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Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Conquering Cancer




If you’re lucky, every once in a while there comes an unexpected moment that profoundly changes you. It breathes fresh air and life into you, reminding you of a simple forgotten truth: You are a part of something much bigger than yourself. This was one of those moments.


My oncologist and I were asked together to share how cancer research has been a part of our lives. We stood in a room of donors, oncologists, researchers, board members and benefactors to share the difference they have made for us, not to the field of oncology or scientific research, but to OUR stories. And it was life-changing. 

Dr. Wilky shared about Pamela, the patient that led her to become a sarcoma specialist; and Manny, the patient that ignited her fiery aggression toward ASPS that led to the start of the axi/pembro clinical trial that I’m on. I was able to share about my young family’s long hard journey with cancer, and the miraculous response I am experiencing on this clinical trial, the new life it has brought me. 

Before I left for the ASCO conference in Chicago this past weekend, my dad told me to take an intentional moment to take it all in just for memory’s sake (wise counsel from someone who knows my tendency to repress and forget). As I stood on the stage looking at the crowd that was gathered before me, I took time to dwell in the moment. I soaked in the lights and sounds and ambiance. I looked at the faces that were listening to me. And do you know what I saw on the faces of cancer’s big donors as I told them my story? Compassion, pride, joy, excitement. Compassion for me, pride in their work, joy that their donations were meaningful, excitement for a future of more successes.

I was profoundly struck in that moment by the realization that I am a part of something much bigger than myself. I was struck that my story would have had a much different ending if Dr. Wilky had not been funded as a young researcher; if someone in a lab had not spent many late night hours developing axitinib; if someone at a drug company had not championed the approval of pembro; if Pamela or Manny had not crossed Dr. Wilky’s path; if Dr. Keedy had never heard of the axi/pembro trial; if there had not been a foundation to raise money specifically for ASPS research; if a donor had kept their wallet closed instead of giving to my travel fund; if just one of these people had forged a different path… I may not be here. 

This story is not just mine, it's theirs. It's Manny's story and Pamela's story and Dr. Wilky's story. It belongs to her mentors, to the research donors, to the axi/pembro phase I trial patients, to Pfizer and Merk, to nurses and pathologists, phlebotomists and techs. It belongs to you for reading this blog.

I am a part of something much bigger than myself. I’ve said many times that my journey is really God’s story that he is writing with life. And I have failed to widen my gaze enough to see that God is not bent over his desk with a pen in hand scribbling out his story for me, but he is orchestrating us all together (not orchestrating our every move, of course, but harmonizing our different gifts and purposes). We belong to the same symphony, our stories resounding together. 

I carry with me the sacrifice, generosity, and love of the many many many people who have come before me and along side of me to bring me healing. It's not just my story, it belongs to all of us. 

And guess what? Your story does too. Whatever your story, it also carries with it the sacrifice, generosity, and love from the many before you. You are a part of something bigger than yourself. Take time to dwell in this moment and let it sink in that there are many many many people who have come before you and along side of you to bring you to where you are now, your spot in the symphony. It’s inspiring and humbling and compelling.

Over the last three years, the Conquer Cancer Foundation was able to raise over $152 million dollars for cancer research, exceeding their goal by over $2 million. On the night Dr. Wilky and I spoke at the CCF Evening to Conquer Cancer, 6 Young Investigator Awards were funded for young oncologists to begin their research careers. They were hoping for 4. 

Our stories are compelling. God's hand in our lives is evident and compelling. And I'm talking about your life too. Let's share those stories. Let's compel each other toward good, toward conquering. 


Watch the speech here:











12 comments:

  1. Replies


    1. Hello everybody,

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      Hello everybody,

      I don't just know the reason why some people is finding it difficult to believe that there is a cure for herpes, I have been suffering from herpes since last three years with my boyfriend but today I am happy that am cure from it with the herbal medicine of  PRIEST WISDOM  the great healer, I was browsing the internet searching for help when I came across a testimony shared by someone on how  PRIEST WISDOM   cure his herpes I was so much in need of getting his treatment but after all PRIEST WISDOM brought a smile to my face with his herbal medicine. I am so much happy today that we have someone like this great healer out there, so my people out there kindly contact this great healer on his email address: Supernaturalspell1@gmail.com  please sir keep your good work cause there are people out there who is in need of your healing medicine.once more contact him now: Supernaturalspell1@gmail.com  you can call him or whatsApp his number   +2348124644470 









      Hello everybody,

      I don't just know the reason why some people is finding it difficult to believe that there is a cure for herpes, I have been suffering from herpes since last three years with my boyfriend but today I am happy that am cure from it with the herbal medicine of  PRIEST WISDOM  the great healer, I was browsing the internet searching for help when I came across a testimony shared by someone on how  PRIEST WISDOM   cure his herpes I was so much in need of getting his treatment but after all PRIEST WISDOM brought a smile to my face with his herbal medicine. I am so much happy today that we have someone like this great healer out there, so my people out there kindly contact this great healer on his email address: Supernaturalspell1@gmail.com  please sir keep your good work cause there are people out there who is in need of your healing medicine.once more contact him now: Supernaturalspell1@gmail.com  you can call him or whatsApp his number   +2348124644470 

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    2. Hello Readers .I am very happy to share this amazing testimony, i was hurt and heart broken when my husband leave me for another woman i was confused and didn't know what to do, i loved him so much, i tried all i could to make her come back to me but to no avail, on one faithfully day as i was coming from work i met a friend of mine whom i explain my problem to, and he told me of a spell caster and a good spiritualist called "Dr. tunde whom also made her pregnant when she was looking for a child, i contacted the spell caster through the email she gave to me, and the spell caster told me what to do and i did exactly as i was told, to my greatest surprise, my husband come back to me and started apologizing and now she is with me brothers and sisters if you know you are passing through any kind problem contact him and i give you 100% guarantee that he will solve your problems. You can contact him via his email: babatundesolutioncentre1@gmail.com or via his whats-app: +2348143581382 Also specialize in treating all kinds of illness, HERPES VIRUS, HEPATITIS B, CANCER, BRAIN DISEASE, INFERTILITY, DIABETES AND MORE

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  2. Brittany, I am so overjoyed to hear that your treatment has been so successful and I loved watching your speech - thank you so much for sharing the video. I am continually inspired by the way you are using the trials in your life to bring glory to God. Sending you lots of love! - Katie

    ReplyDelete

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  4. Hello everybody,

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  8. Hello Readers .I am very happy to share this amazing testimony, i was hurt and heart broken when my husband leave me for another woman i was confused and didn't know what to do, i loved him so much, i tried all i could to make her come back to me but to no avail, on one faithfully day as i was coming from work i met a friend of mine whom i explain my problem to, and he told me of a spell caster and a good spiritualist called "Dr. tunde whom also made her pregnant when she was looking for a child, i contacted the spell caster through the email she gave to me, and the spell caster told me what to do and i did exactly as i was told, to my greatest surprise, my husband come back to me and started apologizing and now she is with me brothers and sisters if you know you are passing through any kind problem contact him and i give you 100% guarantee that he will solve your problems. You can contact him via his email: babatundesolutioncentre1@gmail.com or via his whats-app: +2348143581382 Also specialize in treating all kinds of illness, HERPES VIRUS, HEPATITIS B, CANCER, BRAIN DISEASE, INFERTILITY, DIABETES AND MORE

    ReplyDelete
  9. WHAT A GREAT MIRACLE THAT I HAVE EVER SEE IN MY LIFE. My names are Clara David I’m a citizen of USA, My younger sister was sicking of breast cancer and her name is Sandra David I and my family have taking her to all kind of hospital in USA still yet no good result. I decided to make search for cancer cure so that was how I find a lady called peter Lizzy she was testifying  to the world about the goodness of a herbal man who has the roots and herbs to cure all kind of disease and the herbal man email was there. So I decided to contact the herbal man @herbalist_sakura for my younger sister help to cure her breast cancer. I contacted him and told him my problem he told me that I should not worry that my sister cancer will be cure, he told me that there is a medicine that he is going to give me that I will cook it and give it to my sister to drink for one week, so I ask how can I receive the cure that I am in USA, he told me That I will pay for the delivery service. The courier service can transport it to me so he told me the amount I will pay, so my dad paid for the delivery fee. two days later I receive the cure from the courier service so I used it as the herbal man instructed me to, before the week complete my sister cancer was healed and it was like a dream to me not knowing that it was physical I and my family were very happy about the miracle of Doctor so my dad wanted to pay him 5 million us dollars the herbal man did not accept the offer from my dad, but I don't know why he didn't accept the offer, he only say that I should tell the world about him and his miracle he perform so am now here to tell the world about him if you or your relative is having any kind of disease that you can't get from the hospital please contact dr.sakuraspellalter@gmail.com or whats app him +2348110114739  you can follow him up on Instagram @herbalist_sakura for the cure, he will help you out with the problem. And if you need more information about the doctor you can mail me davidclara223@gmail.com 

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