½ years into maintenance treatment, Candace continues to receive mammograms showing no recurrence.

Candace, the Ladies in the Outdoors & Dolls and Does Collective community honors your strength, your self-advocacy and the joy you carried into every room.

Welcome back to the woods.

NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE.