Category: Survivors in the News - Part 2
Cancer and The Golden Girl
Shannon Miller will be forever remembered as the first U.S. gymnast to capture gold on the balance beam at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. She garnered her second gold that summer after she and her U.S. teammates, the “Magnificent Seven,” took team gold. It was a magical time for the 5’1,” 95-pound gymnast…
Viviendo! She’s Never Lost Her Voice
When soprano Barbara Padilla took the stage on “America’s Got Talent” in 2009 and performed a stunning rendition of “Con to Partiro,” a star was born. “That was the greatest single vocal performance we’ve ever had on ‘America’s Got Talent,’” said judge Piers Morgan. Padilla eventually won second place, but she comes in first when…
Equestrian Eventer Takes Most Challenging Course, Jumping Breast Cancer
Beth Perkins, equestrian trainer and international eventer, grew up riding horses, a member of one of America’s most prominent eventing families. Her parents, Essie and Read Perkins, were leaders in the growth of eventing in the United States, and both Beth and sister Bea were two of the youngest A-level Pony Club riders ever. U.S….
Did You Ever Ask God, “Why Me?”
My big sister, Suzette, was always bigger than life in my eyes. We are four years apart but she always seemed so cool, so capable. I watched her organize protests against injustices in high school, be a leader in every organization she joined, and set trends. Simply said, Suzette was my hero. She still is….
Matt Ferster, Founder/President, Single Jingles A Testicular Cancer Foundation
On January, 23 2009, at age 21, Matt Ferstler was diagnosed with testicular cancer. As part of Matt’s treatment, his left testicle was removed, leaving him with just one and thus, as he puts it, a “Single Jingle.” The thought of losing a testicle can be unbearable for some men, but it beats the alternative….
Lifting the Taboo on Colon Cancer
Every person’s story and experience with cancer is unique. Yet they all share a common quality. The details of the diagnosis and treatment may vary but they all have the inspiring characteristic of a transformative effect on the survivor’s life. Fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo shares his journey of being diagnosed with colon cancer, where…
Oh, My Lord! You Won’t Believe This One!
In Reverend Susan Sparks’ book, “Laugh Your Way to Grace,” a single phrase sums the unique perspective of a lawyer, minister, standup comedian cancer survivor: “…alone with what were soon to be my two constant companions: cancer and sarcasm.” After facing a breast cancer diagnosis five years ago, Susan Sparks found herself using humor to…
Cancer, Comedy & Friendship
Who is Will Reiser? He’s the screenwriter and executive producer of the hit comedy “50/50” a film inspired by his own journey of coming to grips with a spinal cancer diagnosis at a young age. Kate Allen Stukenberg chats with Reiser about his emotional inability to deal with the cancer, the often futile but humorous…