“The whole time, I just felt so supported at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. I put all my faith into the caregivers there, and they just took the best care of me.”
When Christine Haraburda felt something unusual in her breast while taking a shower in May 2025, she tried not to panic. She already had a mammogram scheduled, so she simply moved the appointment up. That decision set in motion a year she never expected. One filled with a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, but also, Christine says, an extraordinary amount of support, gratitude and hope.
Christine was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer. Fortunately, it had been caught early and had not spread. For her care, she chose Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, the northern destination for oncology services of RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Christine learned she was eligible for the I-SPY 2 clinical trial, an opportunity to receive less chemotherapy than the standard protocol while remaining closely monitored.
“That was actually huge,” she said.
As part of the trial, she underwent chemotherapy combined with HER2-targeted therapy, which proved extremely effective. She later completed breast surgery with reconstruction, followed by radiation therapy and continued HER2-targeted treatments.
“I made it through, and I beat it,” Christine said. “It’s kind of a miracle.”
It may seem unexpected for someone diagnosed with breast cancer to describe herself as lucky, but Christine uses the word repeatedly when she looks back on her experience. She feels lucky she noticed the lump. Lucky her cancer was caught early. Lucky to have access to a clinical trial. And, above all, lucky for the care and support that surrounded her from diagnosis through her final treatment.
“The whole time, I just felt so supported at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center,” she said. “I put all my faith into the caregivers there, and they just took the best care of me.”
George Raptis, MD, medical oncologist at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, and Director of Oncology Services for the Northern Region, RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) and Rutgers Cancer Institute and nurse Stephanie were among those who immediately helped Christine feel confident in the care ahead.
She found that same compassion throughout every part of her treatment.
“I wanted to just wrap them all up in a ribbon and bring them home with me. They were the greatest gift,” shares Christine.
That support extended to every interaction. Christine remembers the people who greeted her at the front desk, checked her in at the infusion center and cared for her during chemotherapy. For Christine, itwas the consistency of the care throughout the entire experience that mattered. “I just felt so supported through the whole entire thing,” she said.
Outside the hospital, Christine was surrounded by another team, including her husband, family and friends. “I had an insane outpouring of love and support from all of my family and friends,” she said. “I knew I had great people in my life, but, man, they really showed up.”
Now, with treatment behind her, Christine is beginning to move forward. Working as an organizer who helps people declutter their homes, she is looking forward to returning her attention to the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, gardening, and, most importantly, being with her family and friends.
In addition, she recently took another step forward by beginning an exercise program through Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s cancer survivorship services. “I really feel like it’s a brand-new beginning,” she said. “I really feel like it’s a second chance for me.”
“Every patient’s breast cancer journey is different, and Christine’s treatment reflects the importance of creating an individualized approach,” says Dr. Raptis. “Watching her progress through treatment, respond so well and now embrace survivorship has been incredibly rewarding for our entire team.”
Christine hopes to use that second chance to support others. During her own treatment, hearing the experiences of people who had faced breast cancer helped her.
For Christine, reaching the other side of treatment has brought an even deeper appreciation for the life and people around her, and for the team she trusted to get her here. “I feel very, very lucky,” she said. “I know a lot of people don’t get this outcome, and I’m really grateful for it.”