Colleen Boardman, a dedicated teacher and tennis coach at Lyons Central School District, recently triumphed over breast cancer. With a family history of breast cancer, Ms. Boardman was diagnosed in January 2024 and underwent surgery at Pluta Cancer Center in Rochester, completing radiation treatment in June. Fortunately, she is now in remission.

Ms. Boardman has 26 years of teaching experience at LCSD, with 24 years spent as a coach. She is a beloved figure in the LCSD community and has a deep passion for her students. She advises others, “Advocate for yourself and don’t hesitate to get tested. Early detection is crucial.” 

Throughout her treatment, she received tremendous support from her colleagues, students, family, and friends, including a meal train and heartfelt cards. She expressed her gratitude, saying, “The support from my family and school community was incredible.”

The Girls’ Varsity Tennis team wanted to support their coach by giving back to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, which helped Ms. Boardman through her cancer journey. They sold “Smash Breast Cancer” t-shirts to raise awareness and donated to support the organization’s work in providing resources and support to victims and survivors of breast cancer.

“Coach is a fighter. Over the past year, she battled breast cancer, and as a team, we’ve been fighting with her. We know it’s been hard for her, but she has not been alone. For years, Coach has been taking care of her players, and this year, as a community and as a family, we’re here to take care of our Coach,” said Samantha Figueroa, Senior on the Lyons Varsity Tennis team.

Ms. Boardman’s inspiring journey highlights the strength of community support and the importance of resilience. As she continues to impact her students and fellow survivors, her story is a powerful reminder of hope and determination.