Octopi Community Spotlight:
Parul Somani

by / Oct 06, 2020

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SENREVE invites you to join the cause and support women in need. From October 5 to 31, 20% of net proceeds on select items -- including handbags, cashmere, slippers, and small leather goods -- will be donated to World Cancer Research Fund. World Cancer Research Fund is committed to saving as many lives as possible by funding cutting-edge research into the links between lifestyle and cancer and is on a mission to empower all women who are affected by breast cancer.

SENREVE Crossbody, Mini Maestra, Coda Belt Bag, Aria Belt Bag, Bracelet PouchCrossbody in Pebbled Blush, Mini Maestra in Mimosa Fuchsia, Aria Belt Bag in Pebbled Blush, Bracelet Pouch in Pebbled Mauve, Coda Belt Bag in Mimosa Chili

To raise further awareness and empower our community, Parul Somani, offered to open up to SENREVE about her battle with breast cancer, her passion for storytelling, and the founding of her company, Silver Linings. Both MIT alumni, Wendy Wen (our Co-Founder and COO), worked with Parul during her summer MBA internship, an experience that inspired Wendy to co-found SENREVE. Read Parul’s conversation with Wendy below to learn about her incredibly inspirational journey with breast cancer and the subsequent founding of Silver Linings.


Parul and her family Parul, her two daughters, and her husband

Wendy: We are honored that you have decided to share your story with us. Can you tell us when you learned that you had been diagnosed with breast cancer and how you began to process the news? 
Parul: I was 38 weeks pregnant when I felt the lump. I remember lying in the examination room waiting for an ultrasound of the baby when I felt the pea-sized mass in my chest. The OBGYN believed it was most likely just a clogged milk duct given I was young and pregnant. My water broke two days later and my second daughter was born 2 weeks early. Given complications she experienced at birth, we were ambu