Emma Reese was two weeks from her 28th birthday when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2016. She had just been married the year prior and her daughter was six months old. At first, she was numb to the news, but she pushed through and went into “go mode” because she had treatment to start and a baby to …

Lana Boes, a.k.a Donut, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2007 and beat it. After six years of being cancer-free, however, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. As chemotherapy treatment eventually stopped being effective, Lana began to lose hope–until she qualified for a clinical trial and miraculously went into complete remission.  Despite having no evidence of disease, Lana didn’t feel …

When Mike Scherer was 26, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After beating cancer, Mike and his wife, Megan, hoped to start their family. They went through infertility treatments during what became a difficult, isolating, and emotional journey. After two and a half years, they were happy to learn they’d be having a son! The Scherers’ experience led them to found Worth the Wait, a nonprofit that assists cancer survivors facing fertility challenges …

Ronald Bye, a.k.a. Big Hoss, was 20 years old when he discovered that what he thought was a hernia was actually testicular cancer. Being that it was the 1970s, diseases with a “sexual” connotation weren’t openly discussed, particularly by a young male. As a result, Ron didn’t tell anyone other than his family and boss about his cancer. He kept …

Nicole Gleason and Jared Scorsone are both part of the training team at BFitBWell, a cancer exercise program offered by the University of Colorado Cancer Center. They detail how the program works and how it improves strength, stamina, and quality of life for cancer patients during and shortly after treatment. In addition, they describe the mental and emotional benefits that …

When Dr. Amy Rothenberg, a breast and #ovariancancer survivor, finished #chemotherapy in 2015, she pledged to do a sprint triathlon with her entire family just six months later. To this day, she still completes at least one each year. She focuses on regular exercise, eating an anti-inflammatory diet, working on her “head game,” and being outdoors, enjoying nature as much as possible. …

Asa Newell was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2020 when he was 17 years old. In response, he thought, “I can either curl up in a corner or I can be the most positive person I can be.” He chose the latter. Asa details the challenges of being in high school as a young adult cancer survivor, primarily how others …

Nancy Ferro, a.k.a. Mama Lou, founded Epic Experience after her son Michael was diagnosed with testicular cancer. She joins the Campfires of Hope podcast to share her experience as a caregiver and mother of a adult child with cancer. Mama Lou details how she coped and provided support despite being told by Michael, “I have cancer and we’re not going …

Missy Burgess was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic. As a result, she spent many months physically isolated from others and had to get creative about finding support in her medical team, online cancer survivorship meetups like Epic Experience’s Campfire Chats, and Facetiming with her friends. Missy details how she was able to …

Just as Edie “Blaze” Harrison was feeling as fit and healthy as ever, she tested positive on her Cologuard at-home colorectal cancer screening. In March of 2021, she was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Blaze went through chemo, radiation, and surgery before she was declared NED in January 2022.  Despite a clean bill of health and a positive outlook on life, …