A HealthBeat Special Series

Inspired Journeys

The Inspired Journeys mural showcases incredible photos of people facing their cancer battles with extraordinary bravery. The photos accompany patient stories. Looking at this piece, you don’t see cancer. You see a veteran, an artist, a firefighter, a musician, a new wife, a dog lover, a grandma, a mother, a friend. These are not just patients, they are people. Everyday heroes.

Health Beat Special Series
Patient Story

Life after cancer: Puppy love

Cantaloupe-size masses on her ovary shattered her world, but now this survivor has faith in the future.

Patient Story

Falling into place

Breast cancer survivor Mary Rottier has joined forces with her therapy dogs to deliver a message of hope and healing.

Patient Story

‘At no time did I have any fear’

A former high school principal battles his way through four cancers and two transplants. His goal now? To encourage others for however long he has left.

Patient Story

‘This was a big wake-up call for me’

Michelle Jones stared down her mortality when diagnosed with breast cancer. Now, she looks toward the present—and the future.

Patient Story

‘Beauty in the battle’

Emily Rickert lost a loved one to breast cancer. Two weeks later, at age 24, she was diagnosed.

Patient Story

Fighting cancer and fires

Firefighter Phil Hunderman had cancer smoldering in his cells. But early detection doused the disease.

Patient Story

Going home, with love

Help from friends and strangers made Alfonso Guerra’s last wish come true: He returned to Nicaragua.

Patient Story

‘Life is good’

Having endured a host of treatments, Gary Lemmen sees the positive side of stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Patient Story

Drumming up donors

Grateful for the stem cell donor who saved his life, Perry Cheathem is now on a mission to encourage others to Be the Match.

Patient Story

‘We felt like our world had fallen apart’

After battling colon cancer, a mom of two hones her woodworking and art skills to launch a successful home decor business.

Patient Story

‘I truly had God watching over me’

Facing a nightmare diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Karyn Wolschleger finds something unexpected: Hope.

College students’ quilts warm cancer patients

Cancer survivor: 'It’s amazing how something like cancer can bring so many people together.'