Every cancer journey is unique, but each experience changes the lives of patients and families in profound ways. To mark Cancer Survivors Month, former and current Ohio State patients are sharing stories, insights and inspiration to improve understanding of the possible impacts of cancer, as well as the many meanings of survivorship. “What gave me hope during my cancer experience was all the people in my corner — and I had a big corner full of people. My main caregiver was my ex-wife, Allie. She herself was a cancer survivor, and she was amazing. In particular, she helped rally everyone around me. She called friends from college, elementary school and both sides of our family, and even planned a trip to Disney World for us. It was really amazing what she did, and I'm so grateful for her.” — Emmanuel “Manny” Schwimmer, lymphoma survivor “While enduring chemotherapy, radiation and multiple surgeries, I found hope in a number of areas of my life. My faith kept me grounded, giving me peace in the unknown. My friends and family lifted me up while I was down. My physicians shared the plan of care with me and saw me not just as a patient, but as a person, encouraging me and giving me hope all along the way. While you have breath, you have hope.” —Liz Miesen, brain cancer, breast cancer survivor “My family and friends have been a great support, and the team at The James is absolutely amazing — my family away from home. JamesCare for Life helped keep me going as well, especially with their mindfulness class, which helped me experience things at a much deeper level. I keep my hope going by moving forward and knowing that I'm here because I have things to do, places to be and people to meet.” — Ghadeer Zalatimo, multiple myeloma survivor “My family number one in terms of support, inspiration, and hope in dealing with all of this, but The Ohio State University is also there with the resources and care that they're providing for all cancer victims. They have my back. That's the statement [my family and care team] make — ‘Hey, Sam, we've got your back in this ordeal.’” —Sam Hopkins, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer survivor “A thing that really gave me hope was the perspective that changed when I started going through my cancer journey. I realized that I didn't want to take one day for granted, and I wanted to just celebrate the little things and look for the good. I also made a list of all the things that I wanted to do once I was feeling better. And now, when I'm able to do them, it feels amazing — it’s such a gift.” — Rileigh Hageman, breast cancer survivor “Thanks to The James, I've survived a rare and as yet incurable cancer for a decade already. While my wife Julie and I were on a walk together, we came across the Garden of Hope by accident. They were holding an open house and as we both are both cancer survivors, we decided to participate. That summer and fall, our lives were filled with a weekly harvest of goodness, and I'm currently volunteering to get this year's garden ready. I understand how beautiful life is.” — Richard Harned, cancer survivor “I walked into The James five years ago, and heard an oncologist tell me I have cancer. I wonder, would this change me? Would it change my family? What would we do from here? My community became everything — whether they were supplying meals, whether they were supplying my family meals, or giving me a blanket or just a whiteboard to be able to communicate was everything. I'm happy to say that my community helped support me through this journey, and the fact that I've come out on the right side means I'm a survivor.” —Rich Jochems, head and neck cancer survivor “When kidney cancer came calling 14 years ago, I was terrified, but my wife, my daughter, and the good doctors The James all gave me hope. Cancer has changed who I am today — I live with the experience and learn from it. [Rainer Maria] Rilke wrote, “Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave.” Perhaps all of our difficulties are the voices of something within us, waiting for us to act with courage and with love.” —Art Krumsee, kidney cancer survivor Click here to learn how JamesCare for Life provides survivorship services to patients and their families throughout every stage of each cancer journey.