About
The PINC Foundation (Prove It's Not Cancer) was founded out of love, loss, and the unwavering hope to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Our foundation was created in loving memory of Katelyn Walker, who courageously battled breast cancer with grace and unimaginable strength. After a six month battle Katelyn passed away on November 3, 2024, just four days before her wedding day — a moment that should have been filled with joy and celebration. Instead, her life was cut short by an aggressive form of breast cancer that might have been caught sooner with broader access to genetic testing and early detection tools.
Katelyn's Story
On February 16, 2024, Katelyn noticed a mass in her left breast and immediately sought guidance from medical professionals. Doctors considered an ultrasound the appropriate first steps given Katelyn's age of only 25 years old.
After the April 3, 2024 ultrasound, the report concluded that Katelyn's mass was “probably a benign cyst (not cancer)”. Her doctors recommended that she come back in 3 months for another ultrasound to monitor any changes.
Being dissatisfied with these results, Katelyn advocated for additional investigation of the mass, which then led to a biopsy. On May 8, 2024, the biopsy report revealed that Katelyn, in fact, had “infiltrating ductal carcinoma - Grade 3” breast cancer. Ironically, this shocking diagnosis came exactly 6 months before Katelyn and her fiancé Dominic's wedding date of November 8, 2024.
This diagnosis led to an endless amount of testing and scans, which later revealed that Katelyn's breast cancer was Stage 4 in addition to being Triple Negative.
Why we're Called PINC, “Prove It’s Not Cancer”
The name PINC which stands for “Prove It’s Not Cancer,” was born from a deeply personal story, one that reflects the experience of too many young women who are dismissed or overlooked when they express concern about their health.
Katelyn was only in her 20s when she discovered a lump in her breast. Doctors assured her it was “just a cyst” and that she was “too young for breast cancer.” But Katelyn trusted her instincts and kept pushing for answers. Tragically, when she was finally diagnosed, it was Stage 4 breast cancer, proof that age does not protect anyone from this disease.
“Prove It’s Not Cancer” became Katelyn’s rallying cry, a message of self advocacy, awareness, and early detection. It means asking questions, demanding testing, and refusing to be dismissed. It represents courage, persistence, and the power of a woman’s voice in her own care.
The PINC Foundation carries that message forward, ensuring that no young woman is told she’s “too young,” “too healthy,” or “overreacting.” We work to educate, empower, and support young adults ages 20–45 to take their health seriously and to speak up until someone proves it’s not cancer.