Stand Up To Cancer

With You, We Stand is a new feature on the SU2C Blog. Each week we'll focus on the stories of people around the world who have fought or are fighting cancer, and we invite you to share your stories with us in the comments below.

Farrah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett, star of the 70s television show "Charlie's Angels," passed away on June 25 after a three-year battle with anal cancer. Fawcett documented her struggle in a television special called "Farrah's Story," which aired May 15 on NBC. In the last few months of her life, she worked to promote awareness of the rarely discussed disease. In this CNN.com article, her friends and loved ones remember her. Craig Nevius, who directed "Farrah's Story," said, "Not many stars can be credited with inspiring both a hair style and changes in legislation (surrounding domestic violence and more recently patient privacy). And she did it without posturing or campaigning but by simply choosing her own path and making her own rules."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/06/25/fawcett.reax/index.html

Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald

Dr. Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald made headlines in 1999 for her incredible courage and fortitude. While posted at the South Pole, isolated with a small group of researchers, she diagnosed and treated her own breast cancer, performing her own biopsy and chemotherapy with the help of such unlikely clinicians as a welder and a machinist. Following a dramatic rescue in -58 temperatures, she was treated in the US for her cancer, which went into remission before recurring in 2005. She passed away this week from the disease. ''She had incredible zest and enthusiasm for life,'' her husband said. ''She was the kindest soul I ever met. She was intelligent, with a great sense of humor, and she lived each day to the fullest.''
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/06/24/us/AP-US-Obit-Jerri-Nielsen.html?_r=2&ref=obituarie

Larry Collins

Larry Collins, 68, has been fighting lung cancer since his diagnosis last summer. In the ensuing year, he's lost 75 pounds, and has become so weak that getting off the couch too fast could result in a harrowing fall. But that hasn't stopped him from coaching Little League. For 44 years, the Evansville, Indiana resident has been a fixture in the town's baseball community, and he won't let cancer stop him from working with the kids he loves. "Do the boys know I'm sick?" he says. "Probably, but I don't mention it. I've only missed one game this season. Somehow I find a way to get myself to the dugout."
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/jun/25/little-league-skipper-coaches-through-cancer/

Maimah Karmo

Over at Jayne's Breast Cancer Blog, one remarkable survivor, Jayne England Byrne, profiles the work of another, Maimah Karmo. After Karmo's diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 32, she created the Tigerlily Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young women with breast cancer. As she explains it, "younger women have specific needs to their demographic - dating, insurance coverage, financial issues, fertility, coping with a longer lifespan while living with cancer or being metastatic, life after cancer, during college, dating, caring for younger children, not having a strong support system, being single, being in the prime of their lives and then having to face their mortality. Even the issue of them thinking they are too young and not being aware of their risks - someone needs to stand up and create a voice and a change for these younger women."
http://jaynesbreastcancerblog.com/2009/06/interview-with-maimah-karmo-part-1/

--Cat

Posted on June 26, 2009 2:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

Reid Sacco

In a comment on our inaugural "With You, We Stand" post, Deb Sacco wrote in to share her family's story. Reid Sacco passed away from rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of 20; now, for the fifth year running, family and friends will participate in a 28-mile bike ride across Boston's North Shore to raise money for young adult cancer research. "After his gallant 2 year battle, we promised to make a difference, so no other young adult, so full of life, would have to struggle to live life," Deb wrote. To learn more about this year's Reid's Ride, which is right around the corner, visit www.reidsaccofoundation.org.

Peter Tork

In the Washington Post, Peter Tork, formerly one of the Monkees, writes in to tell his cancer story in his own words. Tork is facing adenoid cystic carcinoma, a relatively rare cancer of the mouth. "I recovered very quickly after my surgery, and I've been hoping that my better-than-average constitution will keep the worst effects of radiation at bay," he writes. "My voice and energy still seem to be in decent shape, so maybe I can pull these gigs off after all. Just in case, though, I've invited some friends to join me, including my friend Lauren, a world-class slide guitar player. People will be so dazzled by her that they won't notice whether I'm doing well. I'm also bringing in belly dancers, and I'm expecting a fly-over by the Royal Canadian Air Force. Maybe elephants."
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2009/07/my_blog_last_week_about.html?hpid=sec-health

Tom Weber

Tom Weber, a prostate cancer survivor from Wisconsin, has found a new way to stay upbeat about the disease: music. Weber writes songs with titles like "Little Prostate Let Me Down" and performs them at a local cancer care center. By putting a funny slant on some of the more negative side effects of prostate cancer treatment, including incontinence and sexual dysfunction, Weber says he's found a way to keep smiling through his illness. "I believe in having humor in my life every day," he said.
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20090707/MAN0101/907070430/1984/MAN04

"srutledge"

Another SU2C Blog reader shared her story in the comments on June 26. srutledge was diagnosed with malignant melanoma at the age of 30; today, eight years later, she's cancer free. She writes, "I had only heard sad, depressing stories about melanoma. I knew it was the most fatal cancer. I was, in a nutshell, freaking out . . . I let fear hold onto me for years. One day I was in my dermatologist's office and I said, Why don't we ever hear good stories about melanoma? He said to me, Share yours. It is a success story. That moment was defining for me . . . I have decided this cancer won't rule my life. I will not be fearful, but thankful."

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

Posted on July 7, 2009 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Emily Zimmerman

Just a few months after completing chemotherapy for leukemia, Emily Zimmerman, 12, is helping to organize a fundraiser to give back to two charities that helped during her treatment, The Jeremy Foundation and the Casey Cares Foundation. Emily and her friends will stuff baskets to be used as prizes in a charity bingo game and are hoping to raise $5,000. And the experience has also helped her figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. "I want to be child life specialist," she says. "They're the people who work in the playroom at the hospital. They kept me busy. Then I want to be a nurse."
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1717116

Janis Tacy

Janis shared her cancer story with us in a recent blog comment. At 61, she's survived both melanoma and breast cancer. She writes, "Early detection is the key . . . My melanoma was small and had developed on my back in the six months between visits to my dermatologist. It was in the early stage and completely removed. My breast cancer was caught on a screening mammogram and finally diagnosed June 1, 2009. Fortunately, it was less than 1 cm and a slow grower. I had a lumpectomy on June 9 and am in the process of healing . . . I feel blessed that both times my cancers were caught early. Please get your mammogram and see your dermatologist. Early detection takes the fear out of a cancer diagnosis."

Alison Rubin

Alison got through her chemotherapy using techniques she'd learned as a yoga teacher of over 25 years. "Be still," she would tell herself during three-hour stretches of treatment. "Be open to the moment." Now she's starting a series of yoga classes in Spokane designed for women with breast cancer. The eight-week series will teach students to gently stretch and strengthen their bodies while learning to relax. "Knowing that you have cancer can be scary," Rubin says. "Yoga has made the difference between me getting well with ease and the possibility of struggling through the cancer."
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/jul/14/an-escape-from-cancer/

Deborah Lewis

In this article for the LA Times, cancer survivor Deborah Lewis describes living - "well" or not - as the best revenge. She addresses an issue familiar to many with cancer, the implication from those around them that they got sick because of lifestyle choices. "They must have done something wrong, their diet must be flawed or they are overweight or drink too much or don't drink enough," she writes. Lewis, who had always maintained a healthy lifestyle, asks that we suspend judgment against those who get cancer. "We know too much, and it is perfectly understandable that we are greedy for every bit of life and health we can grab," she says. "But there should also be room to grab onto the things that make life joyful and fun. Perhaps the trick is to acknowledge that there is no magic formula for keeping our bodies going. We're all guessing here."
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-cancerfirstperson6-2009jul06,0,2407853.story

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

Posted on July 14, 2009 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Frank McCourt

This week brought the news that Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes, has passed away from metastatic melanoma. After moving from Limerick, Ireland to New York City at the age of 19, McCourt taught high school English for nearly 30 years before writing his childhood memoirs in his mid-60s. "I think there's something about the Irish experience -- that we had to have a sense of humor or die," McCourt once told an interviewer. "That's what kept us going -- a sense of absurdity, rather than humor."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/books/20mccourt.html?pagewanted=1&em

Ryan Tomoff
Ryan Tomoff, a 14-year-old native of Annapolis, Maryland, has already faced cancer three times in a short number of years: his acute lymphoblastic leukemia, first diagnosed at the age of 2, has recurred twice, once in 2002 and again in 2004. Now Ryan is a regional ambassador for Hyundai's Hope on Wheels, which raises money for cancer research. Says Dr. Aziza Shad, chief of the department of pediatrics at the hospital where Ryan was treated, "He was a pillar of hope for himself, for his parents, and no matter what happened, (he) remained positive . . . He's gone back to a normal life and he gets the most out of life. It's a very thrilling feeling; it's a wonderful feeling to see him stand up there."
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2009/07/20-25/3-time-cancer-survivor-shares-story-offers-hope.html

Pamela's Abuelita

In a comment on last week's edition of With You, We Stand, reader Pamela shared a link to a blog entry where she remembers her grandmother, who passed away from colon cancer in 2007. "My grandma isn't around to see how clumsy my daughter is, just like her mom," Pamela writes. "She won't be around for Natalie's quinceanera. She won't be sitting on the second row of her wedding. But I know that forever and always she'll be looking down at us smiling. This is who I'm writing for. This is my muse. My inspiration. My Abuelita."
http://pamelaperez.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/grandmother/

Adam Yauch
This week also brought the news that Adam Yauch, better known to many as MCA of the Beastie Boys, has cancer of the salivary gland. Yauch announced the news in a video posted to the band's Web site; their upcoming tour has been cancelled so he can undergo surgery for the rare, though usually curable, form of the disease. "It is a little setback, a pain in the ass, but this is very treatable in most cases," Yauch says in the video. "And they've caught it early, so that's the good news. So that's what's up."
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20090720/beastie-boy-adam-yauch-has-salivary-gland-cancer

As always, we invite you to share the stories that inspire and motivate you in the comments below.

Posted on July 21, 2009 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Faye Harris

In a piece for the Huffington Post entitled "Unemployed Due to Illness, Glad to Be Alive," Faye Harris tells her cancer story. At 51, Harris was diagnosed with rectal cancer and wound up losing her accountant position at Emory University Hospital. In spite of everything she's been through since her diagnosis, Harris says she's happier now than before: "I have to get up and say every morning I'm alive. Being above ground is a good thing . . . Even though I'm suffering, people in some places have it a little worse, so get up off your butt and start your day."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/27/unemployed-due-to-illness_n_244297.html

Judy Elsley

This article out of Ogden, Utah, tells the story of British professor, Judy Elsley, who after facing cancer at the age of 23 realized "she was mortal, life was short, and if there were things she wanted to do, she had better get on and do them." After finding her way to Weber State University in 1990, Elsley became the leader of several campus programs, found inspiration working with nontraditional students, and even became an expert quilter. "Having gone through something like Hodgkins, there wasn't much else that was very scary to me," she says in the piece. "So when I thought of taking the risk of giving up my job, selling all my stuff in England, gathering up my money and coming over here on a visitor's visa, I just said: 'Go for it.' And I've pretty much had that attitude ever since."
http://www.standard.net/live/news/179247

Kaylin Marie

Kaylin's blog, "Cancer is Hilarious: Terminally Illin'," covers her treatment and recovery after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. With raw honesty and plenty of humor, Kaylin provides an amazing look at the experience twenty-somethings with cancer face when they "refuse to go the way of headscarves and hospital gowns." She writes in her most recent entry, "Life after cancer is a wonderful and terrifying thing - my body feels stronger with every passing day, but my psyche is taking quite the beating . . . Though chemo was the toughest trial of my life, I was able to revert to a safe, catatonic state in which I had no responsibility other than getting well. Now I've got to start living again."
http://cancerisnotfunny.blogspot.com/

Jack Beckman
This story out of Sonoma, California tells the story of Jack Beckman, a cancer survivor and professional drag racer, who now spends his free time visiting the cancer ward at his local hospital to help fellow patients through the treatment process. He tells his story honestly: "I am the same person I was before, with 10 percent less energy. Somber? Yes, I think that's a good word for it. I'm a little bit somber about it. I don't have the same edge I had before . . . Anyone who has cancer or who has survived cancer should continue to do what they find gives them joy. And drag racing gives me my joy."
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090725/NEWS/907259962?Title=Cancer-survivor-Jack-Beckman-Drag-racing-gives-me-joy-

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

Posted on July 28, 2009 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dana Jennings
If you haven't read Dana Jennings occasional guest entries on the NYT's Well Blog, now's a great time to start. Jennings has been blogging about his experiences since being diagnosed with prostate cancer. In his most recent entry, he writes about gratitude: "I'm well past the anger that I felt after my diagnosis, but I still get frustrated sometimes by the physical challenges I face in the wake of prostate cancer, wishing that by mid-afternoon my brain wouldn't become a test pattern as my body begs for a nap," he says. "Gratitude is an antidote to the dark voice of illness that whispers to us, that insists that all we have become is our disease. Living in the shadow of cancer has granted me a kind of high-definition gratitude. I've found that when you're grateful, the world turns from funereal gray to incandescent Technicolor."
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/jennings/

Megan Engle-Shroeder

In a comment on last week's "With You, We Stand," one of SU2C's followers on Facebook, Megan Engle-Shroeder, shared her story. "I'm battling skin cancer while pregnant and it's a lot tougher than I lead on at times," she wrote. "My reality is looking at my scars . . . the eye-opening part is it opens your eyes to the true value of life and how fragile, precious and unappreciated it is."

Deborah Marqui

An article in the Chicago Tribune profiles Deborah Marqui, who retreated to her two-acre garden during recovery from two battles with cancer, and has now opened up the space as a "healing garden" for others facing the same struggle. "I'm not a master gardener; these are not formal gardens," she says. "But I don't look at it as work. I found that when I was in the gardens, I lost track of time and had no thoughts of cancer and whether it would come back . . . I see this as a gift from God that I can share with others."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-healing-garden-w-zone-29-jul29,0,5064865.story

Alec and Vananh Martinez

In this moving tribute out of Oregon, a community remembers Alec Martinez, age three, who recently passed away from an ependymoma brain tumor. Alec was diagnosed a few months after his mother, Vananh, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. "Last year, around this time, Vananh's duties as a mom changed," said Alec's uncle Duyanh. "She was diagnosed with cancer and it changed her ability to be a mom a little bit. After several months of therapy and treatment, Alec was diagnosed with his own cancer. Vananh wiped her tears away and went onto another level as a mom. From that day on, you would never see her complaining or talking about herself. That showed me a lot about her strength."
http://beavertonvalleytimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=124896930052302200

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

Posted on August 4, 2009 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ron Mutka
Cancer survivor Ron Mutka has turned what some might call an unusual hobby, crocheting, into a source of comfort for cancer patients in his community of Loveland, Colorado. During treatment at McKee Medical Center, Mutka crocheted scarves as gifts for the hospital staff; now that he's recovered, he makes pink scarves for women going through breast cancer treatment. "Just tell them some old fart made it," he told the staff before handing them out. Of the patients who receive his anonymous gifts, he says, "I saw those women lose their hair and thought it must be hard for them. It just makes you feel good to do it."
http://www.reporterherald.com/features/Feature-Story.asp?section=Neighbors&ID=24398

Bits of Myself

Bits of Myself is the blog of a new mom undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She details the side-effects of her chemo and the struggle to keep parenting the way she wants honestly, and with plenty of humor. "the nurses are great so far," she writes in one entry. "he pharmacist = FAIL. it took foreverrrrrr to get my pain meds, and frankly they're no better than what i take at home. one likes to imagine that at least while in the hospital, pain might be better managed. ahem."
http://bitsofmyself.com/

Kristi

In a comment on last week's With You, We Stand, a reader named Kristi wrote in to share her story. "At age 24 I was diagnosed with maligament melanoma," she says. At the time I had a 1 year old and a 6 week old baby. I was scared out of my mind and didn't know what to do. Cancer really made me look at myself and do a lot of changing. I no longer fret over the little things and I appreciate everyone around me . . . with the love I had for my kids i was armored with the determination to become a survivor. I have been clear of all disease for about six months. I don't know what will happen five years from now. But I do know I will fight with all my heart and continue the fight against this disease."

Dawn Anderson

After facing basal cell carcinoma two years ago, Dawn Anderson of Gilbert, Arizona decided to fight back - with style. The 35-year-old created a website, SunBling.com, to sell handcrafted sun-sensitive jewelry that changes colors when exposed to direct sunlight. Bracelets are $7, necklaces $14, and a portion of all proceeds goes to skin cancer research. "It's really just an awareness thing," she says. "I don't ever want another girl to have to go through this. That's kind of what prompted me to get going with all of this."
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/142716

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

Posted on August 11, 2009 4:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Erica Rex

In a blog post for the New York Times, Erica Rex, diagnosed last year with breast cancer, looks at the high cost of cancer care. Her piece, "Cancer I Can't Afford," offers a firsthand perspective on managing the exorbitant co-pays and bills that come from treatments including a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Eventually Rex and her boyfriend decided to move to the UK. "Finding out I had breast cancer came as a shock," she writes. "But the really rude awakening was learning I'm not middle class anymore."
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/cancer-i-cant-afford/

Amelia Frahm
This article out of Decatur, Alabama looks at a mom who, following a mastectomy, was inspired to write a children's book to explain "why Mommy always seemed to be feeling bad or grumpy." The mother of two wrote "Tickles Tabitha's Cancer-tankerous Mommy" and later founded her own publishing company, which sells the book. "Companies told me they didn't think there was a market for children's books about moms with cancer," she said. "But that was 15 years ago, and now things have changed . . . The main thing is I really want people to know that there is a children's book and cancer education program out there."
http://www.wkrg.com/raw_news/article/survivor-writes-kids-book-to-explain-cancer/268379/Aug-17-2009_3-07-am/

Joanne Munding
In a comment on last week's edition of With You, We Stand, Joanne Munding shared some inspiring words: "Being diagnosed is not the end, sometimes it is the beginning. I have been diagnosed several times and each time I fought back, but you know what? We are not victims, we are not to be pitied! We are survivors and thrivers!"

Ann Marie Della Fera
This article looks at kidney cancer survivor Ann Marie Della Fera, who in the months following removal of her cancerous kidney was inspired to record a CD of covers from the '40s to today. Now, having completed a lifelong dream, she offers the CD for free in return for a donation to the Kidney Cancer Association. "It's about how I can affect other people - getting the word out about kidney cancer and getting the word out about finding your passion," she said. "Everybody has a dream. You don't want to be at the end of your life and say, 'Why didn't I learn to cook? Why didn't I go to Spain or learn to horseback ride? Don't live life with regrets."
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090816/ENCORE01/908159966/-1/OPINION01

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

Posted on August 18, 2009 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brian Nelson

Writing for the NYT Well Blog, Brian Nelson provides a window into an aspect of cancer many people are unaware of: changes in appearance. After being diagnosed and treated for head and neck cancer, he suffers from chronic facial swelling. He writes, "My neighbor's 3-year-old daughter treats me just like everyone else, someone to flirt with! So if you see a slightly hobbled, melon-headed man wearing a hat, walking toward you with a stick, just say, 'Hi, it's a great day, isn't it?' And I'll say, 'Yep, it's a great day,' and feel it too."
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/when-cancer-changes-your-appearance/?em

Marge Lees

Marge, who we featured in SUTV last winter, recently updated us on her struggle with cancer. "It will be a year [since diagnosis with colorectal cancer] in September," she said. "I'm still being closely monitored by my oncologist as she says it likes to come back. It's weird, but I don't feel like the same person I was. I feel like there has to be another purpose in life for me, but I just haven't figured it out. I want to do something, but I'm not sure what. I was so happy to see that one of the dream teams will be involved in pancreatic cancer. That is what my dad died from." To learn more about Marge's story, click here:
http://www.standup2cancer.org/sutv?sid=2&vid=3458

Sean Berry

After facing renal cell carcinoma, Houston Astros coach Sean Berry decided to change his life. Already accustomed to a rigorous workout routine, he now works out 30 to 45 minutes six times a week, does Pilates at home and has cut red meat out of his diet. "Recovery was the hardest part," he nores. "Being told I couldn't do things that are second nature: running, lifting weights and working out . . . I like being in the stadium. I'm not training to play. I'm training to be strong so I can do my job."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6578539.html

Faith Coleman

Faith Coleman describes her kidney cancer diagnosis as "one of the absolute greatest blessings" of her life. Coleman was diagnosed in 2003, when she was working as a nurse practitioner with no health insurance of her own. Now in remission, she's determined to help those without insurance get proper medical care through the free clinic she cofounded in Bunnell, Florida. "I have been given another chance, and I felt that it was important for me to make a difference and to help other people," she says.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/20/cnnheroes.faith.coleman/index.html

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

Posted on August 25, 2009 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

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.

Posted on September 1, 2009 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ernie Harwell

This article from the Detroit News looks at the life of Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell, who for 19 years announced games at Tiger Stadium. Harwell was recently diagnosed with incurable cancer of the bile duct. Writes Neal Rubin, "Listeners always had the sense that Harwell was the nicest man on the planet. They were correct. He has a knack for deflecting and refocusing awe . . .You want to talk about him, but he wants to hear about you. He's a truly humble soul who has accepted last week's diagnosis with the same grace he accepted all the good things to come his way."
http://detnews.com/article/20090908/OPINION03/909080329/1005/LIFESTYLE/Ernie-Harwell-accepts-cancer-news-as-humbly-as-accolades

Dan Barry

In an article for the New York Times, Dan Barry, who has been through chemo twice in the past decade, writes about the effects that cancer treatment had on his mind. Arguing with the concept of "chemo brain," he writes: "Chemotherapy transformed me into a bald guy whose pallor was offset only by the hint of terror in his eyes. But the chemo also wiped away the muddle, revealing the world in all its mundane glory. I won't tell you that I wept at the sight of a puppy. But I did linger over my sleeping daughter to watch her tiny chest rise and fall. I did savor the complexities of a simple olive. I did notice fireflies, those dancing night sparks I had long ago stopped seeing."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/health/01case.html?_r=3&ref=health

Nina Gleason

A piece out of Visalia, California looks at the incredible life of Nina Gleason, a former Army spy turned whitewater-rafting chef. Now Gleason, who was treated for cancer three years ago, is helping to recruit participants for a long-term study aimed at identifying the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. "You just want your life to have a different quality" after surviving cancer, Gleason says. "You don't want to waste any of your time."
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20090908/NEWS01/909080322/Plucky+cancer+survivor+pushes+participation+in+research

Cindy Selig Sabin

In a Facebook comment on last week's edition of "With You, We Stand," Cindy Selig Sabin shared her story. She wrote, "My dear mother passed away August 5th from colon cancer and fought the good fight. Never let cancer rule her life. She was diagnosed at 83 and given three weeks to live. She lived to 85, an amazing quality of life all the way to her last breath. I say, how beautiful that I was there as she took her last breath, as she was there as I took my first. I will ALWAYS stand up to cancer."

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

Posted on September 11, 2009 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kathryn Joosten

Kathryn Joosten, two-time Emmy winner for her role on "Desperate Housewives," recently revealed that she is facing lung cancer a second time, after triumphing over the disease in 2001. Joosten, who quit smoking the day she was diagnosed for the first time, hopes to raise awareness of the disease and erase some of its stigma. "The first thing everyone says is, 'Did you smoke?' Yeah, I smoked," she says. "I got addicted because the tobacco companies add additives to their tobacco to make it more addictive. I'm damned mad at all of them. But that stigma has to go away. No one deserves lung cancer."
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/14/kathryn.joosten.cancer/

Cindy Castner

In a blog for readingeagle.com, breast cancer survivor Cindy Castner writes about her experiences facing down the disease twice. She documents honestly the feelings she experiences while undergoing what so many women before her have, writing, "One good day, one bad day. The day of surgery draws nearer and it gets more real. Today I spent wonderful, precious time with my granddaughter. I hold her close and look into her beautiful face. I wish and I hope and I pray that I get to see her grow up. I think about how hard this is to believe. Is this really happening?"
http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=157730

Nicole Rowe

Rowe, 40, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and learned she would need to undergo a double mastectomy. Her response? A trip to Atlantic City to enter a women's poker tournament. During the succession of card games, Rowe encouraged other female participants to get sonograms alongside their yearly mammograms. In the end, she took home the second-place prize of $11,000. "The whole reason was to keep my mind off of reality, which was cancer," Rowe said. "There was a buzz in the casino . . . I had strangers coming up to me, hugging me, telling me I was going to be all right."
http://news.aol.com/article/cancer-patient-nicole-rowe-finds/671972

Brian Moran

This article out of Westmont, Illinois looks at the life of Brian Moran, who, after being diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 17, decided to dedicate his life to cancer treatment. Now, as medical director of the Chicago Prostate Center, Moran helps men every day toward earlier diagnosis of prostate cancer. "Over the last few years, we are seeing a lot more men coming in for the testing now than they were a few years ago, and coming in earlier for it," Moran notes in the piece. "A lot of is that their wives and girlfriends are encouraging them to get tested."
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/westmont/newsnow/x2023997669/Cancer-survivor-dedicates-life-to-detection

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

Posted on September 22, 2009 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

William Safire
Safire, formerly a Nixon speechwriter and a Pulitzer Prize-winning political columnist for the New York Times, passed away Sunday from pancreatic cancer at the age of 79. Safire was also the author of "On Language," a New York Times Magazine column that looked at the origins and meanings of words and phrases. In an NYT obituary, he is remembered for his witty commentary and his indomitable humor - even in the face of criticism from his opponents.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/us/28safire.html?_r=1&hp


Andrew Skoda
Skoda, a high school junior from Chicago, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the age of 7. After a recurrence at the age of 11 and multiple surgeries, he began writing about the ups and downs of his treatment in hopes that his story could help others going through the same thing. Today his story is part of a book called "The Little Prince Who Taught a Village to Sing," and proceeds from its sale benefit the Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center. He says, "I wrote about what happened and all the feelings that I was going through from the day I was diagnosed until the last surgery to try and calm kids down and give them a point of view of what might happen and show them everything is okay."
http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1790620,092809stellarstudent.article


Sarah Joanis
In this article out of Chicago, Joanis, who is facing a recurrence of ovarian cancer while pregnant, shares a dilemma that one in every 1,000 women in the US face: whether to begin cancer treatment while carrying a baby. Joanis eventually elected to have her left ovary removed at 28 weeks into the pregnancy; after her daughter was born, she had a hysterectomy. "I was supposed to be OK," she wrote on her blog (sarahjoanis.blogspot.com). "I was supposed to go on with life with one less fallopian tube. Big deal. But here I am now. Standing at the start of what is going to be the longest and hardest journey of my life."
http://www.freep.com/article/20090928/FEATURES08/909280302/1033/Pregnancy-and-cancer-collide--creating-agonizing-choices-for-couple


Charles Snodgrass
In a comment on last week's "With You, We Stand," reader Charles Snodgrass shared his story. "I was married in September 2002 and the following June I was hit with prostate cancer," he wrote. "I was only 47 years old. I'm 54 now and things are still okay, thanks to the doctor who treated me and helped me along when I didn't think I could take anymore. I was depressed and thought my life was over, but it wasn't, I have learned to live life to the fullest and enjoy every day."


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

Posted on September 29, 2009 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Susan Snodgrass and Shahla Masood

In this article out of Florida, two physicians who have faced breast cancer share their stories. Shahla Masood is the medical director of UF-Shands Jacksonville's breast health center; Susan Snodgrass is director of breast imaging at Shands. In a talk about breast cancer detection and treatment, Snodgrass reminded women that symptoms of breast cancer may vary, so it's important to discuss any changes in your breasts with your doctor; Masood noted that while a breast cancer diagnosis sounds dire, it's important to stay positive. "There are always worse things that can happen to us," she said. "Breast cancer compared to other cancers is a piece of cake."
http://jacksonville.com/interact/blog/jeremy_cox/2009-10-01/health_caring_two_physicians_share_breast_cancer_battle_stories

Dana Jennings

In another contribution to the NYT's Well Blog, Jennings writes about the depression he is facing following treatment for an aggressive case of prostate cancer. Noting that as many as 25% of cancer patients develop depression, Jennings writes, "This isn't about sadness or melancholy. It's more profound than that . . . Cancer feels bleaker than other diseases. Even though my health keeps improving, and there's a good chance that I'm cancer free, I still feel stalked, as if the cancer were perched on my shoulder like some unrepentant imp."
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/after-cancer-treatment-waiting-for-the-sadness-to-lift/?hp

Mark Herzlich

Facing down a diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma at the age of 22, Herzlich, a linebacker for the Boston College Eagles, recently shared his story with ESPN. His oncologist is almost certain the cancer is gone, but has yet to do a biopsy; meanwhile, Herzlich is happy to be back on campus in the company of his teammates, though he cannot play - yet. "Being part of the football team was probably the biggest part," he said. "Being welcomed back into the football team the way I was can lift anyone's spirits."
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/ncf/news/story?id=4526574

Alexandra Avakian

Avakian, a photojournalist by profession, has been documenting her battle with breast cancer in a series of self-portraits. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease in 2007, Avakian has photographed everything from her treatment to wig-shopping in Virginia. She writes, "Cancer puts everything into perspective. It makes life's annoyances smaller, and life's pleasures more intense. It can also increase one's sense of determination . . . In tribute to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and those struggling with breast cancer, I wanted to share a few pictures from those months."
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/behind-18/

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

Posted on October 6, 2009 3:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Budge and Arlene Brown

After losing his wife Arlene to breast cancer in 2005, Budge Brown, a Napa Valley winemaker, found a unique away to raise awareness of the disease - his Cleavage Creek wines, which feature the faces of breast cancer survivors on their bottles and benefit breast cancer research. The Cleavage Creek wines include a cabernet sauvignon, petit sirah and cabernet-syrah, all award-winners. The stories of the women featured on this year's Cleavage Creek wines are available on his vineyard's website. "Wasn't any grand plan," Brown says of the project. "It all just came together. A lot of wines have forgettable names, but people remember 'Cleavage.'"
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,560440,00.html

Tess Gallagher

Gallagher, a noted poet and the widow of famed short story writer Raymond Carver, shares how her battle with cancer "quickened her clock," giving her the courage to take care of her terminally ill mother, buy the cottage in Ireland she'd always dreamed of and go toe-to-toe with a publishing giant to preserve Carver's legacy. "Having cancer made me realize, 'you better get your dream accomplished.' Right now is the moment," she says. "I think I take a lot more chances," she said. "Cancer gave me all kinds of courage and quickened my clock."
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_tess_gallagher.html

Dominic Osorio

Dominic is a 7-year-old boy from Maryland fighting brain cancer - but thanks to some creative storytelling on the part of his mom, Nicole, he's come to think he's a superhero fighting evil with every difficult procedure or treatment. Inspired by his story, a friend raised funds to create a comic book about the superhero "Dominator," who wears a red body suit with a big blue D on the chest. Though Dominic continues to fight against the tumor - and the forces of evil - his grandmother reports that he isn't giving up. "He has been fighting for two years, and he is still fighting," she said. "He always told us to believe. We are still hoping there is one more treatment to try."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,562240,00.html

Gloria Mallory and Becky

In this moving piece out of South Dakota, writer Brady Mallory describes his mother Gloria's heroism in facing breast cancer as well as the same heroism he recently saw in a woman named Becky. "She had just had chemotherapy the day before . . . not once did she say her condition was an injustice," he writes. "Instead, and gracefully so, she said, 'You can choose to stay in bed every day, or you can choose to get out of bed and fight. I choose to fight.'" He adds, "As a 22-year-old man, my hero is still very much my mother."
http://media.www.sdsucollegian.com/media/storage/paper484/news/2009/10/07/OpinionEditorial/Mother.Displays.Heroism.In.Her.Breast.Cancer.Battle-3795834.shtml

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

Posted on October 14, 2009 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Peter Criss

Criss, the original drummer in KISS, is celebrating a year since completing treatment for breast cancer. The disease is almost always seen in women; male cases represent less than one percent a year. That's why Criss is helping to raise awareness of the disease in men, who he says can feel embarrassed about the possibility of having the disease. To men who notice lumps in their breasts, Criss says: "Don't sit around playing Mr. Tough Guy. Don't say 'It's going to go away.' It might not and you might not see life anymore and how beautiful that is."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/15/male.breast.cancer/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Stefanie Spielman

This touching article out of Ohio looks at Stefanie Spielman and her husband Chris, a former linebacker for Ohio State. In 1998 Stefanie was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the disease has recurred multiple times since then. In the piece, Chris celebrates his wife's courage in facing what he calls "her biggest challenge" yet again. Since 1999, the Spielmans have helped raise over $6.5 million for cancer research. "They're strong," says Spielman's former coach. "It's easy for us to say, 'That's how you should be.' It's a heck of a lot harder to be that way -- and they are. They're amazing."
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2009/10/20/1A_SPIELMANS.ART_ART_10-20-09_D1_UOFDQTF.html?sid=101

Alan Margolies

At the age of 56, Margolies was diagnosed with prostate cancer during a routine physical for a life insurance policy. Now, three years later, he appears to be cancer-free, and is leading a prostate cancer support group in his town of Jacksonville, Florida. Thirty-five men came out for the group's first meeting, which connected newly diagnosed men with men who have been through prostate cancer treatment. "To be with other men who have dealt with prostate cancer is an opportunity and a privilege," he says. "In battling cancer your mental attitude is crucial. It's important to feel positive."
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-10-20/story/prostate_cancer_survivor_leads_new_support_group

Marianne Godfrey
This article out of Atlanta remembers Godfrey, who faced down breast cancer twice in her life - once in the sixties, when she was 32, and again 12 years ago when she was 68. Godfrey devoted her life to educating the public and raising money for the American Red Cross, and was a familiar face at American Cancer Society fundraising events; she passed away last week from congestive heart failure. "She was an unbelievable fighter," her son says. "If anybody ever had room to complain, moan or grown about her circumstances, it was her. But she never did."
http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/marianne-godfrey-80-offered-166389.html

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

Posted on October 20, 2009 4:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

John Gibbs

This article out of North Carolina tells the story of Beau's Buddies, a nonprofit providing a wide range of services and support for families facing cancer, and particularly of Dr. John Gibbs, a founding member of the organization who faced a cancer diagnosis himself in 2006. "I treated thousands of patients before, but now, when I look at the disease process after being a patient myself, I see that there is a medical aspect of treatment and a psychological and emotional aspect to treatment," Gibbs says. "I've started to learn that the heart is as important as the medicine, particularly with a disease like cancer."
http://www.reflector.com/news/beaus-buddies-gather-to-fight-cancer-918143.html

Jodi and Cici Beutel

Jodi Beutel, who owns a hair salon in Rochester, New York, was inspired to take action following the deaths of her mother-in-law, Cici, and a longtime client, Kim, from breast cancer. Six years ago, Jodi began an annual "Cut-a-thon" designed to raise money for breast cancer research; haircuts cost $15, and all proceeds are donated to the Breast Cancer Coalition. In this article, Jodi recalls shaving Kim's head for her when chemotherapy began to make her hair fall out. "We cried while we did it," Jodi says. "We hugged. I was glad I could do it for her."
http://www.13wham.com/guides/health/story/Haircuts-Help-Fight-Breast-Cancer/HHhUYHDTnU2wR-d0sKD6CQ.cspx

Laurren Smith

Laurren Smith is a Dallas-area 13-year-old facing down a rare form of cancer. When her doctors warned her family she might not make it to Christmas, the community rallied around her to create Christmas in October. Their parade included fancy cars, trucks and a Christmas-themed float done in hot pink and zebra stripes - Laurren's favorite colors. "We believe that a miracle is still possible," says one of the parade's organizers. "But we believe that part of the miracle is about how many people's lives a 13-year-old girl can touch."
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-earlyChristmas_26met.ART.State.Edition1.4bace7a.html

Heather Insley Klein

In a Facebook comment on last week's "With You, We Stand," Heather shared her story: "I stand up for my aunt who has a crazy stomach cancer usually found in men over 70. She's fighting like mad! I also stand up for all the women in my life who were diagnosed with breast cancer and so far beaten it. I love you all so much."

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

Posted on October 27, 2009 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Elena, Brooke and Keith Desserich

In this heartbreaking journal, parents Brooke and Keith Desserich remember their young daughter's fight with brain cancer, as well as the notes and drawings Elena left hidden around their home in the last months of her life. "That night, the doctors sent us home for rest, but after they told us that our daughter had only 135 days to live, sleep wasn't in our plans," Keith writes in one entry. "Still we smiled, wiped the tears from our eyes and tried to pretend that everything was all right."
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33505113/ns/today-today_books/

Chuck Biscuits

Biscuits, punk drummer for bands like Black Flag and Danzig, has passed away from throat cancer at the age of 44. Known for his energetic drumming style, Biscuits - born Charles Montgomery - was influential in both the punk and metal genres. "It came very natural to him," said the drummer for the Descendants, Bill Stevenson. "He was hugely influential without really being as 'famous' as drummers who were actually much less influential musically."
http://www.zimbio.com/Chuck+Biscuits/articles/RvWU9dtSUA3/Chuck+Biscuits+Drummer+Black+Flag+Danzig+Dies

Rick Lyke

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 47, Lyke, from Charlotte, NC, decided to fight back in a unique way - he founded "Pints for Prostates," an organization that reaches out to men on the importance of prostate screening through beer festivals and events held in pubs. "The pink ribbon campaign has really made it possible for women to talk about breast cancer, so we're trying to do the same thing for guys," Lyke said. "I'm hoping that there's a whole bunch of other guys out there who'll be able to experience the same thing [as me] -- see their families grow up and grow old."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/30/cancer.pints.prostates/index.html

Kelly Molineaux

Molineaux's story comes to us from Great Britain. The mother of two was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 25 and is the youngest cancer patient ever to undergo a mastectomy at the hospital where she's being treated. The social worker made it home from treatment just in time to celebrate her twin sons' birthdays. "I hope that my story will encourage other women, who might think that they are too young for cancer, to check themselves -- it could save their life," she said.
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/north-warwickshire-news/2009/10/31/nuneaton-mum-battling-to-beat-breast-cancer-tells-her-story-92746-25054729/

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

Posted on November 3, 2009 1:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Abdul-Jabbar, who played in the NBA for twenty years and earned six championships and six MVP awards, recently went public with his battle with chronic myeloid leukemia. Abdul-Jabbar first learned he had the disease last year. "I think that someone like me, who has a public presence, because people pay attention to what's going on in my life, can help save some lives," he said. "I want to get the message across: this condition is treatable. I want to get people to go to doctors, take the medication. This disease can be managed and you can continue to live a very meaningful life."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/sports/basketball/10rhoden.html?_r=3&hp

Barbara Gray
Diagnosed with breast cancer was diagnosed with breast cancer around this time last year. Initially after completing treatment, Gray had a hard time embracing the term "survivor." Now, in a story in her local paper, she talks about recovering from both the disease and its after-effects - and learning to reach out to others to move forward with her own life. "I would just really urge people to do their annual mammograms," she said. "If you catch it in the early stages, then your prognosis is much better . . . This has been an exciting year for me. It hasn't been a year out of my life. It's been a great adventure."
http://www.theolympian.com/living/story/1029347.html

Nancy Thompson

This uplifting piece out of the Berkshires tells the story of a group of local cancer survivors who use humor to, in one member's words, "thrive and not just survive." The group's uplifting and educational events have grown from about 80 people in attendance to over 300. "There were just hundreds and hundreds of people there," said Thompson of the event that inspired the group. "And they were all having a good time. They were talking and laughing and eating. I saw that cancer doesn't have to take away from you."
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_13744726

Robin Pelka

In a comment on last week's "With You, We Stand" entry, Denis J. Lanza shared his story: "My amazing, beautiful, loving and unique fiance, Robin Pelka, died on Saturday, September 19th at the age of 34 of brain cancer. I had already begun writing a blog in her memory at the time of her death. It is an account of the woman who changed my life forever. She is my soulmate and the love of my life. Please stop by and read about my angel. Thank you and God Bless you all."
http://denisandrobin.blogspot.com

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

Posted on November 10, 2009 5:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dominic Osorio

A while back we shared the story of Dominic Osorio, a 7-year-old boy from Maryland fighting brain cancer. Thanks to some creative storytelling on the part of his mom, Nicole, Dom came to think of himself s a superhero fighting evil with every difficult procedure or treatment. Inspired by his story, a friend raised funds to create a comic book about the superhero "Dominator," who wears a red body suit with a big blue D on the chest. Dominic recently lost his battle with the disease. "He always told us to believe," his mother said.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,575302,00.html

Cheryl Snyder

This article our of New Port Richey, Florida, profiles Cheryl Snyder, who after beating cancer herself began the Diva Hope Foundation, which raises money for free breast, cervical and uterine cancer screenings for women in her area. "We just started this because of the need for it. There is nothing that local does that," she says. "The other foundations are great, but we want to take care of our community."
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/From-cancer-patient-to-crusader/d-wu0nYinEm0V7ytbGWK0Q.cspx

Janice Stompro

After undergoing a double mastectomy and four months of chemo, Janice Stompro decided to fight cancer again in another way: by compiling and selling cookbooks to raise money for research. For ten years, Stompro has released an annual "Recipes for Research" compilation. Recipes are submitted by both friends and celebrities, including five former first ladies. "I consider myself one of the lucky ones," Stompro says.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_13786511

Dave Jacobs

In this piece out of Seattle, friends and family remember firefighter Dave Jacobs, who recently passed away from esophageal cancer. Jacobs had spoken about his battle with cancer at meetings of the State Council of Firefighters, and fought to prove that his form of cancer, as well as others, were occupational hazards. "My heart goes out to the other firefighters who have yet to be diagnosed," he said during his chemotherapy treatment. "This job is a killer."
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412118_jacobs13.html?source=mypi

Posted on November 17, 2009 5:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dax Locke

Dax, a two-year-old with acute myeloid leukemia, may not have much longer to live, according to his doctors. So his community of Washington, Illinois has come together to bring a little early holiday cheer to Dax and his family, putting up Christmas decorations before Halloween and keeping them up straight through the holiday itself. "This is a family who stayed united and formed a team to help Dax," one neighbor says. "They gave everything they had. We're trying to do the same thing."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/18/decorate.dax/index.html

DeAnn Chatlosh

Chatlosh, a breast cancer survivor in remission for about eight years, is so passionate about finding a cure that she's even decorated an entire room of her house in all pink. She participates in walks to raise money for research, and even organized a craft and vendor show to support the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. She and her daughters are halfway to their $5,400 goal for the walk in June. "We want to find a cure," she says. "I've created a history for my daughters."
http://www.southtownstar.com/neighborhoodstar/tinleypark/1895732,112209TPbeat.article

Kairol Rosenthal

In a moving piece for the NYT Well Blog, Rosenthal writes about the impact thyroid cancer has had on her memory. The 37-year-old's account of how cancer has "reconfigured my body and mind" is a moving and honest testament to the powerful side effects of both the disease and its treatment. "My big leap is not quite as glamorous as running a marathon or climbing a mountain after treatment," she writes. "But it is hard work just the same. Exposing my rickety mind is getting slightly easier with time. Hopefully I'll have decades to practice."
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/when-cancer-muddles-the-mind/

Sophia Mohler

Sophia, a seven-year-old who just finished eight weeks of treatment for brain cancer, recently received a special gift courtesy of the Long Beach, CA Pink Hearts fund. The Pink Hearts were able to provide her with a new wig made from hair donated by Long Beach students. "We just want her to feel good about herself and be able to smile all the time," says Sophia's mother.
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=11555576

As always, we welcome you to share your stories with us in the comments below.

Posted on November 24, 2009 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Nitin Mongia

Mongia, a survivor of chronic myeloid leukemia and silver medalist at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, has turned his passion for sailing into a way to help his fellow cancer patients. Between hospital visits and chemotherapy sessions, Mongia takes patients out on his boat for a breath of fresh air. "Cancer may not always kill you, but it can leave you without any life," he says. What I do is help patients forget their daily hassles of medical tests and heavy medication for a while."
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Mongia-s-story--Fighting-cancer--sailing-to-hope/544680

Kathryn Brown

Brown, a two-time cancer survivor and deputy in the Bexar Counter Sheriff's Office in Texas, recently formed the Cancervive Foundation and hosted its first event, the Breast Cancer Awareness Motorcycle Bash. The fundraiser brought out a big crowd, including several biker chapters; Brown rides her own Harley Davidson to relieve stress. "You don't see very many minorities on the forefront trying to promote cancer awareness, so I wanted to be that trailblazer to let minorities know you don't have to be ashamed," she says.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/health/69537422.html

Randy Zisook and Jessica Neal

This Chicago Tribune article looks at the lives of two very different lung cancer patients. Zisook, diagnosed in 2007, is undergoing palliative care for the disease, which is terminal; Neal, a lifelong nonsmoker, had her tumor removed and is in remission. The two have teamed up to spread their message: that smoking kills, but lung cancer is also not just a smoker's disease. "There is a bond between cancer patients," Neal says. "You learn that life is precious, enjoy it while it lasts."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-lung-cancer-zones-18-nov18,0,5723649.story

Tyler Shipman

Shipman is an eighteen-year-old battling end stage cancer. He always dreamed of restoring his 1986 Pontiac Fiero. Now a group of Fiero lovers have joined forces to help him see that dream become a reality, contributing time and crucial parts to the project. "This weekend, the high school senior will sit back and watch his car take shape," the article's author writes. "His parents cannot believe what is happening. It has come down to time for Tyler. It means cherishing it tonight, teaching the rest of us to embrace it."
http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/27097/

As always, we welcome you to share your stories with us in the comments below.

Posted on December 1, 2009 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Jack Ganster

After facing brain cancer in 2003, 47-year-old Ganster decided to combine his love of the great outdoors with his desire to help other survivors. As co-founder of a new organization called Survivor's Outdoor Experience, he now gets to do just that, bringing cancer survivors of all ages the opportunity to learn about the benefits of healthy, active living. Classes start in January and will include yoga, healthy cooking classes, and a snowshoe demonstration. "I know that I may still face more complications from this potentially deadly disease, but as I returned from my exhilarating outing, I knew that life was not out to get me," Ganster said. "I was out to get life!"
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20091207/news/312079993

Ellie Othick-Bowmaker

Ellie is a 14-year-old girl from the UK who has been facing down cancer since 2007. Now the young patient has directed her efforts toward raising money for a children's brain tumor charity called Ali's Dream, recording three songs with her uncle, Glenn Coggin, and selling the CDs in local music stores for five pounds apiece, the majority of which will go to Ali's. "Ellie's brilliant," her uncle said. "She's doing well and her sense of humor is still there. We're all really proud of her."
http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/Ellies-on-song-for-childrens.5888686.jp

Jothy Rosenberg

At the age of 16, Rosenberg lost a leg to osteogenic sarcoma; three years later, he had two-fifths of his lungs removed. Now the two-time cancer survivor, who went on to become an accomplished athlete and found six technology companies, has written a memoir designed to help others overcome obstacles, "Who Says I Can't." "The book is really about when something bad happens to you -- whatever it is, it could be cancer, depression or getting a divorce -- you need to find tools to bounce back," said Rosenberg.
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/needham/2009/12/cancer_survivor_hopes_book_wil.html

Patricia Ross

Ross faced breast cancer twice, in 1997 and then again in 2008, and the second time around, finding herself unable to work because of treatment, it was her local Salvation Army that helped get her through financially, providing Christmas gifts for her kids. Now Ross is giving back, volunteering at the food bank in her local town and giving two Salvation Army coordinators angel pins. "They helped us, so we want to help them," she said. "Every one of those people care about you, it doesn't matter what your situation is. If I need help in the future, I'll know who to turn to."
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20091203/NEWS01/912030332

As always, we welcome you to share your stories with us in the comments below.

Posted on December 8, 2009 5:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bryant Gumbel

Last week, Gumbel, host of HBO's Real Sports, revealed that he was recovering from surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his chest cavity, near his lung. According to his spokesperson, Gumbel's prognosis is good; the tumor was not in the lung, as some previously believed. Gumbel was one of the first sports announcers to make the switch to general entertainment. His spokesperson added that he'd be back to work without missing a show.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2009-12-08-gumbel-tumor_N.htm

Rachel Flotard

Flotard, the lead singer and songwriter of the band Visqueen, took a break from her music for several years to care for her father as he fought prostate cancer. After his death in April, she threw herself into her music again, and Visqueen's new album Message to Garcia is full of songs she wrote during his illness. Surprisingly uplifting and upbeat, the album kept her "alive and normal during a completely abnormal time," Flotard says. You can hear some of the songs at the link below.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121402293

Chris Pablo

After battling cancer for 14 years, Pablo, a tireless advocate for cancer patients, recently passed away at the age of 59. He worked for 15 years as director of public affairs for Kaiser Permanente before going on to work in health policy law, and "gave hope to countless others with cancer, telling them they can survive and be productive." Among other things, Pablo arranged organ donor drives and worked with fellow leukemia patients to help them get through their treatment.
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20091210_chris_pablo_advocate_for_cancer_patients_dies_at_age_59.html

Joni Jasterzbski

After surviving stage IV breast cancer, Jasterzbski, of Wayne, New Jersey, was inspired by the random acts of kindness of total strangers she experienced during her treatment. Now she's "paying it forward" through the same organization that was so good to her, working with an organization called Hearts of Hope that provides hand-painted ceramic hearts and notes of support to cancer patients. "This past year has been incredibly hard and very draining emotionally for me and my family but creating these hearts has filled mine right back up with hope," she said.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/health/78940007.html

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

Posted on December 15, 2009 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Katie Widmar

One of the things Katie Widmar remembers most clearly about chemotherapy is the cold. The 22-year-old relied on a fleece blanket to keep her warm during her 2006 battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma, and now Widmar brings donated fleece blankets to the same oncology ward where she received treatment. "Christine Kosmeja, a 42-year-old with a bright smile and a bald head, confides that she's had a rough couple of days," the author of the article writes. "When she sees the blanket, she breaks down sobbing. 'It's perfect,' she says, pulling it around her shoulders."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-talk-mastony-blanketsdec30,0,2701115.story

James Mannett

This excellent Wall Street Journal article tells the story of 45-year-old Mannett, whose battle against a rare form of carcinoid cancer has made him an overnight expert in medical bills and insurance. He's gone so far as to schedule conference calls between his doctor and insurer and to negotiate lower fees from surgeons before operations. "Unless you go through something like this, you don't understand this stuff," he says. "I just assumed that when you have insurance and you have a bill, they pay it."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704718204574616181790811124.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_personalfinance

Dylan McElfresh

McElfresh, a track star at Wright State University, was shocked to learn he had testicular cancer in the spring of last year. Since his diagnosis and treatment, he has dedicated himself to sharing his story, both in order to raise cancer awareness and to spread a message of hope and optimism. "People ask a lot of questions about cancer and it's always a bad thing, there are never any good things that come from it," he says. "Everyone hears cancer and thinks the worst. It's not always the worst. It depends on the person you are, the will you have, how bad you have it, the doctors around, the support you get."
http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20100104/NEWS01/1040303

Kinsey Morrison

Morrison, another young adult from the Midwest, fought cancer as a five-year-old, facing down aplastic anemia. Now the 13-year-old she helps raise funds for cancer research by sharing her story at events sponsored by groups like the Red Cross, Make a Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society and Gilda's Club, a support group in Louisville for people of all ages with cancer. "There, we're just people," she says. "There might be a bald woman singing karaoke. Some people ask you how you're doing and it's like your cancer defines you. There, you can talk about things at other levels of your life. You're not cancer; you're you."
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100103/ZONE09/1030371/1008/NEWS01/Cancer+survivor+aids+Gilda+s+Club

As always, we welcome you to share your stories with us in the comments below.

Posted on January 5, 2010 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Brian McQuestion

McQuestion was 25 when he found out he had Ewing's sarcoma. Eight months of chemotherapy and five cancer-free years later, the 31-year-old now fundraises for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and other events that support cancer research. One of McQuestion's biggest events is the "Endure for a Cure" bike ride, which raised $25,000 in its first year. "I don't consider myself a hero, I am just raising money to fight cancer," he says. "Ultimately, cancer is treatable and research is critical to help save lives -- without research, treatments would not be found."
http://www.timesleader.com/features/25-year-old_cancer_survivor_rides_on__gives_back_01-05-2010.html

Alyssa Lewandowski and Kori Brown

Kori Brown, age 12, has a congenital blood disease; during trips to a local hospital for treatment she became friends with Alyssa Lewandowski, who was undergoing treatment for leukemia. Kori has gone on to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society in honor of her friend, and her family was recently featured on "Extreme Home Makeover"; they donated $50,000 of their winnings to help Kori launch her iroK Foundation, which helps families burdened by medical bills take care of day-to-day costs.
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_010232250.html?start:int=0

Doug Oxendine

Oxendine, an endurance sports enthusiast, recently learned he's facing a whole new kind of battle: he has blood cancer and is scheduled for a bone marrow transplant this spring. The 38-year-old Floridian has hiked 10 miles of the Grand Canyon, completed two triathlons and taken two 100-mile bike rides in the past two years. Now he's approaching his cancer treatment with the same endurance and temerity: "People would always ask me, 'how do you do it?' and I'd tell them that you just got to put one foot in front of the other," he says. "I can't slow down at this point; I have to keep going."
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-disney-marathon-advance-0109-20100108,0,3055963.story

Melanie Bone

In this fantastic blog post on the Palm Beach Post's website, Dr. Melanie Bone, a cancer survivor, talks about her New Year's resolutions. "Cancer makes us preciously aware of our own mortality. Many survivors 'over-live' and try to do everything 'right' to guarantee longevity. Certainly, living a healthier lifestyle will help . . . For cancer survivors and for the rest of the world, may you live each day in 2010 in a way that makes you proud. Taking it one day at a time is a respected time-honored approach."
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/askalocaldoctor/2010/01/resolutions-and-reminders-same-for-cancer-survivors/

As always, we welcome you to share your stories with us in the comments below.

Posted on January 12, 2010 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Michael C. Hall

The star of "Dexter," who recently won a Golden Globe for his role, also recently revealed that he has finished treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma and is doing "fine." At the Golden Globes, he joked about having a good excuse to wear a hat but didn't mention his illness in his acceptance speech. Later, he said, "When it's a matter of health, it is very much a personal matter," he said. "It was also nice to assure people that I was really on the road to recovery."
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/01/18/2010-01-18_michael_c_hall_globes_winner_for_dexter_doing_fine_in_his_battle_with_cancer.html

Tatyana Abrams

While being treated for Acute Mylogenous Leukemia at the age of 11, Abrams made a video about her experiences in the hospital for her friends so they could see what she was going through. The 13-year-old is now facing a recurrence of the disease and will probably need a bone marrow transplant. Of her experiences with cancer so far, she said, "I wore a hat because I didn't want anybody to see my baldness. I was very worried that my friends were going to treat me different. Then, once I took the hat off, I realized that they were fine with it. They didn't really care and so . . . if they didn't care, why should I?"
http://www.wickedlocal.com/avon/fun/entertainment/x532579831/Avon-youth-shares-cancer-story-with-Nick-News

Jen Bickel

Bickel was 36 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2008. In a column in the Centre Daily Times out of Pennsylvania, the former oncology nurse writes about her experiences facing the disease. "When I was diagnosed, sheer panic consumed me," she writes. "Questions flooded my mind. 'What am I going to do?' 'Am I going to die?' 'What about my family?' 'Do I carry the breast cancer gene?' 'Where would I seek treatment?' . . . I knew my treatment would be a long and sometimes painful journey, but a journey nonetheless."
http://www.centredaily.com/news/local/story/1733774.html

Teddy Pendergrass

R&B legend Teddy Pendergrass passed away this past week from colon cancer at the age of 59. Pendergrass' long career began when he rose to fame in the seventies as the lead singer for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and continued even after a car accident in 1982 left him paralyzed from the chest down. "Mr. Pendergrass's romantic approach was a touchstone for younger generations of R&B Romeos," writes the NYT. "Ahmir Thompson, from the hip-hop group the Roots, responded to news of Mr. Pendergrass's death on Twitter declaring, "Soul will never be the same."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/arts/music/15pendergrass.html?pagewanted=2

As always, we encourage you to share your stories with us in the comments below.

Posted on January 19, 2010 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Braeden Rockow

Six-year-old Braeden is the twelfth person in the world to fight a rare form of cancer that usually starts in the brain, but in his case appeared on his spinal cord. Doctors recently removed 95% of the tumor; the rest had to be left behind or Braeden would run the risk of paralysis. Twenty-eight radiation treatments followed, and Braeden has had a remarkably quick recovery. "He loves life, and one of the phrases he uses a lot is 'I can do it myself,'" says his grandmother. "When you see him, you would never know he has cancer."
http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20100121/FON0101/100120125/1985/FONnews/Boy-with-rare-form-of-cancer-rallies

Susan White

This incredible piece from journalist Susan White recounts her experiences undergoing chemotherapy for lung cancer. Two years in, the chemo seems to be working, but it's incredibly difficult to endure: "When I was first diagnosed, I learned of three other nonsmokers in the Omaha area who had lung cancer," she writes. "I never met any of them, and yet I have wept when each died -- for what they went through, for the families they left behind, for the terrible sense of foreboding their deaths give me. But I'm not giving in. I have scores of people praying for me. And we press on with the chemo."
http://www.omaha.com/article/20100125/LIVING/701259957

Lee March Grayson

Grayson, an attorney and 13-year-survivor of chronic myelogenous leukemia, urges cancer patients to take an active role in their own treatment. He learned from experience: when he was fighting the disease, he and his family questioned his doctor routinely to make sure he was getting to best possible care. Now the founder of Marrow Power, which organizes counselors to help patients and families deal with the challenges of cancer, he tells cancer patients, "It's not being disrespectful . . . you are trying to save your life. You're allowed to question your doctor, you're allowed to fire your doctor."
http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/01/randolph_attorney_advises_canc.html

John H

In a comment on a recent "With You, We Stand" entry, John H wrote: "On November 17th, 2008 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. It was totally out of the blue, and I will never forget that day . . . I am happy to say there is no detectable sign of cancer in my body today. I am thankful and blessed. But more importantly, I like to think I also became "aware." Aware of cancer, its symptoms, treatments, detection and impacts. I have become a vocal proponent of self-exams. I have become so much more sensitive of the friends near me who since have also been diagnosed with various forms of cancer; sensitive to what they are feeling, and what lies ahead for them . . . But human spirit and resolve is unyielding, and cancer will be defeated. Keep up the site and keep the encouraging posts coming . . . and let's all STAND UP when we need to."

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

Posted on January 26, 2010 4:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Jasmina Anema

Six-year-old Jasmina and her family documented her fight against leukemia on Twitter, making her a "torch of hope" for others facing a cancer battle and drawing the attention of Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna and President Obama. Last week, Jasmina passed away. Her family kept her growing audience up to date during the last two months, including sharing a message she got from the President: "President Obama wrote me the most encouraging message: 'Jasmina, DREAM BIG DREAMS' AND THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IN THE NEW YEAR."
http://www.limelife.com/blog-entry/Jasmina-Anema-6-Dies-After-Inspiring-Cancer-Battle/33023.html

Linda May Hill

This article out of Utah looks at the efforts of Linda May Hill, a three-time cancer survivor who sells t-shirts with humorous messages to raise money for cancer research: "Of course they're fake . . . the real ones tried to kill me," "I lost my colon, but I'm still full of crap," and many more. (Her website, where the shirts are available, is somuchmoreonline.com.) "It doesn't matter if you have three months or three years, have a blast," Hill says. "If my kids want me to play 'Mario Brothers' instead of doing the dishes, I can tell you right now I'm playing 'Mario Brothers.'  Cancer does not define us. We're so much more."
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700006116/Humor-best-Rx-for-cancer-survivor.html

Phil Brabbs

Brabbs was diagnosed with multiple myeloma the day after his 28th birthday. He and his wife, Cassie, began doing extensive research on the disease, starting with advice from a friend in medical school and moving to the internet as a resource. Eventually the two started a blog, "Multiple Myeloma for Dummies," to share everything they had learned. Brabbs, who is now participating in a clinical trial at the University of Michigan, passed along this advice to others in the fight: "Be real with your emotions. When you're sad, be sad. When you're angry, be angry. When you're furious, be furious. When you're happy, be happy. When you want to laugh, laugh. Whatever you're feeling, it's okay."
http://www.myelomabeacon.com/news/2010/02/01/personal-perspective-former-football-star-and-young-father-%E2%80%9Cdominates%E2%80%9D-cancer-with-optimism-information-and-support/

Debbie Stallings

Stallings, a breast cancer survivor from Texas, carried the same bag to dozens of appointments, biopsies and surgeries during treatment for the disease. Now she makes Journey Bags for other women facing cancer diagnoses. The bags contain a small blanket, a reusable water bottle, a pocket journal and more, and can be personalized to fit the person's needs. "As a survivor, I came across a lot of people who wanted to do something, but didn't know what to give to help me through the process," she says. "I wanted to use my experience to create a Journey Bag for other survivors."The bags are available online at www.journeybags.com.
http://www.scntx.com/articles/2010/01/28/news_update/257.txt

As always, we invite you to share your stories with us in the comments below!

Posted on February 2, 2010 4:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Louis Gossett Jr.

Gossett, an Oscar-, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actor, recently learned he has early-stage prostate cancer. He said he was going public with the disease to "set an example for the large number of African-American men who are victims of this disease because of the comparatively low emphasis in our community on preventive examinations and early treatment . . . I want to influence them to seek, as I have, the fine medical care and early detection now available." We've launched a star for Gossett in the SU2C Constellation; you can add a message to it, and see what others have written, here.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/09/louis.gossett.cancer/

Mary Matthias

In 1998, doctors told Matthias, who was fighting stage III endometrial ovarian cancer, that there was nothing more they could do for her. Today, the 55-year-old woman is a proud cancer survivor and author of "Will There Be Cows In Heaven? Finding the 'Ancer' in Cancer," a book of inspirational stories like her own. "God has given me so many stories. He has put so many people into my life. I felt it was for a reason," she says. "The book is about hope, and I needed to give hope back."
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20100208/MAN04/2080453/Sharing-her-story-of-cancer-survival

Dave and Geri Cochrane

Dave Cochrane is fighting mantle cell lymphoma, a rare, aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's that has necessitated six years of cancer treatments and a stem cell transplant. As Dave and his wife, Geri, struggle to cope with massive medical bills, their community has stepped up to the plate, offering gifts - often anonymously - to help them out financially. Marveling at the support and generosity of their friends, neighbors and co-workers, Geri says, "There have been so many angel moments. God just keeps providing for our family over and over again. We're so blessed."
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/featured_story/article_83a53b82-145b-11df-8e71-001cc4c03286.html

Megan White

At the age of six, Megan was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Two years later, she's not only an eight-year-old survivor of the disease; she's also attained her dream of being a Sugar Bear, a cheerleader for Missouri State University. As an honorary Sugar Bear, Megan got to cheer with college-level cheerleaders at a recent game. "The day after my surgery, I don't remember this, but my mom said I stood up in the bed and said I was ready to dance," Megan says. "I want to learn and do the flips and stuff that they do."
http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=233432

As always, we welcome you to share your stories with us in the comments below!

Posted on February 9, 2010 4:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Doug Fieger

Through his most famous song, "My Sharona," Fieger became emblematic of the new wave movement in music hitting the mainstream. He passed away on Sunday from lung cancer at the age of 57. His band, The Knack, disbanded in 1981 but wound up reuniting for regular tours in the 90s, and their biggest hit, which was Billboard's number-one song of 1979, endures to this day, as this NYT blog entry shows.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/arts/music/16fieger.html

Cindy McCrary

A four-year survivor of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, McCrary, 46, is now gearing up for her fifth Relay For Life, for which she is making cancer awareness blankets to help raise funds. When McCrary ran her first Relay in 2006, she believed she was going to die from the disease. Now, as a survivor with a newfound passion for volunteering, she says, "This is where I'm supposed to be . . . Not that I wanted to get cancer to find it, but sometimes the bad leads into a blessing."
http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_14351851

Dana Jennings

It's been a while since we checked in with Jennings, an occasional contributor to the NYT Well Blog who recently completed treatment for Stage 3 prostate cancer. In his most recent entry for the blog, Jennings talks frankly about coping with the side effects of treatment, which can include incontinence and erectile dysfunction. He says, "True manhood is about love and kindness. It's about responsibility and honor, about working hard and raising your children the best way you know how, with love, respect and discipline."
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/after-surviving-cancer-a-focus-on-true-manhood/

Joan Fowler

In a comment on a recent "With You, We Stand" entry, Fowler shared her story with us: "My husband was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer, stage 4, going on now four years," she writes. "It was not looking good at first, but now thanks to his doctor and God he is fighting on. He has had no chemo treatments now for two year and there is no sign of new cancer at this time . . . I hope this gives other people the spirit of fighting and not giving up. We trust and believe that whatever Gods will is will be and we try and just live a good life. We have our struggles but we keep on going. So just believe in hope and love and never give up."

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

Posted on February 16, 2010 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

George Karl

We've shared George Karl's 2005 battle with prostate cancer in SU2C Mag; now the Denver Nuggets coach is facing cancer a second time, this time of the throat and neck. Intent on seeing his team through the postseason in spite of chemotherapy, he says that coaching "is going to be my sanctuary, to do what I like to do and think about all those things that will pop in your mind" when undergoing cancer treatment. "I need everybody," he says. "I also need the gym. I need the juice from being happy about kicking someone's butt. I felt very early it made no sense for me to separate from the team. I'm using them. I need them. Hopefully, they don't mind it."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2010-02-18-karl-cancer_N.htm

Frank Lautenberg

Lautenberg, who at 86 is the nation's second-oldest senator, was recently diagnosed with lymphoma of the stomach, which physicians agree is likely to be curable. The cancer will require treatment over the next few months, but Lautenberg will not resign, according to his office. "I wouldn't be too surprised to soon hear how he's once again outpacing younger aides as they walk through U.S. Capitol building," said state Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/19/AR2010021902429.html?hpid=topnews

Mary S. Herczog

Herczog, who passed away last week at the age of 45, was an avid documenter of her own battle against breast cancer, both in national news outlets and at her website, cancerchick.com. Diagnosed at age 33, Herczog told her story with an incredible amount of wit - even after her second recurrence. "People were definitely shocked by her writing," her husband said. "They'd say, 'How can you put so much humor into something so scary?' But . . . they would see she was making it less scary . . . that you could be this real person and have cancer."
http://www.philly.com/philly/obituaries/84936277.html

Tonie Auer

Auer faced cancer in 1975, as a six-year-old; today, years later, she remains committed to advocating for children facing the disease. She recently donated her hair to Locks of Love, the organization that provides wigs to kids and adolescents who've lost their hair because of a medical condition. Auer says what she went through made her empathetic to those fighting the disease. "It has shaped who I am," she said. "It has made me more compassionate."
http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/stories/DRC_locks_0221.13ab8f74c.html

Posted on February 23, 2010 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lislie Nunez

Nunez was diagnosed with leukemia at 22. A year later, her friends organized a local drive aimed at finding her a donor for the bone marrow transplant she needs. Over 400 people turned out on February 18th to be tested to determine whether any were a compatible donor match. Nunez says that in the meantime, she's not losing faith. "I'm very thankful," she says. "It's hard but also it gives you strength. Before, I used to feel sorry for people who have cancer, and now that I am going through this, I know that God helps a lot. He gives you strength to go on."
http://www.yumasun.com/news/luis-56649-san-strong.html

Liam Howell

At the age of seven, Liam Howell might be one of the world's youngest inspirational speakers. But Howell, diagnosed at eight months with a rare form of eye cancer that has left him legally blind, has plenty to speak about. Participating in a public speaking competition, Howell has shared his story with his entire school, and on March 27 will take it to an even bigger audience at the next level of the contest. "I lead a very normal life as a seven-year-old boy... and I am still cancer free," he says.
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2470895

Peter Cobb

Cobb was diagnosed with Acral Lentiginous Melanoma, an unusual form of skin cancer, in summer of 2008; that same year, he had half a finger amputated to halt the spread of the disease. Now Cobb, 55, and three of his friends have decided to cycle over 1,000 miles to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. "Cycling that epic journey will be a life-changing challenge and I've wanted to do some fundraising for Macmillan for a while now," he says. "I'm really excited for it and I hope I manage to raise thousands of pounds."
http://www.hertsad.co.uk/content/herts/news/story.aspx?brand=HADOnline&category=News&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestHAD&itemid=WEED26%20Feb%202010%2011%3A51%3A51%3A630

Kali Sanchez

In a comment on a recent "With You, We Stand" post, Sanchez shared her and her husband's story: "My husband is currently fighting a good fight. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer which rapidly spread to his lymph nodes in his back on October 20, 2009, 7 days before our sons 5th birthday. Finally we have the all-clear, that chemo treatments are a thing of the past and that we will have a CAT scan and see where we stand with our battle. Always fight to win....you can do it, you are not alone!!"

As always, we welcome you to share your stories with us in the comments below.

Posted on March 2, 2010 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Jaime Escalante

Escalante, 79, is the math teacher who was the basis for the movie "Stand and Deliver." Today, the former teacher at Garfield High School in LA is in treatment for bladder cancer in Reno, and his doctors have told him he has a few months, at best, to live. But Escalante still has lessons to share, which he does using a pen and paper since his voice is almost gone. Asked about his former students, he writes, "They understood the significance of ganas, the giant step to success. I had many opportunities in this country, but the best I found in east LA. I am proudest of my brilliant students."
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-escalante7-2010mar07,0,6159259.story

Pam Miller

In this article out of South Dakota, Miller, 47, shares her story. Diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 45, Miller had surgery to remove a tumor the size of a plum as well as a foot and a half of her colon. She says she wishes she would've known the disease was hereditary - her mother had had polyps - and that she'd have seen a doctor about her symptoms sooner. She says, "I should have pursued it with my doctors but I didn't because of the embarrassment . . . I do feel strongly about it. Had I not been so embarrassed I probably wouldn't have had to go through all of this."
http://www.ksfy.com/news/health/86674017.html

Placido Domingo

Domingo, the 69-year-old tenor singer, had surgery last week to remove a cancerous polyp from his colon and is expected to make a full recovery. According to his spokeswoman, the cancer was localized and the operation was minimally invasive. Domingo is expected to return to work in April with a performance of "Simon Boccanegra" in Milan. "His exact return to his performing engagements remains subject to how fast he can heal and regain his characteristic strength," said his spokeswoman.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14634131

Lauren Gayeski

In a comment on last week's "With You, We Stand," Lauren shared her story: "On this day, 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I was 19. Having cancer had a profound effect on my path in life. Since my surgery, I graduated from college, became an oncology nurse and cared for hundreds and hundreds of cancer patients, got married, and gave birth to three beautiful boys. Now, even when I'm having a rough day, life is still sweeter because I've seen the other side, both myself and from those for whom I have cared. Cancer made me grateful for all the little things we take for granted and I try to live in the moment, because it's scary to not know what's ahead. So, cheers to my 10 years without cancer! Thanks for letting me share my story..."

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

Posted on March 9, 2010 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)