She’s being hailed by her supporters, including close friends Jasmine Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys, as one of the strongest and most resilient women they know. And there’s no doubt that ironman legend Grant Kenny is just as in awe of the bravery of his longtime girlfriend Stojanka Bulic – or “Stoj” as she’s affectionately known – as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.
The courageous Sunshine Coast local has bravely opened up about her diagnosis in a series of candid TikToks, revealing her shock diagnosis, and the aggressive life-saving treatments she is undergoing.
Holding back tears, the 46-year-old makeup artist, who regularly travels the world working for top fashion houses like Versace and Dior, was visibly shaken as she shared the news with her followers.
“Some Stoj news. Thank you to all my doctors, partner, family and friends for all the support,” she posted, before detailing exactly what she’s been through these past few months.
FAMILY TRAGEDY
“In January I found out that I had breast cancer, so that was a bit horrible,” she shared.
“I’ve just been dealing with that and having the lump removed. Everything’s okay… [the] cancer has been removed.
“But there’s just a lot of information that I had to take in, and I’m going to be doing chemotherapy and radiation, and I thought that I’d do this before all my hair falls out, which is already starting to happen.”
As tributes continue to flow in for the popular fashion industry icon, it’s been her own tragic backstory that has touched hearts across the world.
“My mother passed away from breast cancer 22 years ago, so I was petrified of the same outcome,” she explained.
“But breast cancer treatment has advanced so much in this time – I didn’t realise how much I didn’t know.”
Diagnosed with a form of breast cancer known as invasive lobular carcinoma, she has reportedly undergone a lumpectomy – telling her many supporters who may face the same procedure that “it’s very scary, but you will be fine”.
Determined to raise more awareness around breast cancer, especially among women as young as 25, Stoj is now calling for screening to be available to everyone, regardless of age.
Despite putting on a brave face, she couldn’t hide just how devastated she was when her hair began to fall out due to the chemo, even sharing her first haircut.
“You think that it’s a vain issue but it’s not,” she said. “The last three days I’ve been balling my eyes out uncontrollably because I look in the mirror and can’t recognise myself – I was prepared for
a mastectomy, a lumpectomy, the scars – no problem… why is it my hair is making me so emotional? I can’t stop crying.”
And while Stoj continues to fight her battle, Grant will be by her side through the next few crucial months while she recovers.
“He adores her, and he will do whatever it takes to get her through this. They’ll turn this into something positive, especially if it helps other survivors – that’s just how they roll,” a close friend tells Woman’s Day.
