Patient Stories

Whether you’re a cancer survivor, friend, loved one, or medical professional, this is a day for everyone.

Clinical providers, researchers, staff & health leaders came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center (now DCI).

"Survivor Friendly" began in 2016 after the founder, Jacqueline Cromity, had more than her fair share of cancer experiences.

The Duke Cancer Institute is excited to announce the establishment of the Duke Sarcoma Center, a center of excellence for sarcoma treatment and research.

The V Foundation Victory Ride to Cure Cancer returns 4.21 to 5.21 (virtual) and May 21 in person with cycling on greenways & roads and on-site spin classes.

“Each time there are new diagnostic tools and there are new treatments. I've been following the wave for 22 years now." — prostate cancer survivor Michael Johnstone.

A novel collaboration between DCI's Supportive Care & Survivorship Center and the Duke Fertility Center is helping cancer patients' family-dreams come true.

"During my testicular cancer journey at Duke, I was inspired to form an organization that impacts the lives of men in our city" — hockey coach Matt Cross

"She is now five years out from completing her therapy for pancreatic cancer and is disease-free, and what we would consider cured.”

There's nothing like cancer, many survivors say, to remind you that nothing is guaranteed. Good or bad. Renee Garber got an unexpected "bonus year."

“I was feeling hopeless and as I was being treated by Dr. Crawford and Susan Blackwell, I started feeling hopeful of a future. I wanted to show this gratitude.”

Having a relationship with your doctor matters, accordng to patient Art Cain.

A DCI breast cancer care team joins forces with a genetics counselor to treat mother with high-risk genetic syndrome; prompting testing and preventative screening for her kids.

Stacia Smart rolled in to Duke Medicine Circle on Oct. 8 to welcoming cheers. She had just cycled 1,100-mile in memory of her boyfriend Owen Strong who passed away from glioblastoma in Jan. 2020.

Three years ago the retired NCCU Dean of Student Learning, 73, walked 60 miles to raise money for breast cancer. Now she's facing down an aggressive lymphoma.

Jen Eaton, MD, was a textbook example of a woman at low risk for breast cancer.

Long an advocate for others with cancer, Nancy Wright is in the midst of her second battle with the disease.

Cancer support therapy empowers Duke patients and their loved ones at no charge. Inclusivity is key.

The 19th Annual Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Cancer Walk & 5K Run — both in-person and virtual — raised funds, awareness & the community's spirits

Developed by of the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program at DCI, KidsCan! has been supporting children through a loved one's cancer diagnosis since 2007.

Four-year ovarian cancer survivor Kathy Jennings says that attending the annual Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Cancer Walk and 5K Run each year feels like coming home. 

After a lengthy surgery failed to remove a cancerous mass from her pancreas, Sharlene Mitchell’s doctors told her nothing more could be done. Then she came to Duke.

“I had always considered myself one of the healthiest people I knew ...”

McKinnon Bowen picked up running after his brain cancer diagnosis. Now he's using his new talent to support those who healed him.

No matter how sick he was, Bobby never felt “done” with life. He lived it to the fullest, and his legacy lives on.

For breast cancer patient Erin Hatcher, participating in a research study to learn about the potential for heart-related side effects of chemotherapy is a “win-win” situation to protect her health in the future.

Madelyn Wilson finds that getting involved with Duke's Teen and Young Adult Oncology Program a way to finding purpose after ending active cancer treatment.

In 2018, April Wilder was diagnosed with cervical cancer.  During her cancer journey, there were times when she was on the verge of giving up, but she credits the team at the Duke Cancer Institute for pushing her through the times when she couldn’t fight for herself. 

Duke Cancer Institute has given stage 4 cancer survivor Milos Bogetic precious extra time with his wife and growing young son.

Finding the Answers, Together

Breast cancer survivor Katrina Cooke has become a professional speaker, peer mentor, and advocate.

Working as a hematology-oncology nurse practitioner at Duke for more than two decades, Duke University School of Nursing graduate Heather Paradis had no idea that she would one day experience cancer care from the other side.

Just like doctors at Duke were there for her mom, Brandy Chieco now wants to be there for others who will also face the same rare cancer. 

Honoring a beloved Duke coach.

This holiday season, two stage 4 lung cancer survivors share their inspirational stories of healing and how they are passing on the gift.

DCI clinical social worker Terri Stong started smoking four years ago during an extremely stressful period of her life. Tobacco cessation treatment at Duke and a reminder of what she has to live for turned her around.

Ron Peed attributes his great outcome despite an aggressive cancer to early diagnosis, his care at Duke Raleigh, and his own mental toughness.

A Duke mammographer shares her breast cancer story.

Katrina Cooke has beaten the odds; surviving nearly nine years with metastatic breast cancer. Giving of her time to make things better for others has been her lifeline.

In observance of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Denise Spector, PhD, shares her husband's final months spent fighting cancer and thanks his heroes on 9100.

Michael Salomone, 54, was riding his daughter’s single-speed bicycle to work in May 2017 when he first felt the knot on the back of his thigh.

Living life as a teen after cancer isn't easy. Duke's Teen and Young Adult Oncology Program is here to help.

Diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer three years ago, Kathy Jennings was thrown a lifeline when she came to Duke Cancer Center.

Cancer doesn't wait for COVID-19.

Non-profit director and mother Elizabeth Levene fights cancer that has spread to the brain.

Physician assistant and mom Katie Mackin found she was more than a "patient number" at the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis.

After losing her younger brother to cancer, Ross Harris says getting involved with Duke Cancer Institute gave her power over the disease.

After losing their "brain sister," three "brain brothers" carry on her message of hope in the fight against brain cancer.

Medical oncologist John Strickler, MD, and his patient Tom Vibert, a stage 4 colon cancer survivor, talk about the importance of biomarker testing.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. Take a moment to thank a volunteer.