For Chrissie, movement is more than just a way to stay active—it’s a lifeline. A former classical dancer, she now dedicates her time to teaching dance and exercise classes for seniors and individuals dealing with injuries, chronic illnesses, and life-changing diagnoses like cancer. Her classes, held at a Pittsburgh community center, offer more than just physical activity; they provide a space for healing, laughter, and belonging.

“I work with a lot of seniors who might otherwise sit at home all day, feeling isolated,” Chrissie explains. “Many of them have had joint replacements, heart disease, COPD, or cancer. Dance gives them a reason to move, to smile, and to feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves.”

This sense of community has been a crucial pillar for Chrissie as she navigates her own health struggles. Over the years, she has battled lupus, undergone multiple joint replacements, suffered a stroke, and faced the reality of a pacemaker. But her most significant challenge came when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I found out during a breast reduction surgery,” Chrissie recalls. “I had been dealing with kidney failure, and the medications had caused weight gain and pain. The surgery was meant to relieve that, but instead, it revealed something far more serious.”

Hearing the words “you have cancer” is life-altering. For Chrissie, the weight of the diagnosis was compounded by her concerns for her son. “I didn’t want him to know right away. I wasn’t sure what stage I was in or what would happen. I had to walk out of that doctor’s office with a smile, even though I was terrified inside.”

Due to her lupus, traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation were risky. The best option, doctors advised, was a bilateral mastectomy. Chrissie took the news in stride, prioritizing survival over self-image. “It’s better to live without them than to die with them,” she says. But the emotional toll was significant. “A lot of women struggle with what they will look like after a mastectomy, whether their husbands will still love them, whether they’ll feel like themselves again.”

Chrissie’s journey was complicated by post-surgery complications, infections, and multiple reconstructive attempts. But through it all, she never lost her sense of humor. “When I first looked down after surgery, I told my doctor, ‘Oh my gosh, I can finally see my feet!’” she laughs. “You have to find a way to stay positive.”

Beyond her own battle, Chrissie has become a source of strength for others. She listens to cancer patients share their fears, their anger, and their grief. “I don’t tell them how to feel. I just listen. And I remind them: they are still here.”

Her own experience with cancer is deeply intertwined with her family’s history. Her mother, father, and brother all faced cancer. Watching their resilience shaped her own response to illness. “My parents were strong, positive people. They taught me that when life knocks you down, you get back up.”

Chrissie continues to teach and inspire, using her own journey to help others reclaim movement in their lives. Whether it’s a cancer survivor struggling with fatigue, a senior recovering from surgery, or someone simply seeking connection, her classes are a reminder that life, even with its struggles, is worth living to the fullest.

“Yes, I have cancer. Yes, I’ve been through a lot. But I’m still here. And as long as I am, I’m going to keep moving.”