From Crown to Cause: Miss Massachusetts Honors Her Mom by Educating Others About Breast Cancer
Martie and her mother
At 27 years old, Martie Faye Argravante wears many hats—Banquet Events Supervisor, student, outdoor enthusiast, and most recently, Miss Massachusetts. But behind her pageant crown is a deeper purpose—one rooted in love, loss, and the courage to take action.
Martie’s mom discovered a lump at 54 but didn’t seek medical attention until two years later. Like many people, she hoped it might go away on its own.
“She believed that if it was ‘out of sight’ it would also be ‘out of mind,’” Martie says. “She spent a long time looking up other explanations, choosing to believe it was anything but cancer.”
Fear and cultural stigma played a role in the delay—a reality that affects countless people around the world.
“She was definitely afraid of breast cancer,” Martie reflects. “When she was finally diagnosed, she was hesitant to begin treatment. She worried about the toll it might take on her body and spirit.”
She passed away three years later at the age of 57.
Martie’s mother
That fear is not uncommon. In many communities, breast cancer is still surrounded by taboo, silence, and anxiety. But Know Your Lemons exists to change that. By turning education into something visual, beautiful, and even comforting, the foundation helps people move from fear to understanding—empowering everyone around the world to take charge of their breast health early.
Martie and her mother taking care of Martie after her accident
Martie became her mother’s caregiver during the hardest part of the journey. It was a role reversal that came full circle after Martie herself had survived a life-altering accident just a year earlier. “I had to relearn how to walk, and my mom took care of me every step of the way. Once it was my turn to care for her, I did what she did for me. I stayed overnight at the hospital, brought her soup from home, and just showed up as a loving, familiar face.”
It was this desire to educate that brought Martie to the Know Your Lemons Foundation.
“I was searching for a tangible way to make a difference regarding breast cancer,” she says. “I knew I could donate or do a walk, but I wanted to take ACTION. I needed to know I could help save someone else’s life.”
What she found in Know Your Lemons was a new way to teach people what breast cancer can look and feel like using educational visuals that are simple, visual, and unforgettable.
“People often feel confused and afraid of checking themselves,” she says. “But the lemons help people conceptualize what different things feel like, both normally and abnormally. It makes it so much easier to understand.”
Inspired by the fact that early detection can lead to a survival rate of up to 99%, Martie trained as a Lemonista, becoming a certified breast health educator. “I felt compelled to be part of the people amplifying this message.”
Martie now hopes to reach others across Massachusetts, Los Angeles, and even the Philippines.
“Through my title as Miss Massachusetts, I hope to educate many more. I saw on the impact map that there are five other Lemonistas in Massachusetts—making me the sixth! I hope to inspire others here so I’m not the last one either.”
Her mission is as global as it is personal.
Martie as a young girl and her mother
“I am so incredibly proud to be my mother’s daughter. She taught me so much through her strength and laughter. Both of us enjoyed pageantry, and I am honored to be representing Massachusetts—her home here in the U.S.—and advocating for breast health in her honor.”
Martie shares some final pieces of advice to those who are care-givers at the moment:
Martie and her mother and brother on Martie’s 25th birthday
“Educate. Not just your loved ones, but also yourselves. Your loved ones may look to you and trust you more than their care team at times, because they know you. This helped me in an instance where my mom did not want to take certain medication, however she eventually agreed once my brother and I explained to her how it could help in a way she understood.
Have grace with yourself. It’s okay to have bright spots or moments of joy, even in the midst of this storm. And sometimes that joy can be what’s needed with loved ones. It can be anything from enjoying a movie or TV show, to going on a hike or catching up with friends. Continuing to care for yourself and your own wellbeing are vital in being part of the support system for your loved one too.”
🍋🍋 Have a story to share?
If you’ve been impacted by breast cancer—whether as a patient, caregiver, or advocate—we’d love to hear how you are making a difference.
Share your story with us and help others learn what breast cancer can look and feel like.
👉 knowyourlemons.org/share-your-story
