Stand Up To Cancer

Senator Ted Kennedy

Last week Ted Kennedy, the "lion of the Senate," passed away from brain cancer. Over the course of his 46 years representing Massachusetts in the Senate, Kennedy led the US' effort to impose sanctions on South Africa over apartheid, denounced the Vietnam War and co-sponsored numerous acts of legislation designed to bring better health care to US citizens, including, in March of this year, a bill focused on improving cancer prevention, detection and treatment. "His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just -- including myself," said President Obama.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27kennedy.html

Kathryn Rae Hunt Mortenson

This moving article from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune looks at the life of Kate Hunt Morenson, wife, mother, volunteer and cancer blogger, who recently passed away from paraganglioma at the age of 37. For four years, she wrote on her website about her radiation and patient advocacy, inspiring those who, like her, were facing rare cancers. "Meeting Kate is a life-changing experience for most people," said one of her friends. "She was like a magnet. She drew you in. She was genuine and sincere, and she cared about you as if you were the only person in the room."
http://www.startribune.com/local/54879942.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:U0ckkD:aEyKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Dominick Dunne

Last week, Dominick Dunne, journalist and novelist, lost his battle with bladder cancer at the age of 83. In a piece remembering his life, Brooks Peters describes Dunne as "the life of the party," and recounts many of the incidents that marked his journalistic career. "Dunne was not afraid to take risks with his books," Peters writes. "He often tackled thorny issues with a fervor and boldness that were actually ahead of their time . . . Even at the end of his life, when the party was winding down, and Dunne knew he was deathly ill, he never lost his sense of humor or his gratitude for his good fortune."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brooks-peters/life-of-the-party_b_271163.html

Stefania Ocsay Mustain

In a comment on last week's "With You, We Stand," reader Stefania wrote in with her story. "I am encouraged by reading everyone's story," she said. "My grandfather passed away two years ago after a battle with lymphoma. We never watched anyone's appearance change so drastically. He lost so much weight that he obviously looked ill. The one thing that I admired the most about my grandfather "bunu", was that he continued with his life after being diagnosed with cancer. He lived to see me, his 1st grand-daughter, pregnant with his 2nd GREAT-Grandchild! He has 9 grandchildren in all! He had some bee hives in the surrounding area. I remembered this about him the most. So much, that we wore bee pins at his wake and funeral. No matter how his appearance changed, we knew him on the inside and that is what we cherish the most."

As always, we invite you to share your stories in the comments below.