She had no risk factors, no family history, and had just been deemed "healthy" by her doctor. Trish Gautier says her breast cancer diagnosis felt like she had been hit by lightning. But Gautier was determined to battle through the treatment and live her best life.

Gautier was 37 years old when she found a lump. After testing, doctors discovered breast cancer, and suggested a lumpectomy. But Trish chose a more aggressive route - a double mastectomy.

"I felt like, 'let's annihilate this, let's not leave anything to chance,'" she says.

During the procedure, her surgeon found a second cancer in a completely different part of her body, that didn't come up on any pre-imaging.

Gautier, the mother of twin boys, who works as a visiting nurse, says she barely remembers the next year because she was in survival mode.

She says growing up in Hempstead - in the West Indian culture - it was not acceptable to share health issues publicly.

She Googled "young breast cancer survivor New York," and that's how she found a group called The Breasties. She now works with the group.

Looking to volunteer? Click here to find resources!

She also found Hewlett House. There, she shares stories with other survivors, gives and gets advice, doles out encouragement and works with women who are newly diagnosed.

More resources:
14 resources to help those facing breast cancer, and their loved ones
8 places to get low-cost or free mammograms
Learn about the 7 common symptoms and signs of breast cancer
Self-exam: 11 steps to check for breast cancer
6 ways to volunteer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month