Survivorship Today: Cancer Survivor Stories

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Daniel: Facing stigma and being a voice for others

Randy: Discovering catharsis through connectivity

Woody’s day in the life: Being resilient and embracing new dreams

Survivorship

Today

What It’s Like to Live with Cancer

Breakthroughs in cancer research are making it possible for more people to survive cancer. Still, most people don’t understand that the disease can have lasting impacts on a person’s health and well-being.

Disclaimer: Sterling K. Brown is a paid spokesperson for Bristol Myers Squibb. All patients and caregivers featured on SurvivorshipToday.com were compensated for their time.

Survivor Perspectives

“Learning to be resilient and trying to cope with cancer is much harder than people realize.”

- Linda, living with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

Patient perspective
Well-being
Caregiver perspective

Survivorship Today: Living past the fear

Linda shares how with the help of her partner, she’s able to look past the fear of cancer and continue to participate in the activities she loves.

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2022-11-16

“I made a promise to myself that somehow, I was going to be a patient advocate. I needed to be able to offer hope and encouragement to others.”

– Melani, stomach and breast cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being
Physical impact

At home with Melani

Melani shares how her experience with a lesser-known cancer inspired her to be an advocate for others in the survivorship community.

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2022-08-29

“Support can be found in many different ways and places.”

- Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, MD, MSC, professor of surgery, endocrine surgeon, cancer survivorship advocate

Healthcare provider perspective
Well-being

Q&A with Dr. Goldfarb: Healthcare and support for cancer survivors

Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, an associate professor, endocrine surgeon and survivorship advocate, addresses cancer survivors’ frequently asked questions

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2019-11-29

Against the odds: Featuring Donna living with multiple myeloma and lung cancer survivor AJ

Patient perspective
Well-being

Against the odds:

Donna and AJ speak with Sterling K. Brown on how they are making the most of life despite the daily physical and emotional barriers they face living with cancer.

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2021-05-17

Fighting the stigma: How candid conversations may help men facing cancer

Hear from Bin, a prostate cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Health equity
Well-being

Fighting the stigma: How candid conversations may help men facing cancer

Bin opens up about the health disparities he faced as a Black, male cancer survivor. Read more about his leap into advocacy to help empower underserved communities, including communities of color.

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2021-11-16

"As a Lynch syndrome patient who has had three cancers, knowing that I possibly have additional cancers in my future and a history of the disease in my family is a continued challenge for me, but it has also fueled the fire for my advocacy."

- Wenora, colon, endometrial and basal cell carcinoma survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being
Health equity

At home with Wenora

Wenora shares how genetic testing and her work in research advocacy played a role in her survivorship journey.

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2021-07-19

“The biggest improvement in my life has been empathy for others.”

- Amanda, breast cancer and melanoma survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being
Physical health

Amanda: Fighting for women’s fertility

Amanda speaks with Sterling K. Brown about the fertility challenges women with cancer face and why she’s fighting for a woman’s right to be a mother.

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2021-11-15

"For those of us that are in our senior seasoned years, the jargon, the new techniques for communicating, all seem a bit overwhelming at first."

- Loretta, breast cancer survivor, advocate

Patient perspective
Well-being
Health equity

At home with Loretta

Loretta shares how a cancer diagnosis and family history of the disease inspired her to help seniors with cancer navigate telehealth and receive access to care.

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2021-07-19

From athlete to activist: Fighting for health equity

Hear how Woody became a lifelong advocate.

Patient perspective
Health equity
Well-being

From athlete to activist: Fighting for health equity

Hear how Woody became a lifelong advocate.

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2022-10-12

“I walked side by side with cancer, and I would not be where I am now, body, mind and spirit had it not been for cancer.”

– Daniel, anal cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being
Physical impact
Health equity

Daniel: Facing stigma and being a voice for others

Daniel speaks with Sterling K. Brown about how he harnesses the stigma he faced into an opportunity to help others in the Latino and LGBTQ+ communities instead of being a victim to his disease.

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2021-04-11

"Creativity has helped me to refocus on the important things in life.”

- Joe, tongue and thyroid cancer survivor

Patient perspective

At home with Joe

Joe shares how art motivates him to stay positive during challenging times.

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Patient & Caregiver Resources >

2021-05-10

“Helping to advocate on behalf of cancer patients has given me the strength and the healing that, ultimately, my body and soul needed.”

- Amanda, breast cancer and melanoma survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being
Physical impact

Amanda: Learning to be your own advocate

Faced with cancer, Amanda became an advocate for not only herself, but for all women who have to make difficult fertility decisions while fighting for their lives.

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2022-08-29

“It’s going to be different for everybody, but find what works for you and stick with it.”

- Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, MD, MSC, professor of surgery, endocrine surgeon, cancer survivorship advocate

Healthcare provider perspective
Well-being

Q&A with Dr. Goldfarb: Coping with anxiety

Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, an associate professor, endocrine surgeon and survivorship advocate, addresses cancer survivors’ frequently asked questions.

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2021-09-20

“For me, living with cancer is about resiliency, loving yourself and acknowledging your fears.”

- Woody, osteosarcoma survivor and advocate

Patient perspective
Well-being
Health equity

Woody: Being resilient and embracing new dreams

Cancer survivor Woody shares how, despite a diagnosis 60 years ago, cancer is still very much a part of his life today.

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2022-10-12

“The waves of the emotional weight of having gone through cancer still hit me. We all have our internal struggles and I think this is something that I'm still learning to cope with.”

– Kate, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being
Physical impact
Young adult

Kate: Redefining the next chapter

Kate speaks with Sterling K. Brown about the emotional impact of facing cancer and how she copes with the lingering internal battles each day.

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2021-09-20

“Being a former healthcare provider who’s also living with cancer has helped me on my survivorship journey.”

- Victoria, multiple myeloma survivor

Patient perspective
Healthcare provider perspective
Physical impact

At home with Victoria

Victoria, a retired healthcare provider, shares how she’s learning how to adapt while living with a chronic cancer.

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2021-02-07

"That journey of learning to accept and learning to allow others to help me has been a difficult journey to walk."

- AJ, lung cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Caregiver perspective
Well-being
Physical impact

AJ: Finding perspective after cancer

For AJ, living with cancer can be physically painful and mentally challenging, yet his diagnosis changed his outlook on life.

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2022-11-16

“The joy that I receive now of this changed environment living with cancer is just experiencing life and seeing things grow.”

- Randy, lung cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being
Physical impact

Randy: Discovering catharsis through connectivity

Facing cancer made Randy reconsider his “treadmill” pace of life. He shifted his priorities to focus on joy, balance, and well-being and learned how to embrace his changed environment.

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2020-09-20

During cancer, I felt very isolated. With COVID-19, I’m getting a lot of those same feelings.”

- Bin, prostate cancer survivor

COVID-19
Health equity
Patient perspective

Bin: Coping during COVID-19

Bin speaks with Sterling K. Brown about how his cancer journey helped him build tools of resiliency to cope with the challenges of being immunocompromised during COVID-19.

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2022-08-29

“[Struggling emotionally] is a very common thing that patients and survivors face, so you are not alone.”

- Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, MD, MSC, professor of surgery, endocrine surgeon, cancer survivorship advocate

Healthcare provider perspective
Well-being

Q&A with Dr. Goldfarb: Finding emotional support

Dr. Melanie Goldfarb, an associate professor, endocrine surgeon, and survivorship advocate, addresses cancer survivors’ frequently asked questions.

Related Resources

2020-07-12

“If you think in the way, this too shall pass, then it feels different. You know, if there's a will, there's a way.”

- Donna, living with multiple myeloma

Patient perspective
Well-being
COVID-19

Donna: Putting Gratitude above Fear

Donna speaks with Sterling K. Brown about finding out her multiple myeloma has returned and how she is adapting to her new normal during COVID-19.

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2020-05-03

You are not alone: reflections on coronavirus.

Hear from Amy, an eight-year breast cancer survivor.

Patient perspective
Well-being
COVID-19

Navigating life during COVID-19

Read about Amy’s perspective on how COVID-19 has brought back the same feelings of isolation and uncertainty she felt during her cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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Patient & Caregiver Resources >

2019-08-02

“Physically, I'm cancer-free, but mentally, I'll never be the same.”

- Justin, testicular cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being
Young adult

Justin’s perspective

Men’s health advocate and cancer survivor Justin discusses how he has overcome the feelings of depression, isolation and anxiety that began after his treatment.

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2020-10-17

“Having advanced stage lung cancer and trying to live in this pandemic is really hard.”

- AJ, lung cancer survivor

Patient perspective
COVID-19

At home with AJ during COVID-19

AJ shares how COVID-19 has affected his family and their daily lives.

Related Resources

Survivorship Statistics >

2020-09-18

"Many cancer survivors feel a little lost. Everybody wants them to go back to normal, but life isn’t the same.”

- Melanie Goldfarb, MD, MSC, professor of surgery, endocrine surgeon and cancer survivorship advocate

Healthcare provider perspective
COVID-19

Dr. Goldfarb: Addressing unmet needs

Dr. Goldfarb opens up to Sterling K. Brown about the unmet needs of people living with cancer and how we can help bridge the gap in post-treatment care for cancer survivors.

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2020-08-22

“I used to have all these preconceptions about cancer. Now I know that cancer can affect anyone.”

- Brandi, Ewing sarcoma survivor and U.S. Army veteran

Patient perspective
COVID-19
Well-being
Young adult

At home with Brandi during COVID-19

Brandi shares the parallels between facing cancer during active duty and COVID-19.

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Survivorship Statistics >

2020-06-26

“I try not to fear the future. After surviving two cancers, I’ve learned fear is an unwanted companion in my life.”

- Rebecca, two-time ovarian and thyroid cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being

At home with Rebecca

Rebecca strives each day to live in the moment.

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Patient & Caregiver Resources >

2020-07-11

“Even though we are physically isolated, it doesn’t mean we need to be socially isolated.”

- Marcia, ovarian cancer survivor

Patient perspective
COVID-19
Well-being

Marcia: Creating a community for survivors

Cancer survivor Marcia speaks with Sterling K. Brown about how creating an online community for patients and survivors has played a role in her healing process.

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Resources Near You >

2019-12-01

“All I knew about cancer was death, and I didn’t want to hear it.”

- AJ, lung cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being
Physical impact

AJ's perspective

When AJ found out he had stage 4 lung cancer and only a few years to live, he struggled to find comfort until he learned to find meaning in every moment.

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Patient & Caregiver Resources >

2020-01-18

“I’ll always be grieving for the life that could have been if it weren’t for cancer.”

- Rebecca, two-time ovarian and thyroid cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being

Rebecca’s perspective

Rebecca discusses the importance of a strong support system to help her through the thick and thin.

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Patient & Caregiver Resources >

2019-05-10

“Cancer has played a role in every decision I've made.”

- Jamie, breast cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being

Jamie’s perspective

Jamie was 14 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Years later, the fear of reoccurrence still follows Jamie and plays a role in every decision she makes.

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2020-06-26

“When I faced cancer, the concept of ‘normal’ really changed for me. And now facing the pandemic, normal has changed once again.”

- Justin, testicular cancer survivor

Patient perspective
COVID-19
Well-being
Young adult

At home with Justin during COVID-19

Justin shares how his cancer journey prepared him to adapt to the “new normal” he experienced during COVID-19.

Related Resources

Survivorship Statistics >

2020-01-17

“In some ways, Rebecca’s cancer has brought us closer together and, in some ways, it has driven us apart.”

- Robert, Rebecca’s partner

Caregiver perspective
Well-being

Robert's perspective

Robert discusses how cancer can impact relationships and his experience caring for his partner and two-time cancer survivor, Rebecca.

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2019-08-03

“In order for me to be healthy, I knew I needed to share my story.”

- Amy, breast cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Well-being

Amy's perspective

After breast cancer, Amy felt like there was no safe haven in the Asian American community to talk about her experience.

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2020-11-21

“What the entire world is living now is essentially what every stage 4 cancer survivor lives everyday - worry, uncertainty, change.”

- Rebecca, two-time ovarian and thyroid cancer survivor

Patient perspective
COVID-19
Well-being

At home with Rebecca during COVID-19

Rebecca shares COVID-19’s impact and how she’s adjusting to her “new normal.”

Related Resources

Patient & Caregiver Resources >

2019-11-30

“There’s no cure for multiple myeloma. I'll be living with cancer for the rest of my life.”

- Donna, living with multiple myeloma

Patient perspective
Well-being

Donna's perspective

When Donna was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, she was given three years to live. Now, despite daily challenges, she manages the disease as a chronic condition.

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2019-05-09

“Where I’m from, there’s still a lot of shame around cancer.”

- Bin, prostate cancer survivor

Patient perspective
Health equity
Well-being

Bin's perspective

Cancer is not often talked about in the African American community, so when Bin found out he had prostate cancer, he knew it was important to share his story.

Related Resources

Resources Near You >

2021-09-21

“The support that I received from my community set the tone for me to dedicate my life to volunteerism and advocating for health equity in cancer care.”

- Woody, osteosarcoma survivor and advocate

Patient perspective
Well-being
Health equity

Woody: Advocating for health equity in cancer care

Woody speaks with Sterling K. Brown about his cancer diagnosis as a child and how it shaped his life’s work.

Related Resources

2021-11-16

"Cancer survivors are not a homogenous community. Their needs are not all the same.”

- Eucharia, MSW, LCSW, oncology social worker, Cancer Support Community

Patient perspective
Well-being
Health equity

Eucharia, Oncology Social Worker: Navigating survivorship care in underserved communities

Eucharia speaks with Sterling K. Brown about the challenges in disadvantaged communities impacting people affected by cancer and how she supports these communities through her work.

Related Resources

2021-07-18

“I have had to focus more on what I want and not of what I’m afraid of.”

- Linda, living with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

Patient perspective
Well-being

Linda: Transitioning from care partner to patient

Linda shares with Sterling K. Brown the challenges she faces while living with a rare blood cancer after losing her husband to a similar disease.

Related Resources

2019-05-08

Overcoming barriers: Featuring breast cancer survivor Jamie and prostate cancer survivor Bin

Patient perspective
Well-being

Overcoming barriers:

Cancer survivors Bin and Jamie speak with Sterling K. Brown about finding support to overcome physical and emotional barriers around accessing quality care and survivorship resources.

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2019-08-01

Healing the mind: Featuring breast cancer survivor Amy and testicular cancer survivor Justin

Patient perspective
Well-being

Healing the mind:

Cancer survivors Amy and Justin speak with Sterling K. Brown to share how community and emotional support tools helped them overcome feelings of loneliness and anxiety brought on by cancer.

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2020-01-16

Relationships afterwards: Featuring ovarian and thyroid cancer survivor Rebecca and her partner Robert

Patient perspective
Caregiver perspective
Well-being

Relationships afterwards:

Two-time cancer survivor Rebecca and her partner Robert speak with Sterling K. Brown about how cancer can affect relationships and the way people living with the condition interact with others.

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Learn Why Cancer Survivorship is Personal to Sterling

"Today, living with cancer has taken on a different meaning, with new realities, triumphs and challenges."

- Sterling K. Brown, Actor, Three-time Emmy award winner, This Is Us

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Information and support if you or someone you know is living with cancer.

Survivorship Today: What It's Like to Live with Cancer

An initiative by Bristol Myers Squibb, Survivorship Today aims to share stories of people across the country who have been affected by cancer and advance our collective understanding of what it’s like to live with the disease today. We’re working with those featured to call attention to their personal triumphs and challenges, because with greater understanding, we can inspire more action and better support.

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Survivor Perspectives

Learn Why Cancer Survivorship is Personal to Sterling

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Survivorship Today: What It's Like to Live with Cancer

Survivorship Today: Cancer Survivor Stories - Bristol Myers Squibb

Survivor Perspectives

Learn Why Cancer Survivorship is Personal to Sterling

Resources

Survivorship Today: What It's Like to Live with Cancer

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