Patient Stories

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

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.

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.

Used to rescuing others in medical distress, Jerry Sams never expected to be the one in need of saving.

Tristan Evans walked around his neighborhood with his daughter Janelle for colon cancer awareness. Dozens social-distanced for the March 21 Duke CRUSH 5K.

"It's my comfort spot. I can live my life when I’m here, even if I’m not feeling well, and they are always here to take care of me.”

A new Bone Metastasis Clinic focuses exclusively on patients like Pam Kohl whose cancer has spread to their arms, legs or pelvis.
 

McKenzie Stone is giving back in memory of her grandfather, Harold, who passed away from lung cancer in January 2018.

Genetic testing at Duke revealed a devastating diagnosis for a young nurse. But she feels it also may have saved her life.

Duke Fencing students are asking the community to Fence4TheFight against breast cancer, in honor of their long-time manager Elizabeth Beguinet.

This year's Annual Report spotlights the work of the new Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis at DCI as well as a Duke-Durham stomach cancer prevention partnership. 

For Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center staff assistant Anne Beebe, the center's annual Angels Among Us 5K and Walk of Hope is deeply personal.

No one teaches you how to advocate and care for your loved one. One woman — a wife, mother, and caregiver— share's her journey down this path and beyond.

For some patients, targeted therapy is their best shot. The Molecular Tumor Board at DCI is matching more and more patients to approved therapies and clinical trials.

More than 250 members of the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program community came together on Thursday, December 5, for the Nancy Weaver Emerson 29th Annual Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony.

Life threw Chad Eddy “a curve ball" when a simple back pain escalated into something much bigger. Now, in recovery, he's giving back.

There was no stopping Chantal's stamina for running or mothering, until the day, last September, that she felt a lump behind her right femur.

When Barbara Pullen-Smith, PhD, was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was stunned and in disbelief. Little did she know then that she would soon meet a friend for life.

Anderson Garrett was working for a textile manufacturing company when in April 2006 her mother learned she had adenocarcinoma.

Medical family therapist Patrick Plumeri guides cancer patients and their loved ones as they explore big life questions and helps them manage the disease's daily stresses.

A few dozen grateful patients, providers and staff came together on Wednesday, May 15, for a sunny reception to honor Donna Bernstein.

For Dunlow, his family has always been the treasure of his heart. When facing an unexpected diagnosis in 2017, it was his family that inspired him to never give up.  

When Robert “Bob” List, 73, a retired colonel with the U.S. Marine Corps, was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer, he immediately began to research the “enemy” threat.