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,

      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 









      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 

      Delete
    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

      Delete
  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

  3. WHAT A GREAT MIRACLE THAT I HAVE EVER SEE IN MY LIFE. My names are Robert Mary
    I’m a citizen of United Kingdom, My younger sister was Sicking of
    breast cancer and her name is Robert Jane, I and my family have taking
    her to all kind of hospital in UK still yet no good result. I decided
    to go to the internet and search for cancer cure so that was how I
    find a lady called Sarah peter she was testifies to the world about
    the goodness of a herbal man who has the root and half to cure all
    kind of disease and the herbal email was there. So I decided to
    contact the herbal man 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 UK, 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 did not accept the offer,he only said
    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.ogididanspelltemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp him +2347067393105,message him on instragram dr.ogididanspelltemple for the cure, he will help you out
    with any problems you have.To get more information you can message me via email robertmary8947@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. 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 

    ReplyDelete
  5. HOW I GOT MY EX HUSBAND BACK WITH THE HELP OF REAL AND EFFECTIVE SPELL FROM DR Osasu My name is Olivia Jayden, I never thought I will smile again, My husband left me with two kids for one year, All effort to bring him back failed I thought I'm not going to see him again not until I met a lady called Jesse who told me about a spell caster called Dr. Osasu , She gave me his email address and mobile number and I contacted him and he assured me that within 48hours my husband will come back to me, In less than 48hours my husband came back started begging for forgiveness saying it is the devils work, so I'm still surprise till now about this miracle,i couldn't conceive but as soon as the spell was cast,i became pregnant and gave birth to my third child,if you need any assistance from him you can contact him via:email: drosasu25@gmail.com Or WhatsApp or call him now:
    +2347064365391 . Dr.Osasu also cures: 1. HIV / AIDS 2. HERPES 1/2 3. CANCER 4. ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) 5. Hepatitis B

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thisis my testimony about the good work of Dr Ralph who help me.... I'm Morreen Dolly from north Carolina USA. And am sorry for putting this on net but i will have to, by this world best spell caster that brought back my husband who left me out for past 3 years, i eventually met this man on a blog site posting by one of is client for help, i explained everything to him and he told me about a spell caster that he had heard about and he gave me an email address to write to the spell caster to tell him my problems. In just 1 days, my husband was back to me. I just want to say thank you to this truthful and sincere spell caster, sir all you told me have come to pass and thank you sir. Please i want to tell everyone who is looking for any solution to their problem, i advice you to kindly consult this spell caster, he is real,he is powerful and whatever the spell caster tell is what will happen, because all what the spell caster told me came to pass. He can also cast spell like Love spell, Divorce, Winning court case, Cure for any sickness like[cancer, diabetes, Hiv/Aids and many more], Lottery winning spell, Pregnancy spell And many more....  You can kindly contact him on his email address is Ralphspellsolution@gmail.com or directly on whats-app on +2347037816417.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello I'm From Memphis Tennessee, USA I feel so joyful today because of the
    help Dr Sunny has rendered to me for getting my Husband back with his
    spell. I have been married for 4 years and it has been so terrible because
    my husband was cheating on me and was seeking for a divorce. But when i
    came across Dr Sunny Email, on the internet posted by a lady, i decided to
    get in touch with him and i explained my situation to him and then seek his
    help but to my greatest surprise he told me that he will help me with my
    case for there is no problem without a solution. Here i am celebrating
    because my Husband is back home and am really enjoying my marriage, what a
    great celebration. i will keep on testifying on the internet because Dr
    Sunny is truly a real spell caster. Why not contact Dr Sunny now if you are
    facing any challenges in your relationship life. Email {
    solutioncentre911@gmail.com } you can call Dr or whats app him via
    {+2349056393169} His Also specialize in the following illness,
    1) HIV/AIDS CURE
    2) Pregnancy SPELL
    3) HSV 1&2 CURE
    4) FIBROID CURE
    5) ALS CURE
    6) CANCER CURE
    7) BRAIN DISEASES CURE
    8) DIABETES CURE
    contact this great man if you have any problem for a lasting solution
    Through his email via { solutioncentre911@gmail.com } .

    ReplyDelete
  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 

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am out today to let the world know about this great man from Africa he is a good man and his spell work 💯 % according to your heart desire contacts him today and get your problem Solved because when I contacted him I thought it won't work but at last am with my husband today and with my kids all thanks to Dr Okosun you are indeed a great man God bless you' you can contact him via what's app +2348133974847 or Okosunspelltemple33@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete