The Survivors Parade, now in its 18th year, has developed into one of the highlights of Kentucky Oaks day at Churchill Downs.

As part of the celebration of the $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks, 150 survivors of breast and ovarian cancer will march triumphantly on the historic track Friday before the nation’s premier race for 3-year-old fillies. Their aim is to raise awareness of the disease and to encourage fans to donate by visiting the websites of the Norton Cancer Institute Survivorship Program or the Horses and Hope Kentucky Cancer Program. They also may donate by visiting https://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/special-events/kentucky-oaks-survivors-parade/.

Here are the stories of four brave women among the 150 who were chosen at random to march:

Nikki Berrian, 52

Nikki Berrian (Courtesy of Nikki Berrian)

Berrian is a great example of the importance of knowing one’s body.

Although two recent mammograms had not shown any hint of cancer, she made sure to continue to examine herself and to point out a potential issue with her right breast to her primary care physician in March 2025. The doctor immediately expressed concern and ordered an emergency magnetic resonance imaging exam and then a biopsy that revealed cancer.

Berrian’s right breast was removed and a regimen of 25 rounds of radiation was prescribed. The need to move from Atlanta to Louisville to accommodate the career of her husband, Ty, only complicated matters.

“Not having my trusted physicians from home made it very difficult,” she said. “It’s been a cray two years.” She and Ty benefit from the love and support of their two daughters, Paris, 24, and Palyce, 20.

The great news is that Berrian’s cancer was contained to the right breast. As part of her recovery, she is lifting weights at the direction of her physical therapist.

“I’m just thankful we made it through,” she said, adding, “I’m happy to be a small piece of what is happening on Friday.”

Ashley Karlen, 35

Ashley Karlen with her grandparents (Courtesy of Ashley Karlen)

Karlen lives in Medford, Wis., and is employed as a social worker on behalf of child protective services. She had just turned 26 when what she thought was a urinary tract infection was instead diagnosed as a rare and aggressive form of cancer. It only added to the shock when she was given a 20% chance to survive. When she sought a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, the news was no better.

Emergency surgery to remove a malignant tumor was followed by chemotherapy. While her treatment took away her ability to become pregnant, she is incredibly grateful that she beat dire odds.

This marks her 10th year with no evidence of cancer. She is doing something enjoyable every month to celebrate and said the trip to Churchill Downs always was a bucket-list item. She developed a passion for racing as a child.

“This is the culmination of all the hard work that goes into it,” she said of battling cancer, adding, “There were some days I just don’t want to remember.”

Her story gets better yet. She fell in love and married Kyle a year and a half ago. They are considering starting their family through adoption.  

Tammy Stewart, 66

Carol Rutz and Tammy Stewart (Courtesy of Tammy Stewart)

Stewart becomes so emotional when she discusses her survival that she agreed to do an interview as long as Carol Rutz fielded questions for her. That was appropriate because this is very much a story of two women helping each other find a way through hard times.

A routine mammogram revealed a cancerous lump in Stewart’s left breast seven years ago. In addition, she has multiple sclerosis. Rutz is autistic and said she battles depression.

Stewart did everything surgically possible to rid herself of cancer by having a double mastectomy and never looking back. “It was the most permanent decision I ever made,” she said.

Stewart and Rutz have been friends since 2017. They met through their participation in the Churchill Downs Racing Club and have enjoyed numerous racing-related experiences together.

Stewart stepped up when Rutz’s husband died, helping her to sort through financial matters and praying with her to help her see life in a better light. Stewart is fond of reminding Rutz of the importance of turning faith into action.

“We are the church, not the building,” she often tells her.

Renee Wheeler, 45

Renee Wheeler with husband, James (Courtesy of Renee Wheeler)

Wheeler, a veterinarian who lives with her husband, James, in Carthage, N.C., has long been hesitant to open up about her diagnosis of breast cancer in July 2021 and the lumpectomy that followed one month later.

Her willingness to participate in the Survivors’ Parade changed that.

“I’ve been private through my journey. I haven’t wanted people to see me as less, see me as cancer,” she said. “I’ve been afraid to say what I went through.”

Wheeler did not want friends and family to perceive her as weak or vulnerable. “But the truth is I have felt that and I have been that,” she said. “It’s part of me and it’s part of my story.”

Her dream was always to do the walkover from the barn area to the paddock with a Derby horse. She accepts that her dream took a very different turn and now she is very much at peace with that.

“I don’t always choose what I am faced with,” she said. “But when I am faced with hard things, I am strong, I am brave, I am myself. I am here and I am walking.”