In August of 2017, ten days after starting the Social Work master’s program at the University of Southern California (USC), Nicolle Brown was diagnosed with stage two HERS2 positive breast cancer. Two weeks later the diagnosis was upgraded to stage four.  Her student advisor strongly recommended she delay the pursuit of the degree, but she flatly refused to heed their advice.  Nicky underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and target therapy all while excelling in her studies.  Not only did she graduate on time, but with honors in May 2019.

 

Because of her weakened immune system, she had to leave her first job as a social worker during Covid-19.  She was able to rejoin the workforce as a clinician in June of 2022.  Shortly after delving into the work she was born to do happened again—ever cancer thriver’s worst nightmare--it had come back.  In September of 2022 a left breast mastectomy was performed removing the remaining lymph nodes under her left arm, as well.  Following twelve weekly chemotherapy treatments, she is now completing a target therapy regimen.  Her Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and severe anemia have complicated her treatment, prolonging the process.

 

Nicolle is a bulldog for patient advocacy beginning with herself.  She is relentlessly passionate about uplifting her fellow thrivers, all while fully empathetic to the limitless challenges they face daily.  From that passion Warrior Queens and Kings was born.