Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in 2008 when a blood level test revealed an abnormally high white blood cell count. Hearing the word leukemia felt like a death sentence. Colon cancer took the life of my grandfather and my uncle, and nearly claimed my father's.

I was fortunate to learn that my cancer could be managed. To help educate others with CML, I want people to know they are not alone, and that with proper care, this can be a manageable disease.

As a patient advocate, I recognize the importance of supporting lifesaving research. Along with a positive outlook, research has allowed me to move on with my life. I can still coach, practice yoga and spend time with the people I love.

Lance Armstrong

At 25, Lance Armstrong was one of the world's best cyclists and his future was bright. Then he learned he had testicular cancer. It had spread to his abdomen, lungs and brain.

Lance decided regardless of the odds, he would be a cancer survivor, not a cancer victim. Physical conditioning, a strong support system and competitive spirit took over. He took an active role in educating himself about his disease. He underwent aggressive treatment and with the support of his loved ones, beat cancer.

During Lance's treatment, before he knew whether he would live or die, he created an idea that grew into a global movement: LIVESTRONG. This marked the beginning of Lance's life as an advocate for people living with cancer and a representative for the cancer community.

Fran Drescher

I am a uterine cancer survivor, but was misdiagnosed for two years by eight doctors. I felt betrayed by my body and by the medical community. In 2002, I wrote Cancer Schmancer to tell my story of survival so what happened to me wouldn't happen to others. After my book tour, I realized that what happened to me had happened to so many women. Then I realized the book was not the end, but rather the beginning of a life mission to improve women's health care in America. Toward this end, I started the Cancer Schmancer Movement to transform women from patients into medical consumers, and to shift this nation's priority from only searching for a cancer cure to promoting prevention and early detection of cancer. We need to take control of our bodies, and become better partners with our physicians. I feel like I got famous, I got cancer, and I lived to talk about it. So I'm talking! Sometimes the best gifts really do come in the ugliest packages.

Delta Goodrem

On July 8, 2003, I was diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma. My album had been number #1 for eight weeks, I found out my debut album was on par to the highest selling album in Australian history, and I had just topped the charts in the UK and Europe. My life went from flying all over the world, doing what what I love, to being placed into hospital dealing with a world of oncologists, hematologists and radiotherapists.

I am Patron of the Garvan Cancer Institute in Australia and always give a portion of my touring and recording money to cancer research. I was fortunate to have so much support from family and friends, not to mention the Australian public who embraced me as their daughter because of music and my journey. I hate the thought of anyone being alone through their fight. If I could give back and help anyone going through something similar, then treating this as part of my life journey still feels worthwhile.

I have now been in remission for four years. Music has saved me and helped guide me through this journey, and at times, I'm not sure what I would have done without it.

Marissa Jaret Winokur

This year marks my 10 year anniversary of being cancer free! When I found out I had cancer I had barely started my career, I wasn't married and I didn't think about children. All I thought was WHY AND HOW DID THIS HAPPEN TO ME...IT'S NOT FAIR, THIS TOTALLY SUCKS!!!

In late 2000 I underwent a radical hysterectomy. The doctor said I was "lucky"...the tumor was only in my uterus and cervix and not in my ovaries, so I was able to keep my ovaries. I slowly recovered and put my life and soul back together.

I admit -- before cancer, work was my #1 priority. After cancer, LIFE was. I married my best friend, a "before cancer friend." Then in July 2008, I understood what the doctors meant by saying I was "LUCKY." My son Zev was born via surrogate.

If someone had shown me my family in a magic ball 10 years ago I would never have believed it. My son Zev is the silver lining of my cancer...it only took eight years to shine.

Pearce Quesenberry

In early 2008, Pearce was diagnosed with a mass in her brain the size of a small lemon. Even though surgery successfully removed the tumor, we learned that it was malignant and she would need continued treatment. She later underwent thirty-one rounds of high dose radiation to her brain and spine, as well as chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

Pearce has done a great deal to help others including flying six-thousand miles to help Stand Up To Cancer raise over $117 million for cancer research. The next day, she visited Six Flags Great Adventure to support Cure Kids Cancer during her week break between treatments.

Thankfully, we have been given the diagnoses of NED – No Evidence of Disease – since November 2008. Pearce has taught us that no matter what life brings us, we will be okay. Her ability to face and conquer fear is inspiring to many people.

Robin Roberts

In July 2007, my dear friend and colleague at ABC, Joel Siegel, passed after a valiant battle with colon cancer.

I was part of a program paying tribute to him and did a story about how Joel encouraged people to be diligent about their health. He painfully admitted it was something he had not done and early detection was key to defeat cancer.

The night of Joel's tribute show I discovered a lump in my right breast. Normally I would have done nothing and just waited for my next doctor's appointment which was months away. Instead, I remembered Joel's words about early detection and scheduled an exam right away.

When I heard the diagnosis--cancer--I was stunned and scared. But I knew I had given myself a fighting chance to beat it because I had taken action.

I started my journey--surgery, chemo, radiation--and shared it all as I continued to work on Good Morning America. I showed my head being shaved as my hair began to fall out because of chemo. I went on the air bald. I was making my mess my message.

I am a proud survivor!

Marcia Strassman

Marcia Strassman is best known for playing Julie Kotter on "Welcome Back, Kotter" and the title role of Honey in the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" movies, as well as countless TV and movie roles.

With more than 40 years of acting under her belt, she continues to reach audiences on stage, television and film. Since being diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 2007, her most inspiring role is an advocate for cancer patients showing patients that you CAN stand up to cancer. Her motto is: cancer does not define me.

Ethan Zohn

This is me: soccer crazy, inspired philanthropist, mad inventor, industrial fruit juicer, loving uncle and reality TV show junkie.

As a 35-year-old former pro soccer player training for the NYC Marathon, I never thought some itchy skin and night sweats would obstruct my path to the finish-line and lead me to cancer hell. However, two forms of chemo, 21 blasts of high dose radiation, an autologous stem cell transplant and the best crew of family and friends this planet has to offer is all I needed to emerge a winner. I'm a proud Survivor - through and through and in every sense of the word. I was a Survivor when cancer came into my home and took my father. I was a Survivor when I won the reality TV show in Africa. I'm a Survivor today, after the rare form of Hodgkins Lymphoma that invaded my body was crushed into remission. Life is good.