Survivor Series

After months of dealing with constant hip pains, fevers and dramatic weight-loss, at 22-years old, Phil Zielke was told he had stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “It was very scary to hear those words attached to your name, and it affected me and my...

“I had just ran my first Chicago Marathon on October 12, 2009 and I was feeling pretty good about myself for that accomplishment,” Amanda Lyons recalled. Right after running the Chicago Marathon back in October 2009 and turning 38 years old,...

In leading non-profit organizations and dedicating her life to helping those in need, Rachel Hurst was able to find new growth after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. In 2012, Hurst underwent surgery to remove what, at the time, was called...

  “Overall, my life changed the most when I found out that I was a lot stronger than what I thought I was,” said Sue Ebeltoft. Sue Ebeltoft was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin's Disease, otherwise known as Lymph Node Cancer, in 1999 at the...

At just 29 years old and with no family history of breast cancer, Rachel Boose was shocked when doctors found a tumor visible on her mammogram. She was sent for a second mammogram which confirmed her worst fears. As the word ‘cancer’ filled the...

“I’m going to beat this.” That was the through-line of Jeff Winstead’s conversation detailing his journey with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Amidst a whirlwind of treatments, symptoms, and emotional ups and downs, that has remained his mantra...

In times of fear and uncertainty, our true self comes out to guide us. For Sandy McDade, a 15-year breast cancer survivor, she found strength within herself that she never knew she had, providing insight into the person she is today. On January 23rd,...

“I was planning my life, where to go to college or where to go on spring break. When I was diagnosed with cancer, it was nothing I would ever expect.” Two-time cancer survivor Tina Chip has remained positive despite the life-changing obstacles...

When diagnosed with cancer, reaching out to other survivors is one of the best ways to foster the strength to overcome the disease. Fortunately, local women that face breast cancer can find refuge at the Pink Ribbon Society, founded by Ann Peters, a...

The most harrowing challenges can lead to the most unexpectedly rewarding pursuits. Heather Banks can attest to that. In September of 2007, Banks discovered she was pregnant with her second child. During a routine appointment with her obstetrician,...