Fighting Cancer to Dance: Bri+ & Gina <3
- By Gina Heart
- July 4, 2013
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When I tell people that I have an “inspiration” section for Gina Heart, they don’t really know what it means, which is completely understandable. But the more you get to know me and browse this website, you’ll learn that everything comes back to two things: self improvement and empowerment. Letting yourself be inspired by others, brings new perspective into your life and allows you to inspire others in return. No matter how big or small the revelation is, as long as you take that moment to realize that this person can teach you something to better yourself, then you’ve been inspired. And to me, that is truly important.
This article is about Brianna Mercado; a friend, a dancer, a cancer survivor, and an inspiration. Watch this interview video to get a sense of her amazing story.
Brianna, better known as BriPositive to all her Instagram followers, had a rare type of bone cancer at the age of 15. With an undying fervor to dance again, Bri mentally prepared herself to be strong and believe that she had more to love and more to contribute to the world. After a difficult year of chemotherapy, radiation, no school and days spent at the hospital, Bri managed to stay strong. Soon enough, Bri was a cancer survivor and grew back all her hair, her strength to dance, and her commitment to cherish life. Years later, she started a photo-a-day challenge for herself in celebration of her 21st birthday and being 5 years cancer-free. Using Instagram as her platform, she attracted a following that inspired others to notice the wonderful little things in life.
Though Brianna is the same age as me, it doesn’t mean that I can’t learn from her experiences and values. Brianna taught me to “give constant love” and let myself be uplifted from small moments that are typically ignored. I am so glad that the little beauty she found in dance has become a bigger dream. 
Brianna recently moved to New York City to pursue her career in dance. She is currently training with the Broadway Dance Center in NYC and will be performing in a showcase this August.
Break a leg Bri!
Love,
~Gina Heart
Copyright © 2013