Artist, 40, who is battling cancer styles her hospital gowns into fashionable outfits

An artist battling cancer has come up with an inventive way of coping through her radiation treatment – by modifying her hospital gowns to make them into fashionable garments.

Allie Olson, 40, shared photos and videos of her Radiation Runway project online as a way of staying positive and inspiring others going through similar treatment.

The artist, from Brooklyn, New York, first discovered a lump on her breast while in quarantine in May 2020, but after initially being told it was not cancerous, that diagnosis changed in September, after the pain persisted and a surgeon removed a lump of tissue.

Allie was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

An artist (pictured) battling cancer has come up with an inventive way of coping through her radiation treatment – by modifying her hospital gowns to make them into fashionable garments

Allie Olson (pictured), 40, shared photos and videos of her Radiation Runway project online as a way of staying positive and inspiring others going through similar treatment

The artist (pictured), from Brooklyn, New York, first discovered a lump on her breast while in quarantine in May 2020

TNBC is an aggressive form of breast cancer with lower treatment options and a high reoccurrence rate, meaning Allie needed to start treatment as soon as possible.

During the pandemic, Allie, living alone in a Brooklyn apartment, went through 16 cycles of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, and 30 sessions of radiation.

Her radiation sessions started in November 2021, and each session, Allie said, drained her of energy.

Allie (pictured) was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Her radiation sessions started in November 2021, and each session, Allie (pictured) said, drained her of energy

During her first radiation session, Allie had struggled to put a standard hospital gown on – but rather than be frustrated, she decided to see it as a creative challenge.

Allie modified her robe into a more fashionable design, and after a woman in the waiting room laughed and radiation therapists expressed their admiration, Radiation Runway was born – the name a humorous nod to Project Runway.

Between November 2 and January 7, 2022, when Allie completed her treatment, she would modify her gowns, taking photos and videos of the journey.

During her first radiation session, Allie (pictured) had struggled to put a standard hospital gown on – but rather than be frustrated, she decided to see it as a creative challenge

Allie (pictured) modified her robe into a more fashionable design, and after a woman in the waiting room laughed and radiation therapists expressed their admiration, Radiation Runway was born – the name a humorous nod to Project Runway

Allie (pictured) shared these photos and videos on her social media pages along the way, with users from all over the world cheering her on

Allie (pictured) said: ‘Radiation Runway wouldn’t have been possible if the staff weren’t so encouraging. They loved it, and we had the best time making jokes and cracking up’

‘They would video me during my runway walk and look forward to the new style each day. I never thought, “This is weird”; I thought, “This is fun”,’ said Allie (pictured centre)

‘I liked the challenge of using my creativity, but even more, I liked bringing a bit of joy and light into a difficult place and situation,’ said Allie (pictured)

Allie shared these photos and videos on her social media pages along the way, with users from all over the world cheering her on.

She said: ‘Radiation Runway wouldn’t have been possible if the staff weren’t so encouraging. They loved it, and we had the best time making jokes and cracking up.

‘They would video me during my runway walk and look forward to the new style each day. I never thought, “This is weird”; I thought, “This is fun”.

‘Let’s keep having fun and laughing. It’s what everyone needs the most right now,’ she added.

‘I liked the challenge of using my creativity, but even more, I liked bringing a bit of joy and light into a difficult place and situation.

‘Elba and my Radiation Therapists truly feel like family now. I am so grateful for them.’

WHAT IS TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER?

Triple negative breast cancer is a form of the disease that does not have receptors for the hormones oestrogen or progesterone, or the protein HER2.

This makes it trickier to treat due to the tumour not responding to these hormonal or protein therapies.

Triple negative breast cancer makes up around 10-to-20 per cent of all forms of the disease.

It tends to be more aggressive than other breast tumours, with patients having a worse prognosis.

The condition is more common in those under 40 and black women. It is diagnosed via a sample of the cancerous cells.

Symptoms are similar to other forms of breast cancer. These can include:

Lump or thickening in the breast
Change in the size, shape or feel of the breast
Dimpling of the skin
Change in the shape of the nipple
Rash or blood-stained discharge coming from the nipple
Swelling in the armpit

Treatment usually involves surgery, chemo and radiotherapy.

Chemo may be given first to shrink the tumour before a patient goes under the knife. It may also be given after the operation to prevent the disease returning.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk