Second Time Around:
Telling her story, her way
As if enduring cancer once isn’t challenging enough, marketing consultant Alia Martinez of Smyrna, Ga., faced cancer for a second time 14 years after her first encounter.
Diagnosed with germ cell ovarian cancer at age 22 in 2011, Martinez, now a 37-year-old mother of two, was diagnosed again in 2025 — this time with breast cancer. “I lived a normal life for almost 14 years,” Martinez says.
Germ cell ovarian cancer is a rare, highly curable cancer that arises from egg-producing cells. It typically affects children, teenagers and young women (average age 19).
After receiving her ovarian cancer care at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Martinez says that when she needed treatment for breast cancer “it was a no-brainer as far as where to go for my treatment.”
Although no one in Martinez’s large extended family had experienced ovarian cancer, there were people in both her parents’ families who’d had breast cancer. “It was a shock to all of us — especially because I was so young — but what wasn’t a shock was the breast cancer.”
Martinez had done genetic testing in 2011, but she says the results were inconclusive. More recent testing confirmed a genetic variant. “At the end of the day, yes, I was diagnosed with this,” Martinez says, “but I’m really thinking about my children and their children — and what I could do today to really be proactive and make sure that they live a healthy and ‘scare-free’ lifestyle.”
Alia with her family at the 2025 Winship 5K.
Alia with her family at the 2025 Winship 5K.
Diagnosed with germ cell ovarian cancer at age 22 in 2011, Martinez, now a 37-year-old mother of two, was diagnosed again in 2025 — this time with breast cancer. “I lived a normal life for almost 14 years,” Martinez says.
Germ cell ovarian cancer is a rare, highly curable cancer that arises from egg-producing cells. It typically affects children, teenagers and young women (average age 19).
After receiving her ovarian cancer care at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Martinez says that when she needed treatment for breast cancer “it was a no-brainer as far as where to go for my treatment.”
Although no one in Martinez’s large extended family had experienced ovarian cancer, there were people in both her parents’ families who’d had breast cancer. “It was a shock to all of us — especially because I was so young — but what wasn’t a shock was the breast cancer.”
Martinez had done genetic testing in 2011, but she says the results were inconclusive. More recent testing confirmed a genetic variant. “At the end of the day, yes, I was diagnosed with this,” Martinez says, “but I’m really thinking about my children and their children — and what I could do today to really be proactive and make sure that they live a healthy and ‘scare-free’ lifestyle.”
Second Time Around
Martinez’s breast cancer diagnosis stemmed from a routine visit to her OB/GYN, who felt a lump in her breast and sent her to a specialist. After a mammogram and biopsy, the results confirmed breast cancer.
“I’m a very glass-half-full, positive person,” Martinez says. “But I did not have it on my bingo card that I was going to get diagnosed with cancer for the second time. It was definitely a shock — especially because this time around I have two little children that I have to take care of.”
Her passionate commitment to be there for her children provided the steel for her determination to get through her second cancer experience. “I had a will of determination that no matter what, I was going to live for my children,” Martinez says. “I was going to live for my husband. I was going to live for my two little brothers.”
“I think the hardest part for me was actually telling my two younger brothers and my mom again — because they had lived through it once. Cancer is tough on the person with it, but it’s also tough on the people around you.”
She cried, for sure. “But then I wiped my tears and went and picked up my kids, and I probably hugged them longer than I hugged them in a while.”
Martinez is clear that the one “blessing” cancer brings is a new appreciation for life and love. But she stresses that cancer should never “define” anyone. “Was it scary? Yes, but I wasn’t going to let it be something that debilitated me in any way.”
Alia with one of her two sons.
Alia with one of her two sons.
Martinez’s breast cancer diagnosis stemmed from a routine visit to her OB/GYN, who felt a lump in her breast and sent her to a specialist. After a mammogram and biopsy, the results confirmed breast cancer.
“I’m a very glass-half-full, positive person,” Martinez says. “But I did not have it on my bingo card that I was going to get diagnosed with cancer for the second time. It was definitely a shock — especially because this time around I have two little children that I have to take care of.”
Her passionate commitment to be there for her children provided the steel for her determination to get through her second cancer experience. “I had a will of determination that no matter what, I was going to live for my children,” Martinez says. “I was going to live for my husband. I was going to live for my two little brothers.”
“I think the hardest part for me was actually telling my two younger brothers and my mom again — because they had lived through it once. Cancer is tough on the person with it, but it’s also tough on the people around you.”
She cried, for sure. “But then I wiped my tears and went and picked up my kids, and I probably hugged them longer than I hugged them in a while.”
Martinez is clear that the one “blessing” cancer brings is a new appreciation for life and love. But she stresses that cancer should never “define” anyone. “Was it scary? Yes, but I wasn’t going to let it be something that debilitated me in any way.”
Telling Her Story, Her Way
“One thing that I’m super proud of is that I would be the one who was writing my story,” Martinez says. “I would be the one that was going to be proactive in telling people what happened because I’m so proud of myself that I did catch it early and I have options.”
The first time she dealt with cancer, Martinez says she “hid it” from a lot of people. In her large family with roots in Ethiopia, personal health issues weren’t commonly discussed openly. “It wasn’t necessarily something that I was ashamed about. It’s just that in my culture and tradition, you kind of keep things very close. And I didn’t want people to treat me differently. So nobody knew I had ovarian cancer. They just knew that I was a little sick and I might have lost hair.”
This time, Martinez has approached her cancer experience differently. “I think I was doing myself and the people around me a disservice the very first time that I was diagnosed,” she says. “So when I was diagnosed the second time, with breast cancer, I shouted it from the rooftops because what I didn’t want is for people to continue to think that cancer is this bad word and that it’s something that they have to shy away from.”
The impact of openly sharing her story has led two people close to her to share their own experiences with cancer. “I think it’s important to share your story because you never know who you’re going to help in the long run,” Martinez says. She adds, “I think it’s so important to tell your story and to tell people, ‘Take your health seriously, be proactive, get cancer screenings and health screenings — because then you have a plethora of options versus being forced into potentially one or two.”
Alia with her oncologist Anusha Vallurupalli.
Alia with her oncologist Anusha Vallurupalli.
“One thing that I’m super proud of is that I would be the one who was writing my story,” Martinez says. “I would be the one that was going to be proactive in telling people what happened because I’m so proud of myself that I did catch it early and I have options.”
The first time she dealt with cancer, Martinez says she “hid it” from a lot of people. In her large family with roots in Ethiopia, personal health issues weren’t commonly discussed openly. “It wasn’t necessarily something that I was ashamed about. It’s just that in my culture and tradition, you kind of keep things very close. And I didn’t want people to treat me differently. So nobody knew I had ovarian cancer. They just knew that I was a little sick and I might have lost hair.”
This time, Martinez has approached her cancer experience differently. “I think I was doing myself and the people around me a disservice the very first time that I was diagnosed,” she says. “So when I was diagnosed the second time, with breast cancer, I shouted it from the rooftops because what I didn’t want is for people to continue to think that cancer is this bad word and that it’s something that they have to shy away from.”
The impact of openly sharing her story has led two people close to her to share their own experiences with cancer. “I think it’s important to share your story because you never know who you’re going to help in the long run,” Martinez says. She adds, “I think it’s so important to tell your story and to tell people, ‘Take your health seriously, be proactive, get cancer screenings and health screenings — because then you have a plethora of options versus being forced into potentially one or two.”
Surrounded and Lifted Up
Martinez’s husband Jemir was with her when she received her breast cancer diagnosis — and has remained her number one support. “He changed my dressings after surgery and he was . . . incredible,” she says. “My husband has been to every single doctor’s appointment, every single infusion.”
Then there’s her mom. “My mom is like Mother Teresa reincarnated,” Martinez says. She takes care of the children — three-year-old Idris and four-year-old Amir — while Martinez is getting her infusions. “And then I have two amazing brothers and their wives, and I have cousins all around me.”
Oncology nurse Ashley Courtney prepares infusion therapy for Alia.
Oncology nurse Ashley Courtney prepares infusion therapy for Alia.
The family’s love and support overflowed one particular day. “I remember the day of my double mastectomy. I got home after the surgery and there were like 30 people in our house. You would think that there was a party just because of the number of people that were there, but they just wanted to know that I was okay. So they came every day for weeks, just giving me food and giving me comfort.”
Martinez gives credit where it’s due. “I’m here today, yes, because I have this determination. But it is because of my friends and my family. And I have a strong faith, and it is because of my faith. I am really grateful to them.”
Alia and husband Jemir with their sons Amir and Idris.
Alia and husband Jemir with their sons Amir and Idris.
Martinez’s husband Jemir was with her when she received her breast cancer diagnosis — and has remained her number one support. “He changed my dressings after surgery and he was . . . incredible,” she says. “My husband has been to every single doctor’s appointment, every single infusion.”
Then there’s her mom. “My mom is like Mother Teresa reincarnated,” Martinez says. She takes care of the children — three-year-old Idris and four-year-old Amir — while Martinez is getting her infusions. “And then I have two amazing brothers and their wives, and I have cousins all around me.”
Oncology nurse Ashley Courtney prepares infusion therapy for Alia.
Oncology nurse Ashley Courtney prepares infusion therapy for Alia.
The family’s love and support overflowed one particular day. “I remember the day of my double mastectomy. I got home after the surgery and there were like 30 people in our house. You would think that there was a party just because of the number of people that were there, but they just wanted to know that I was okay. So they came every day for weeks, just giving me food and giving me comfort.”
Martinez gives credit where it’s due. “I’m here today, yes, because I have this determination. But it is because of my friends and my family. And I have a strong faith, and it is because of my faith. I am really grateful to them.”
Renewed Health Focus
“I’m a lot more vigilant and protective about my health,” Martinez says. “I’m a huge advocate for getting cancer screenings. I’m 37 years old. Nobody would think that I would be diagnosed with ovarian, let alone breast cancer, this young. I try to take my health very, very seriously.”
This is one way cancer has changed her: “I think it’s made me be very proactive in my health, and it’s also made me enjoy the little things in life.” Now she thinks like this: “Instead of putting off that vacation or putting off that great restaurant that you’ve always wanted to go to, go ahead and go. More than anything, cancer teaches you that life is short. Surround yourself with people who are going to lift you up.”
What would Martinez tell another young woman or mother just beginning her own cancer experience? “I would tell her that you can do this. Women can do anything. I mean, no offense, but we can do a lot. This is just another thing that we’re just going to have to tough out and do. And at the end of the day, it’s going to be hard. But we can do hard things. This is not a death sentence. It’s just another thing that you’re going to have to do.”
Story by John-Manuel Andriote, an author and seasoned health/medical journalist, is Winship’s senior writer and editor of Winship Magazine.
Designed by Linda Dobson
Photography by Jenni Girtman
Videography by Jim Gagne
Alia at the 2025 Winship 5K.
Alia at the 2025 Winship 5K.
“I’m a lot more vigilant and protective about my health,” Martinez says. “I’m a huge advocate for getting cancer screenings. I’m 37 years old. Nobody would think that I would be diagnosed with ovarian, let alone breast cancer, this young. I try to take my health very, very seriously.”
This is one way cancer has changed her: “I think it’s made me be very proactive in my health, and it’s also made me enjoy the little things in life.” Now she thinks like this: “Instead of putting off that vacation or putting off that great restaurant that you’ve always wanted to go to, go ahead and go. More than anything, cancer teaches you that life is short. Surround yourself with people who are going to lift you up.”
What would Martinez tell another young woman or mother just beginning her own cancer experience? “I would tell her that you can do this. Women can do anything. I mean, no offense, but we can do a lot. This is just another thing that we’re just going to have to tough out and do. And at the end of the day, it’s going to be hard. But we can do hard things. This is not a death sentence. It’s just another thing that you’re going to have to do.”
Story by John-Manuel Andriote, an author and seasoned health/medical journalist, is Winship’s senior writer and editor of Winship Magazine.
Designed by Linda Dobson
Photography by Jenni Girtman
Videography by Jim Gagne
Running and Shining with Gratitude
One way Martinez likes to show her gratitude for her care at Winship is by participating each year in the annual Winship 5K since its inception in October 2011. At the time, she had just been declared cancer-free after her bout with ovarian cancer. “I’ve been doing it every single year since the very beginning. I’ve lived in different places and we would always come back for the Winship 5K.”
Martinez says she always walked the 5K — until she met her husband, an avid runner. “He was definitely the one who encouraged me and pushed me because I get to run. Not everybody gets to run. Not everybody even gets to walk.” Recalling the 2025 Winship 5K, Martinez says, “This one was so important to me because I had just gone through surgery a month prior, and I didn’t know if I was going to get to walk, let alone run. So I was really challenging myself and pushing myself. But I was able to cross the finish line with a time of around 35 minutes. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing, but I got to do that — and that’s something that I will always cherish.”
Martinez explains the significance of her 5K team’s name, Abyssinian Warriors. “My family is originally from Ethiopia, and Ethiopia is one of the only countries to not be colonized in Africa. And I kind of see it as the Abyssinian warriors were never defeated. So that’s kind of like me honoring them by saying cancer will never defeat me and will never defeat us.”
Another annual event Martinez attends is Fashion a Cure, a Winship fundraiser to advance research and treatment for cancers affecting women. This year she made her second runway appearance in the fashion show, held at the Piedmont Driving Club on April 28. More than 550 attendees contributed over $650,000, bringing the total raised since the event began in 2013 to more than $3 million. “I think the most joyful and encouraging thing was seeing other cancer patients also walk, celebrating each other, raising awareness for cancer,” she says.
Running and Shining with Gratitude
One way Martinez likes to show her gratitude for her care at Winship is by participating each year in the annual Winship 5K since its inception in October 2011. At the time, she had just been declared cancer-free after her bout with ovarian cancer. “I’ve been doing it every single year since the very beginning. I’ve lived in different places and we would always come back for the Winship 5K.”
Martinez says she always walked the 5K — until she met her husband, an avid runner. “He was definitely the one who encouraged me and pushed me because I get to run. Not everybody gets to run. Not everybody even gets to walk.” Recalling the 2025 Winship 5K, Martinez says, “This one was so important to me because I had just gone through surgery a month prior, and I didn’t know if I was going to get to walk, let alone run. So I was really challenging myself and pushing myself. But I was able to cross the finish line with a time of around 35 minutes. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing, but I got to do that — and that’s something that I will always cherish.”
Martinez explains the significance of her 5K team’s name, Abyssinian Warriors. “My family is originally from Ethiopia, and Ethiopia is one of the only countries to not be colonized in Africa. And I kind of see it as the Abyssinian warriors were never defeated. So that’s kind of like me honoring them by saying cancer will never defeat me and will never defeat us.”
Another annual event Martinez attends is Fashion a Cure, a Winship fundraiser to advance research and treatment for cancers affecting women. This year she made her second runway appearance in the fashion show, held at the Piedmont Driving Club on April 28. More than 550 attendees contributed over $650,000, bringing the total raised since the event began in 2013 to more than $3 million. “I think the most joyful and encouraging thing was seeing other cancer patients also walk, celebrating each other, raising awareness for cancer,” she says.
Alia and her family at the 2026 Fashion a Cure.
Alia and her family at the 2026 Fashion a Cure.
Care tailored to your needs
Care for patients with cancer at Winship includes leading cancer specialists collaborating across disciplines to tailor treatment plans to each patient’s needs; innovative therapies and clinical trials; comprehensive patient and family support services; and a care experience aimed at easing the burden of cancer.
Every step gets us closer
The Winship 5K Run/Walk is a family‑friendly event, offered both virtually and in person, held on the Emory University campus. Join us on October 3, 2026, and you’ll be supporting cancer research and treatment advances at Winship Cancer Institute that help patients live longer, healthier lives.
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