Cancer Survivor Stories
Note: Submissions to this page represent the opinions of the presenters. They do not represent the position or the opinion of the AACR or its members and should not be considered medical advice.
Ruben Orozco’s Journey With Stomach Cancer
How support has helped Ruben’s healing process. In March 2021, I was scheduled for surgery to repair my right knee. While recovering at home, I began experiencing severe stomach...
Confronting Prostate Cancer
At 82 years old, 18-year survivor Paul Henry looks toward the challenge of running a marathon. After several years of rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) scores and a couple of...
Karim Holloway: A Son, Father, and Brother
His mother, Ebony Hatley, tells her son’s story. My son, Karim Holloway, died three months ago from bone cancer. Karim was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, but didn’t have the...
Remembering Rebecca’s 23-Year Cancer Experience
Jay Hinman shares his late wife’s cancer journey. I lost my wife Rebecca to cancer this year, in April 2025. She had lung cancer brought on by a thymoma....
Inspirational Life Lessons Learned Through a Cancer Journey
Satish Venkata’s journey with follicular lymphoma. Outwit. Outplay. Outlast! “In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” Has there ever been...
Battling Against Thyroid Cancer and Then Leukemia
Jannette Johnson discusses her experiences with two cancer diagnoses. Hi, my name is Jannette and I’m a two-time cancer survivor. The first time I was diagnosed was in 2010...
Cancer: A Grueling Race
Ironman Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds compares his triathlon training to his cancer journey. I thought I had conquered life’s ultimate physical challenge when I crossed the finish line at the Ironman Florida triathlon in November 2021 at age...
A Cancer Diagnosis After Six Months of Symptoms
Yvonne Ditoro shares how advocating for herself was key to her cancer journey. When I came back from vacation in February 2023, I suddenly developed a violent, nonstop cough....
Champion to Championing Cancer Patients
Stephen Brown describes how his love for competition set him apart after his cancer diagnosis. “My MO for as long as I’ve been diagnosed is to build bridges, expand...
Beating a Rare Blood Cancer
How Brent Burgesser defeated an unforeseen diagnosis of metastatic cancer. “They told my parents I wouldn’t make it to Christmas,” Brent Burgesser explains. “Today, I’m cancer-free—living proof that miracles...
