Our Advocates & Their Stories

On November 22, 2004, Dr. Harold Mandell, a hematologist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth, Texas, looked Terry Purdom in the eye and told him he had Multiple Myeloma, a relatively rare and incurable bone marrow cancer. Terry looked back at the doctor and smiled. .....

In June 2011, Betty Apt, then 62 years old, went for a routine mammogram. She was called back in for additional tests, and ultimately diagnosed in July with Stage 2 breast cancer. “Fortunately for me, I had two friends who had gone through breast cancer a couple of years earlier, .....

In 2013, on her 61st birthday, Emma Sinkfield became the fourth sister in her family to be diagnosed with cancer. Over the next year of her treatment, a fifth sister was also diagnosed. Emma’s was HER2-Positive breast cancer; a relatively rare condition that indicates the presence of certain proteins that .....

I am one of the lucky ones. My tumor was suspected and confirmed through the efforts of my trusted gynecologist, whom I had been seeing for decades. Small tumor, stage one…best case scenario. I was directed to Northwest Georgia Oncology Center In Kennesaw Georgia. I can still hear my doctor’s .....

My wife, Pat, was diagnosed in 2004 with early-stage breast cancer; began treatment in early 2005 at Northwest Georgia Oncology Center. During this time, my career job of thirty years came unexpectedly to an end. Although I may have been unemotionally available for a few weeks, I was able to .....

My husband Thomas was diagnosed 12 years ago with ductal carcinoma. After having a mastectomy, cancer invasion has reoccurred in four different areas. It has been very difficult each time but with a lot of prayers, the wonderful support of his outstanding doctor, Don Shaffer, and the staff at Northwest .....

After having been a supporter and caregiver to my wife Carrie, I too was thrown into this fight after my diagnosis and having experienced her journey at NorthShore Hematology Oncology Associates (NSHOA) I knew that’s where I was going to be cared for and treated. Their attention to our needs .....

My name is Joseph, I am 41 years old and I have Colorectal Cancer.  In November 2010 I noticed some blood on my stool.  I went home and got on the internet and typed in my symptoms and decided that I have diverticulitis, so I stopped eating nuts.  The symptoms .....

As an administrator of a community oncology group practice for over a decade and a 3-year cancer survivor, having firsthand experience from the provider and patient side is an opportunity to make a difference.  I was in my 30s and raising 2 small kids when I started working in oncology.  .....

When Jerrold Silverman hit his early 40s, he knew his lifestyle had to change. A sedentary smoker with poor eating habits and a family history of heart disease, continuing down this path would likely result in never getting to know his grandchildren. He threw away his cigarettes, began a rigorous .....

In May of 2016, James Gaines, then 56, went for a routine physical. Looking over James’ history of long-term smoking, the doctor recommended he go for a lung CT. A few days later, the doctor called to say they had found something on the scan – it is best to .....

Being married to a long-time smoker, Lisa Gaines naturally harbored concerns for her husband’s health. So in May 2016, she scheduled James for a routine physical, and soon after, he was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. Lisa flew into action, locating a highly-recommended oncologist, Dr. Mark A. Marinella, who agreed .....

On November 22, 2004, Dr. Harold Mandell, a hematologist at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth, Texas, looked Terry Purdom in the eye and told him he had Multiple Myeloma, a relatively rare and incurable bone marrow cancer. Terry looked back at the doctor and smiled. .....

I began working as a registered nurse with Tennessee Oncology in December 2014. Throughout 2015, I began experiencing many unexplained symptoms (night sweats, weight loss, frequent illness, anemia, etc). After performing a self-exam, I discovered a new and unexplained lump/knot/lymph node in my lower neck region. The day after the .....

Hi, my name is Diane and since 1985 I have been a Cancer Conqueror.  Yes, I know the common term is Survivor but I don’t believe I’m that. I fought all 9 and won.  I’m not in denial, I know that one of them is going to take me down but .....

I have been looked after by these wonderful folks at Northwest Medical Specialties for the last 5 or 6 years. Receiving my treatment and follow-up as I am now in remission. Their care and concern for me are tremendous. I really appreciate their help and guidance in these trying times. .....

Hello, my name is Marcia D'Aprile, I'm a 60-year-old female with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. My story began in 2020 when I felt a small lump in my left groin but it seemed so small that I was doubting it was anything because it seemed so small. Fast forward, months later .....

Thirty years ago, Sandy Lachman, a 45-year-old elementary school vice principal, and teacher found a lump on her thyroid. She made all the rounds, seeing doctors and having a series of scans. Then, following the doctors’ recommendations, she had her thyroid removed – as a preventative measure, she assumed. Ten .....

The biopsy through my lung revealed diffuse large B cell lymphoma.  Night sweats, weight loss, and a non-productive cough…it all made sense to the oncologist, but not to me. Why me? Why now? I was anxious to get started on chemotherapy to send the alien packing. Nausea, hair loss, and .....

I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer in January 2018. Dr. Robert Wenham performed debulking surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, he is also an oncologist. I intended to have him be my oncologist. Traveling to Tampa was extremely stressful but I was willing to do it. Dr. .....

Rob Rutigliano was a happily married father of three. With a doctorate in molecular genetics and biology, he had worked for nearly 20 years in the field of cancer, from performing lab research to heading up a center that matches cancer patients with clinical trials. One afternoon, Rob found a .....

I never thought that I would have cancer. I knew that many people will have cancer in their lives, but I never really thought that it would come to me. After the shock of the diagnosis, I firmly committed to beating it and becoming a survivor. I guess that my .....

Hello, my name is Ronnie Sanders. I was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer with mets to the liver in May 2022. I am still alive and I am a fighter! There are ups and there are some downs as well. Make sure you have a super awesome support system, .....