Tara Petroski

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

“These tattoos honor the people I’ve lost—my sister, who was taken by an overdose, my father, who passed from COVID, and my boyfriend, who died on March 23, 2023. Their absence left deep scars on my heart. Not long after, I was diagnosed with a rare Phyllodes tumor and underwent a mastectomy. Thanks to the incredible care at Memorial Sloan Kettering, I’m still here, surviving, healing, and carrying their memory with me every single day.”

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

“If my tattoos could speak, they would whisper stories of love and loss. They’d speak the names of my sister, my father, and my boyfriend—each taken from this world too soon. They’d tell of the laughter we shared, the tears we cried, and the silence that followed their absence. They’d speak of grief carved into skin, not to dwell in pain, but to honor the love that never faded. They’d say, ‘They were here. They mattered. And they are never forgotten.&rsq

What would you do with the $25,000?

“If I won the $25,000 reward, I would use it to honor the memory of those I’ve lost and support others facing similar battles. I’d donate a portion to organizations focused on overdose awareness, COVID relief, and cancer research—especially for rare tumors like the one I survived. I’d also invest in continuing my tattoo journey, turning my body into a canvas of healing and remembrance, sharing my story to inspire others who’ve endured loss and found strength o