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Matt turned 40 with big plans. A healthier lifestyle. More time with family. But when unexpected symptoms led to a rare cancer diagnosis, everything changed. Leading up to his 40th birthday, he decided to get healthier “to be there for his wife, son, and parents.” Matt started eating better and exercising in late Spring 2019. Despite these changes, Matt began experiencing some intense stomach pains and vomiting; he didn’t think much of it as he thought he had a nasty stomach

By Sarah Seitz Baltimore, Maryland In January 2023, I believed I was finally getting my life back. For years, my body had been in open rebellion against me. I lived with extreme abdominal pain, stabbing cramps that dropped me to the floor, fainting spells, overwhelming fatigue, and an inability to eat. I lost forty pounds in just a few months without trying. My periods were excruciating. I missed work, missed time with my family, and made more emergency room visits than I can

By Antonia Dyroff Zurich, Switzerland The Challenge of Diagnosis and Isolation For many, a diagnosis of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) is a life-altering event that changes one's world overnight. Upon discovering a large appendix tumor within the abdomen—a circumstance that seemed unimaginable—I underwent two major surgeries to remove the tumor and to manage the disease. Each operation presented a fierce physical and emotional battle, followed by a recovery process that was bot

By Joseph Vaakaa Nigeria During her life time, my mother, the late Mbakuran Vaakaa, had no major health challenges, apart from amoebic dysentery and a peptic ulcer, until sometime in August 2018 when she started complaining of pains in her lower abdomen. At the General Hospital Adikpo Benue State in Nigeria, the healthcare professional said her problem was likely hemorrhoids , after a period of treatment, the problem persisted and she was referred to another hospital (Federal

By Sonya Walker October 2025 (Col. Ret.) Dr. Lawrence Henry's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, self- advocacy, and...

By Kristin Logan Texas October 2025 In 2023, I finally thought I had my life figured out. My only child was off to university in the...

In a HuffPost article  about stage 4 ovarian cancer and 5-year survival, readers are introduced to Susan , a woman diagnosed with stage 4 disease whose journey challenges common expectations. The article uses Susan’s experience as a powerful example of hope and resilience, showing that while statistics are important, they don’t tell every person’s story. Susan and her husband on their wedding day in 2017. What Susan’s Journey Teaches Us A strong reminder that survival curves

By Tamron Little September 2025 I’ll never forget the day my entire world shifted. I was just 21 years old, only five months into...

By Linda McLaughlin New Jersey September 2025 A cancer diagnosis hits you like a ton of bricks. It’s one of those things that happens to...

By Christine Strovink New York May 2024 From video transcript: It started with an emergency. I had to have emergency surgery.  They...

By Alli Bannister Perth, Australia August 2025 Hi my name is Alli - I am originally from the UK, and we now live in Perth, Australia. We...

By Rick Sell Allentown, PA August 10, 2024 In early November 2023 I underwent what was supposed to be a routine laparoscopic surgery at...

By Mat Edelson Washington, D.C. August 19, 2025 Hi, I'm Mat. My cancer story is really the story of three people. My mom Claire, my wife...

By Sam Plantz West Virginia July 2025 To be the best for those you love, you must do the best for yourself. Almost seven years ago, my...

By Bo Plantz Maryland February 2025 Every day I talk to lots of folks about cancer - about my own experience, about the challenges the...

by Deborah Shelton Executive Director, ACPMP June 2025 “Appendix cancer? Pseudomyxoma peritonei? Never heard of that. What the heck is...

By Kelly McCarley Maryland March 2025 My name is Kelly McCarley and I am a three-time cancer survivor. I have had ovarian, peritoneal,...

by Sonya Walker Virginia February 2025 I Was Broken, But the Lord Made Me Beautiful God always has a plan that’s greater than we can...

by Lorne Johnson Belmont Lake, Ontario, Canada February 2025 Hi, my name is Lorne Johnson , I am 61 years old. I have owned and operated...

by Nicole Ziccardi New York January 2025 My baby boy saved my life during his entrance into this world. Here's our story. Sebastian and...