Perspectives from those who live it every day.
Rochelle Shoretz was first diagnosed with early stage breast cancer at age 28, and then with metastatic breast cancer at age 37. She is now the founder and executive director of Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization that provides support and resources to young Jewish women and their families facing breast cancer. Despite the sadness her experience with […]
Mike Whittles was a high school football coach who found strength and support from his family, his friends, and his team. A well-known figure in his community, Mike was open and forthright about his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. His ability to 'make every day count' during his battle against the disease was inspiring to students […]
Leroy Sievers was a journalist who traveled the world covering wars, invasions and other conflicts. In 2005, he began a battle of his own against colon cancer. A producer for ABC’s Nightline, Leroy was a gifted communicator. During his illness he appeared in a Discovery Channel documentary with Ted Koppel and wrote a blog for […]
In 2009, while studying at Johns Hopkins University, Tao Wang, now age 40, was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. After diagnosis, she began to focus on helping other patients with some of the questions she, herself, faced during treatment. ”Somehow, I want to make a difference in my life,” she says. Now Wang volunteers […]
For Carrie Wells, a powerful and positive part of surviving breast cancer was attending a retreat with women who shared similar journeys. Being surrounded by other survivors was a chance for connection, education, relaxation and healing. So moved was Carrie by the retreat experience, she felt compelled to help other cancer survivors find equally valuable […]
Several years after Annie Applegarth battled sarcoma, she joined the Mermaids, a group of swimmers that raises money for cancer research. Before her diagnosis she had never spent much time in the water. Now her friends and family cheer as she finishes up a mile. Click below to hear her story.
Jamie Galloway is a retired microbiologist who volunteers her time supporting other breast cancer survivors. She provides them comfort and companionship, just as she was supported during her own battle with the disease. Click below to hear her story.
Jeffrey Liss was a natural leader whose work as an attorney was often dedicated to advocating for the public interest. In addition to helping those in need, Jeffrey was passionate about music and, in it, found great comfort and empowerment, especially during his fight against pancreatic cancer. He shared his passion by creating a music […]
Deb Stewart has battled breast cancer twice. A nurse by training, she now works with breast cancer survivors at the Avon Foundation Breast Center here at Johns Hopkins, lending her support and wisdom gleaned from experience. Her work is not only valuable to patients, it’s rewarding for Deb. Or, as she puts it, “You get […]
Coming up later this month is the 3rd annual Semi-Colon Crawl - a 5K walk here in the Baltimore area to spread the word about colon cancer. It's the brainchild of Edel Blumberg, who was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 47. Despite undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, the disease returned three years later. After another […]
