Marilyn Jaye Saum was 25, and her younger brother Andrew Adams was 14, when their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Less than a decade later, in 2010, their mother passed away. “She fought so hard, so courageously, with a beautiful spirit and smiled every step of the way,” Marilyn says. Eight years after the loss of her mother, Marilyn was also diagnosed with breast cancer. She was shocked, but Andrew immediately leapt into “caregiver extraordinaire mode,” according to his older sister. In recognition of his compassion, love and commitment, Andrew is one of the four recipients of the 2020 Stefanie’s Champions Award that recognizes and honors caregivers, the often unsung heroes of cancer journeys. “Seeing the effect it had on my mom, and not being able to do that much myself when my sister was diagnosed, I said, ‘Now I’m in a place and at an age where I can step up and help out,'” Andrew says. “Because of our bond, she knew I’d be there for her.” Andrew — a professional actor with the Know Theatre in Cincinnati — went with his sister to every clinic appointment and treatment session, and was there during her surgery to remove the cancer and a subsequent reconstructive procedure. On a regular basis, he drove from his Cincinnati home to pick up Marilyn in Dayton and then on to Columbus and the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center for appointments and treatments. He also set up a room for his sister at his home, complete with sunflowers and color-coded notes that made it easy for Marilyn to know which meds to take and when to take them. “He changed my bandages, my drainage bags, fed me and made sure I was hydrated,” Marilyn says. “He even helped me to the bathroom and in the shower.” On the day before Marilyn’s surgery, Andrew drove her to Columbus, where he checked into a nearby hotel and went on a reconnaissance mission. “We went to The James and did almost a trial run — where to park, where we go in and where to take her,” Andrew says. “It was so all the emotions and the early fog wouldn’t get in the way the next morning.” There was never a doubt that Andrew would be there for Marilyn. “My sister and I have always had a close relationship,” he says. Recently, Marilyn sent her brother a card, which read, “From the beginning, you were there doing whatever it took to keep me and the boys in a state of calm. With our mantra being, ‘We’ve got this,’ we were truly all in this together. I cannot thank you enough for putting your life on hold in order to help me get mine back on track. You have made me beyond proud, and you have made our mum in heaven beyond proud.”