My Story

Busca La Luz started on a bad day. 

In November 2020, I started feeling pain under my right arm. I thought I had pulled something while lifting. I was the healthiest I had ever been in my life. So when I discovered a lump in my right breast I wasn’t too worried, but decided to make an appointment with my gynecologist. She gave me my script for my first mammogram, and that led to the longest day of my life. 

I spent 7 hours at the Betty Torricelli Institute for Breast Care. That visit included several mammograms, ultrasounds, and 3 biopsies. Between the barrage of tests and the staff’s somber tone, I knew something was wrong. 

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Dec. 7th, 2020. 

My breast surgeon told me that I had triple negative breast cancer, and that the cancer had also spread to my lymph nodes. I was 32 years old. I had no family history and tested negative for the BRCA gene.

“Triple negative” means that my cancer did not have any of the three hormone receptors that are commonly found in breast cancer, and that chemotherapy would be the most effective course of treatment. After 5 months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, no more cancer cells have been detected. I am still going to my regular check ups, and hopefully this is the end of my troubles with cancer. 

About My Vision

My chemotherapy regimen was intense, to say the least. I spent most of those five months in bed. My husband, my other half, my primary caretaker, would keep me company and have great life conversations with me. One day he asked me what my dream job/purpose/goal would be after I got better. 

I told him I had always dreamed of working for myself. Making something and sharing my creativity with people while making a difference. In what seemed to be a couple of minutes, the concept for an apparel brand with a cause was born. Busca La Luz is what I told him the name would be. Soon after that conversation, I started drawing up ideas for my shirts while completing my chemo and recovering from surgeries. 

After recovering from my final reconstructive surgery in December 2021, I started bringing Busca La Luz to life. 

About The Name

Busca La Luz means “look for the light” in Spanish; it was my daily reminder while going through the darkest period of my life. I was born in the Dominican Republic and my first language is Spanish. When I have dialogue in my head or I pray to God, the language that my subconscious speaks is Spanish. 

Bad days are something that we’re all going to experience. Whether it’s illness, depression, loss of a loved one, or just bad vibes, we will all experience sadness. In the darkest and lowest parts of my life, being reminded to look for the positives has helped get me to the next day. My relationship with God, my family, and my friends are all my light. 

In my first drawings and designs I drew the moth because I connected with it so much during my chemo treatment. I felt delicate and fragile like the wings of a moth. I felt like I existed in the dark, and I was attracted to the light…the light being love, family, laughter, and God's Word. Now I am so focused on looking for the positive light moments of everyday.

About The Cause

Sadly breast cancer is something many women will have to deal with. It is not known why but studies suggest that Triple Negative Breast Cancer affects premenopausal women and women of African ancestry at a higher rate. I want to encourage women of all ages to prioritize their health.

It’s also important that my business gives back. I’m donating 10% from every item sold to The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. I’m also giving my customers the option to donate an additional $5 when they check out.  

Join me in making a difference.