To beat the odds, one with great courage and strength, a true inspiration
I'm a 2-time survivor!!! I know and learned twice that cancer can NOT win!!
I was diagnosed with Leukemia B-ALL, and because of my age, I am at high risk.
I was 40 years old. It was my first mammogram.
My breast cancer was discovered after my 35th birthday. I was immediately thrown into all sorts of testing and treatment.
Who knew that breaking my front tooth during the pandemic in 2021 would lead me to the three little words - “You have cancer.”
I also lost my job when I was diagnosed with cancer, so I was worried I might lose my home during treatment.
At 10 years old, Amelie Escobedo is a shining example of courage, resilience, and determination.
In 2017 I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. I was a healthy, athletic, 32-year-old physical therapist with a huge mass in my colon that spread to my liver, abdominal wall, several lymph nodes, and both lungs.
In September 2021, the same year a 100-foot tree crashed through my home, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.
In 2023, while teaching special education in West Virginia, I was constantly sick and visiting doctors.
“Your cancer is advanced,” the doctor says without filters and preparation. In the hospital emergency room, numb from narcotics with a cloudy mind, with my teenage daughter amid the Covid-19 pandemic- I was diagnosed with Lymphoma.
I was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, and I am currently still taking my chemotherapy treatments.
I am a breast cancer survivor diagnosed at the age of 39. I never imagined going through such a painful and difficult process and wondering why me, with more questions than answers.
Ayden and his mom, Iliana, are a powerful team! They’ve faced the toughest and most joyous days together.
If you saw our beautiful, brave, and strong Ava in person, then you would almost forget the war that her little body is fighting.
Our team was based in San Bernardino and deployed to Ground Zero in New York shortly after the planes crashed into the twin towers.
I learned the power of a positive mindset. I focused on the good and celebrated every milestone.
My body suffered from deep depression, then came the cancer diagnosis. Symptoms included swelling, irritation, and intense discomfort in my left breast, leading me to the ER.
My surgeon quietly told me a large tumor was found after my thyroid removal. Two days later, I heard the worst word anyone can hear: cancer.
After my diagnosis in October 2025, I underwent surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy.
Then one day, while riding a tricycle at school, a sharp pain struck my right foot. I couldn’t walk, and not long after, I was diagnosed with leukemia.
April 28, 2010, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer, I was 24 years old. I was diagnosed after having the lump for over 7 years.
In 2020, after months of digestive issues, my doctor referred me to a GI specialist.
In July 2019, I was diagnosed with rare spindle cell melanoma (SCM), Stage 4. My radiation oncologist told me I had maybe one year to live.
I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at just 19 years old.
Cameron was randomly throwing up for a few months and it was becoming more and more frequent.
In November 2022, Carlos Camarena, Deputy Chief with Cal OES, received a diagnosis that would change his life—prostate cancer.
At the end of 2011, I was walking around Mt. Rubidoux asking my creator what my purpose in life was, aside from being a mom and fulltime conference coordinator.
My husband, Steven, and I, through Walter’s Automotive Group, have been proud sponsors of the Believe Walk for many years.
My diagnosis was high-grade serous carcinoma of the endometrium in late August of 2021.
This year, I will be celebrating my 12th year as a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 2012, 7 months after losing both my parents unexpectedly at age 60.
I am a two-time breast cancer survivor. The first time I was diagnosed at the age of 22, and the second time at the age of 46.
To encourage health and wellness, our hospital promoted the importance of having regular mammograms, something I had not done in four years. Thanks to that campaign, I had a mammogram, and I discovered I had lobular breast cancer.
In October 2023, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. My treatment included surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and ongoing medication.
On May 5, 2023, there I was, sitting looking at that paper, seeing for the first time my name next to the word CANCER.
In 2011 I found a little lump on my left leg. I made an appointment with my primary Dr. and I was sent home and told not to worry about it.
At 36, I thought I was in good health. I was eating well, exercising, and taking care of myself.
My dog, Bodi (who was magical, by the way), gently kept placing his nose on the outer side of that right breast. We pretty much suspected something was just not right.
My Name is Dr. Dee Mitchell, and I’m a two-time Ovarian/Breast Cancer Survivor. I am a U.S. Army Disabled Female Veteran.
Hello, my name is Delia Zapien. I am a 21-year ovarian cancer survivor! I was diagnosed at 22 yrs. old.
In December 2013, life changed as I knew it. I went in for my annual mammogram in November and was scheduled for a follow-up ultrasound.
After surviving and thriving following my prostate cancer diagnosis many years ago, I never expected to be diagnosed with another cancer.
I was diagnosed in January 2022, days before my 40th birthday.
Our son, Everest, was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) a month after his fourth birthday, and our world turned upside down.
In November 2016, I had a constant ache in my right breast that shortly went away but something told me to pay attention to that area in my breast.
I am a two-time cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in May 2016 and again in November 2017.
In the spring of 2018, I made an appointment with my doc because I had developed some dimpling on my left breast.
At 13 years old, Isabella Sierra is a shining example of resilience and courage. Before cancer entered her life, Bella was an excited 10-year-old looking forward to everything fourth grade had to offer.
In 2009, I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer at 30, a new father, and I was a non-smoker. I was in disbelief.
In May of 2023, I was diagnosed with axillary node metastases with occult primary breast cancer (triple negative).
My Oncology Surgeon says I am a “medical curiosity.” My surgery for Stage IV Vulvar Cancer was in 2010.
My cancer story began in 2013 with the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer.
I am a two-time Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor. I was first diagnosed in November 2021 with stage 1-2 TNC.
was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer over fifteen years ago, and began 14 rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a mastectomy and radiation.
Khloe is a sweet, spunky 11-year-old who has been receiving therapy for progressive neuroblastoma for many years.
Kendrick began experiencing night sweats, swollen hands, and nonstop crying. His family rushed him to the emergency room, and within an hour, they received the devastating news: Kendrick had leukemia.
In September 2022, Kimberly thought she had stage I breast cancer. However, her tumor was larger than initially thought.
My journey began with one symptom I knew wasn’t right. I was due for my annual physical exam that month, and a few days after that visit, I was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma.
In January 2019, I had constant pain in my right breast, and although I couldn’t feel anything unusual, I felt uneasy.
After I was diagnosed with testicular cancer, I reached out to the Firefighters Cancer Support Network (FCSN).
In April, my mammogram was clear. But in June, I found a lump. I received the terrible news after the tests and the biopsy results.
According to The American Cancer Society, about 1 in every 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. I never thought I would be that “one.”
My life has changed since being diagnosed with cancer. Going through chemotherapy and radiation made me weak, sick, and tired.
The word CANCER is scary; on May 23, 2023, that word was said to me. Breast cancer is the start of my long journey.
In 2011, I was working my dream job as a law enforcement officer for the county where I lived. While on patrol, I began to feel pain in my left hip.
My initial journey with breast cancer officially began 30 years ago.
In March 2021, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy.
I remember the exact day I was diagnosed with cancer, April 12, 2024. I was taken to CHLA for a biopsy.
I could’ve never imagined being diagnosed at 30 in the middle of a pandemic with stage 3 TNBC.
My name is Maria Mertzel, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2019, at the age of 49. I did not have a history of breast cancer in my family, so it was a shock to have this diagnosis.
In 2000, at age thirty-four, I found a lump in my breast, which was diagnosed as stage I invasive ductal carcinoma.
I was diagnosed with tonsil and skin cancer. Despite my diagnosis, I enjoy simple activities like visiting the park, sewing, and reading books.
Marlee’s life took a dramatic turn at age 2 when diagnosed with stage IV Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer.
I asked myself why, in my family, there is no history of women with breast cancer. When I received my cancer diagnosis, I cried for two hours straight.
My journey was perplexing, but the recovery was a miracle from the Lord.
I have survived 3 cancers (skin, breast, and uterine cancers). Thank you, GOD, for your divine healing.
My first diagnosis of Breast Cancer was in 1992.
In early 2019, Mathew was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2020. I was working the day they called me to give me the results.
In 2003, I was diagnosed with colon cancer, a life-changing event that ultimately led to the creation of a movement that has helped thousands of firefighters.
In spring 2018, I received a call from the doctor’s office. A biopsy that had been taken of the mass on my neck turned out to be mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).
No history of cancer in my family, but after a biopsy, I was given the words no one wants to hear “YOU HAVE CANCER.”
In March 2000, while serving as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Orange County Fire Authority, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
My journey has been pretty good. I feel blessed because I am still alive, and I thank all the doctors at Loma Linda University Cancer Center.
On May 4, 2015, a lumpectomy was performed with needle localization. I felt horrible when I came out of surgery.
I received my diagnosis on January 12, 2018. I had my annual mammogram, which found some calcifications.
I was diagnosed with Primary CNS Lymphoma Diffuse Large B-cell brain cancer in 2022.
No one ever wants to hear those dreadful three words, “You have cancer,” but it happens every day. I am a 3x cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in November 2014, July 2017, and October 2018.
The Desert Cancer Foundation had a profound impact on my ability to recover from my treatments.
In September of 2023, I went in for a checkup, and by July, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer.
Twenty-five years ago, I thought I was having premenopausal symptoms and wasn’t paying much attention to it. When the constant pain started, I knew there was something seriously wrong.
It was June of 2006. I was in the best shape of my life.
When I was 3 years old, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Kidney, a rare childhood cancer.
Sabetai faced a tough journey when diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at just three years old.
In February 2018, my world was turned upside down I was told I had Stage III Meningioma.
In April 2021, at the age of 35, I found a lump in my breast after I finished breastfeeding my oneyear- old daughter.
My journey has been full of challenges, but it drew us closer together and taught us to cherish family and the simple things in life.
February 17, 2022, was the day that my world came crashing down around me. “Are you at home… do you have time to talk?”
Facing cancer is not only physically exhausting, but it can also create overwhelming financial and emotional stress.
Cancer has always been a large part of my life, affecting my grandfather, my father, and then my patients during my time as a Peds Hem/Onc Nurse at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH).
I was diagnosed with TNBC (triple-negative breast cancer) in March 2021. I had just returned home from vacation and felt a small lump in my left breast.
As someone living with NED (No Evidence of Disease), I am proof that cancer research saves lives.
Summer of 2017, while taking a shower, I found a lump in my armpit. I immediately made an appointment with my primary doctor and was told it was a cyst or ingrown hair.
At a wellness symposium years before my diagnosis, I learned of the Firefighters Cancer Support Network (FCSN), which we always thought would be a great tool should anyone in our department get a cancer diagnosis.
As I reflect on my cancer journey, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude, not only for healing but also for the strength that carried me through.
In October 2023, my family and I were traveling to Disneyland for a long-awaited vacation when I suddenly became very ill.
It was Thanksgiving break in 2020 when I received a phone call from my doctor calling to let me know I had breast cancer.
Diagnosed in 2019 with Stage II BRCA I-positive breast cancer, then in 2023 with TNBC that spread to lymph nodes. I was devastated and unsure how to cope a second time.
Two years ago, while being prepared for a medical procedure, I learned through routine screening that I had prostate cancer.
My annual mammogram showed a suspicious image that needed more follow-up.
When I received the diagnosis, I felt the world tilt. Cancer, only one word, caused a thousand fears, but love poured in like morning sun through stormy windows.
