"The doctor I was with in Billings told me I had a 5 percent chance of living six months. He also said I should get my affairs in order because basically I was done. Now at this time in my life I was 29 years old, self-employed, a volunteer fireman and I was working toward early retirement. I was in the prime of my life, so having only six months of life left to meet my goals was simply not enough time.

When it was all looking grim, a great doctor entered my life by way of a family connection, Dr. Winston Ho, director of gene and cellular therapy UCI Irvine, Calif. One of the smartest men I have ever me. He said, “We can fix you, no problem. We do it all the time.” One week later, I was at UCI with tubes hanging out of me in preparation for a stem cell transplant. It worked like a dream.

I don’t have time to share all of the details, but the important thing is that was 14 years ago. I am cancer free — considered cured. I am now happily married and I have a beautiful baby girl which I was told I may never have."

Greg Anderson
Hodgkin's Disease 1995

"As a 46-year-old woman who is a wife, a mother with young boys still at home, and a downtown business owner, the last thing I needed to hear was, 'You have breast cancer.' By God's grace, my family and I took it all in stride and I began that difficult and surreal journey through cancer treatments, which I finished in May 2007. I am now in remission.

There are hidden gifts in having cancer: greater appreciation of loved ones, deeper compassion for the sick and suffering (especially those who care for them), new friends who are in the same battle, understanding the complexity of our bodies, and a more sincere and loving relationship with God, as He draws near to those carrying this cross."
Mary Lou Cummings
Breast Cancer 2007

"Every day is a gift from God! I have always loved to learn, to make music, and to be creative. During the fall of 2004, two CAT scans, an MRI, and two negative biopsies convinced the doctors that I did not have cancer, although I had a suspicious mass and felt terrible all the time.

When I was diagnosed with cancer during surgery in 2005, I felt great sorrow that I might not have time to accomplish all I had wanted to do with my life. As I underwent treatment, my family, friends, and church family were truly angels bringing meals in daily when I was so sick from chemo and taking me to Cody for twenty-eight radiation treatments, They and my faith helped give me the will to live.
Now I have music back in my life, am able to teach, and to do my beloved handwork. We are given only so much time on this earth and it is up to us to use our God-given talents for His glory."
Linda Murray
Cancer 2005