Meet Our Founders
Three women, one common thread. Our founders know what it means to endure a breast cancer diagnosis and then have to navigate their own fertility journey in the process. Each of our founders has a very different story, but the same passion for creating A Chance For Life.
Sarrah Strimel Bentley
Sarrah is the creator and founder of Damn Good Yoga. “It’s like seeing my therapist, a revival meeting, and a butt kicking workout, all wrapped together in one yoga class”. She has taught many events internationally, most recently for Bloomingdales annual PINK yoga class, kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on 9/1/20, finishing her active treatment on 4/21/21 after a double mastectomy, two rounds of IVF, 8 rounds of chemotherapy, and 28 rounds of radiation. Her and her new husband have one embryo to begin their surrogacy journey with and are fortunate to do so! She continues to chronicle her experience through Instagram @damngoodyoga to raise awareness for other young women and been the face of Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaigns for Talbots and ABC News. Her personal motto is, “when walking down a road you didn’t expect to be on, you have two choices. To walk down it in fear, down trodden and heavy. Or to strut down it, looking around at all the joy amongst the unknown. Choose the latter!”
Victoria Raphael
Victoria, at 33 years old in late 2018, was diagnosed with stage 1A Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and triple hormone positive after her doctor found a small lump during a routine gynecology appointment. Since her cancer was detected early she was able to take the best course of action with the support of her phenomenal doctors, family and effective treatment plan. She is now cancer free. With amazing determination and positivity, she tackled 17 rounds of chemo, 6 weeks of radiation, 2 lumpectomies, and 1 reconstruction surgery - that’s no small feat! Prior to starting chemotherapy, Victoria was very fortunate to complete 1 round of fertility preservation and froze 13 embryos (8 genetically normal) with the intention of embarking the surrogacy journey with her husband Neema when she was cured. Feeling extremely thankful and blessed they kicked off the lengthy but beautiful process in the midst of the unknowns and resistance during COVID-19 and happy to announce she and her husband are expecting their first child in November with their surrogate Kristina who lives in Houston, Texas. Feeling so fortunate on the back of unlucky events her biggest message is: get tested early and often - stay positive and determined.
A Damn Good Life is not only an amazing resource for women who need financial aid for surrogacy but a destination to access the Super Woman power, positivity and support we all need battling cancer. Victoria is extremely excited and proud to build this community with Sarrah and Annie and can’t wait to connect and support the women and families who are exploring the world of surrogacy.
Victoria is the VP, Ops & Sales at HigherDOSE - helping bring infrared to the masses. In addition to A Damn Good Life, Victoria is starting a podcast airing late 2021 on Breast Cancer & Fertility. She lives in NYC with her husband.
Ann Palmer
Ann is a luxury hospitality professional who has represented luxury hotels and private members clubs in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Paris and Charleston among others. She was diagnosed with Stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on 11/18/2020 at the age of 36. The diagnosis was particularly jarring after losing her mother to the same disease who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer in 1999 when Ann was a teenager. Ann grew up watching how hard this battle can be and the toll it takes on the family. Her mom eventually succumbed to the disease in 2007. She always knew Breast Cancer could be a possibility for her but never imagined it would be at such a young age. After the diagnosis Ann went through genetic testing and thankfully did not have the gene. Her diagnosis was followed by two lumpectomies, a double mastectomy and two reconstructive surgeries. Thankfully because her wonderful team of doctors found the disease so early she did not have to go through additional treatments. Needless to say, Breast Cancer research, support, awareness and funding are causes very close to her heart. She has participated in fundraisers and raised money for various Breast Cancer organizations over the years and is thrilled to be starting A Damn Good Life with her two courageous friends who are going through the surrogacy journey.
