Category Cancer Patient Stories

Full-circle moment for granddaughter and nurse

December 3, 2021

Meredith Bertoni, a Clinical Research Coordinator at Dana-Farber working in the Center for Prevention of Progression for Hematologic Malignancies, is also the proud granddaughter of the late Al Wahlers, whom she called “Dah” before he passed away in 2020 at…

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Mother and daughter use yoga to keep mom strong, healthy during cancer treatment

November 18, 2021

To recognize Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with Barbara Ackerman, a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute patient, and her daughter, Jessica. Barbara is currently undergoing treatment at Dana-Farber for stage IV lung cancer. Barbara, can you tell us a bit about…

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Having fun—and giving back—in Aniketh’s memory

November 17, 2021

Whenever Ramakrishna Chivukula and Soujanya Mallapragada asked their son Aniketh how his day at school was, the answer was always an enthusiastic “FUN!” Despite being in treatment for a pediatric brain tumor’s side effects and treatment complications for seven years,…

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Glioblastoma patient inspires others to move, to advance treatment for rare disease

November 8, 2021

In July 2021, Heather Walker, a fun-loving wife and mom of two, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer, after a horrible headache landed her in the emergency room. Despite the shocking news, she immediately…

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Facing uncertain future, pancreatic cancer patient defies odds

November 2, 2021

When John Byrnes first learned he was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, he was devastated. At age 72, he was enjoying retired life in Gloucester with Mollie, his wife of 50 years, spending their time gardening, enjoying the local…

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Breast cancer patient takes steps to help others

October 15, 2021

In 2009, Sandra Broome, a 33-year-old active mom, was surprised to receive a breast cancer diagnosis, especially at such a young age. She quickly had a double mastectomy to treat the disease, thinking that would be that. But two weeks…

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Hastings family celebrates 10 years of the Casey Street Gang

October 1, 2021

In June 2010, the Hastings family found themselves feeling helpless upon learning their sister Suzie was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. The news came as a huge shock to all, especially given Suzie was never a smoker. One day,…

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