I don’t actually remember when I first met Kimmy. Last summer, a mutual friend asked us and neither of us could pinpoint the occasion. But this is because since I first met Kimmy, she has been a resolute and unwavering part of my life. It’s hard to think about a time when she wasn’t someone who I have spent great times with, collaborated with, shared laughs and turns and thoughtful conversations with. Her presence, her leadership, her thoughtfulness and empathy, her sense of adventure and ability to always see the humor in any situation have always been there. I’m not alone in this experience. This is how it is for everyone that Kimmy welcomes into her community; she generously shares her knowledge, compassion, and outlook with everyone in her life; Kimmy is bright light incarnate, a lightning in a bottle of a human who sparks excitement and shares it with others.

In November 2021, Kimmy was diagnosed with aggressive inflammatory breast cancer. With two young sons, and her husband, professional skier Chris Benchetler, at her side, Kimmy put her energy into ridding her body of cancer. Knowing Kimmy, it comes as no surprise that even when experiencing the hardest of times on a deep, personal level, she was continually sharing her experiences, supporting other people fighting breast cancer, and doing the utmost to help others who could find themselves facing a breast cancer diagnosis in the future. Opening herself up during an unfathomably vulnerable and difficult time was no small feat, but as I said, knowing Kimmy, there is no other way she faces challenges besides head-on and with immense empathy and grace.

This fall, Kimmy was cleared. She is cancer free. But her journey continues as an advocate to help others, sharing her experience and encouraging people to perform self breast exams as a means to detect lumps early. In Beautiful Flaws, Kimmy shares a glimpse into her journey, her own strength, and the magic of the family and community around her.