“I’m taking things I learned facing cancer to help support others who are struggling right now.” – Katherine Stuart, currently in treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer.

1. Has COVID-19 impacted your treatment plan?
Thankfully my immune system is in really good shape as I continue to go in for treatment. My infusion center is small, and they are working on implementing all the precautionary guidelines to keep us all as safe as possible. I’ve also moved my appointments with my oncologist to teleconference for now.

2. How has facing cancer helped you deal with everything happening in the world right now?
It’s definitely made me more resilient. For me, it really comes down to focusing on what I can control and staying informed about what’s going on from reliable sources. I have rituals in place to give me a sense of routine, and I try to find a little bit of joy in every day.

3. How are you staying connected to others while staying home?
I’ve been cooking a lot and dropping off food for others in need. I’ve also had some wonderful phone conversations with friends I haven’t spoken to in years, along with daily phone check-ins with my close friends. I’ve also been able to take what I’ve learned facing cancer and help people in my circle deal with their own fear and anxiety as we all struggle with what’s going on right now.

4. What gives you hope?
It’s scary to think that my health could be impacted by the actions of a stranger, so I’m encouraged when I see people following guidelines and social distancing. I’m also filled with hope and gratitude for the healthcare workers. They are going to war for all of us right now and their courage is unbelievable.

“The challenge for me as a cancer patient, is that my husband is a frontline health care worker.” – Michelle Mallin, currently in treatment for a rare metastatic sarcoma.

1. What are you doing to protect yourself right now?

I’ve been on lockdown, closely following the guidelines for people at high-risk for COVID-19; which include only going out for necessary doctor’s appointments and limiting public interaction.

2. What’s the hardest part of being married to someone on the front lines of COVID-19?

The stress of having to be hypervigilant about taking precautionary measures because I’m immunocompromised. I miss things about my husband people often take for granted, we haven’t shared a hug or kiss in over a month.

3. What is your advice to others facing cancer right now?

Focus on your immediate health needs, find support where you can, and follow recommendations for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy.

4. Why is it important for everyone to follow social distancing guidelines right now?

Surreal is the only word I can come up with to describe what’s going on right now, but social distancing can ultimately help save lives.

“After all the time I’ve spent facing cancer, I feel like I’m an expert at social distancing. I understand why it’s so important.” – Vanessa Delle Monache, a two-time cancer survivor from Ontario.

1. How has facing cancer given you a unique perspective on the coronavirus pandemic?

Having been through treatment twice now, I’m fairly used to social distancing. I had to be careful not to get sick in between treatments and I also didn’t feel well most of the time, so I stayed home and practiced social distancing a lot. It forced me to learn how to be happy at home and find ways to focus on the positives.

2. Are you concerned about your COVID-19 risk?

When it comes to my health, I’m not taking any chances. It’s not worth it. My body has been through a lot and is still continuing to heal. I know that my immune system is compromised so I’m staying home and following protective guidelines.

3. How are you taking care of yourself at home?

I’m focusing on what I have instead of what I don’t. Which means, I’m exercising, spending time with my husband, staying connected to family and friends virtually, and continuing to share my story on my blog.

4. Who do you Stand Up for?

I Stand Up for anyone who is facing cancer right now and everyone that’s felt the impacts of this disease. I can’t imagine having to go through treatment alone or having a treatment plan delayed because of COVID-19. I hope that we can all Stand Up To Cancer right now by staying in the comfort of our own homes. I know that if we do that now, we can all be together again soon.

Dave Latham, an employee at Stand Up To Cancer who is currently in treatment for metastatic cancer, says he has a lot to be thankful for, even amid the current COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Are you concerned about your COVID-19 risk?

Fortunately, my white blood cell count is within the normal range so I don’t have the complications associated with being immunosuppressed so many of my fellow patients have right now. That being said, I’m not sure how my body would respond to the virus after all I’ve been through.

2. Has your treatment plan changed at all?

It hasn’t changed yet, but it may as things continue to progress. It’s a team effort between the patient and their health care team to prioritize treatment that needs to happen now and weighing the COVID-19 risk. I’m working with my health care team to minimize my trips to the medical plaza where my treatment and scans are done.

3. How are you doing at home?

I’m focusing on the things I can control — like taking this opportunity to get proper rest, eating healthy, and getting exercise on my indoor bike. My goal is to log 100 miles a week. I’m fortunate during this pandemic to keep working from home and thankful for the ability to video chat with friends and family to stay connected.

4. What gives you hope?

There are no words to describe the gratitude I have for all the health care providers who are working long hours to save lives right now. Heroic is a vast understatement to describe what they have done for me and continue to do for others. People staying home, staying positive and reducing the risk of COVID-19 for others give me hope. We will get through this together.

Dear Members of the SU2C Community:

This morning we are proud to announce an initiative that will both help scientists understand the emerging coronavirus pandemic and ensure the needs of cancer patients and survivors are being included as the research goes forward.

A SU2C-supported researcher, also a Lead Investigator on the famed Harvard-led Nurses’ Health Studies which includes over 280,000 participants, helped develop a mobile-phone app to allow people to report any symptoms they may have that could be the result of a COVID-19 infection. The app, called COVID Symptom Study, formerly known as COVID Symptom Tracker, was originally created in the UK and is available now in the US for download on Apple (iOS) and Android cellphones. With just a few questions, to be filled in daily, scientists will have the ability to track the development (or not) of symptoms from millions of people.

At SU2C’s advice, scientists added questions related to a cancer diagnosis and treatments, such as if they are living with cancer, what type of cancer, what treatment they are receiving, if they are in a clinical trial and where they are receiving treatment. The medical community knows that individuals with cancer and those receiving anti-cancer therapies are at increased risk for increased risk for having a more severe course of the illness, although more research is being done to better understand the connection.

This invaluable data will be analyzed at Mass General Cancer Center in collaboration with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Kings College in the UK, and Stanford University School of Medicine, and will be used to both better understand how different individuals experience COVID-19 and to rapidly identify emerging clusters of COVID-19 infections.

Each year, over 1.7 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, and over 16.9 million Americans are cancer survivors. By participating in the COVID Symptom Study, our community will be helping scientists answer urgent questions that can be matters of life and death for many of us and our loved ones. We encourage patients and their families and loved ones to download the app and participate in this remarkable research.

Sincerely,

Sung Poblete, PhD, RN
CEO, Stand Up To Cancer

Download for iOS here.
Download for Android here.

Cancer survivors, patients and the general public can help arm the research community with data that will allow them to study COVID-19, to identify symptoms and weaknesses, and to pinpoint where critical resources are needed.

The COVID Symptom Study is not just for those that are sick or suspect they have COVID-19. Regardless of health condition, you can use the app to track your health, or report on behalf of a loved one.

Stand Up with us by sharing how you are feeling daily via the COVID Symptom Study app, specifically designed with cancer patients and survivors in mind. To learn more about the app, go to our FAQ page.

The coronavirus pandemic is disrupting our home and work lives, especially for the many members of the Stand Up To Cancer community who may be dealing with a current or ongoing cancer diagnosis for yourself or a loved one. And while the situation is changing rapidly, we thought it might be helpful to share a few resources from the medical centers participating in SU2C-sponsored clinical trials.

Most importantly, please know that cancer centers and their doctors, nurses, social workers, and other providers are working hard to figure out what this might mean for each patient, and how to get them the best possible treatments in the current emergency. As the pandemic takes effect in different parts of the country, things will change differently and at different rates, so there’s no one answer that works for everyone. Some treatments may be delayed as hospitals prepare for large increases in patients who are seriously ill or need to be on ventilators, but there are not yet specific guidelines for these situations. If you’re a patient, we recommend you check in with your doctor’s office if you have questions.

If you are on an anti-cancer therapy now, it’s important to be extra vigilant about staying away from people and groups. Patients, especially on chemotherapies, may be more susceptible to infection as their immune systems are compromised while the therapy temporarily impacts your white blood cells. This is also true for people receiving bone marrow or stem cell therapies.

And everyone should be following the guidelines for handwashing and social distancing, both for their own health and to protect people with cancer from an inadvertent infection.

If you are recently diagnosed with a cancer or starting an anti-cancer therapy, you will need to check with your healthcare providers often, as recommended by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of switching from IV to oral therapies, adjusting chemotherapy based on your goals for the care, or temporarily moving to another clinic to get your therapies. If you can lessen your time at clinics and hospitals that will be helpful, to you and to the facility. And if you do go ahead with treatments or surgery please let your loved ones and caregivers know they may not be able to visit you or bring assistance as often as in the past. You and they will need to plan for curtailed visits while you are in the facility to help protect you and the other patients.

There is a lot we don’t know yet about the coronavirus and how this will play out for people affected by cancer, but doctors, nurses, and other health care providers are working hard to answer questions as they come up. And at Stand Up To Cancer, we’ll continue to seek new treatments and therapies and provide information to everyone affected by cancer.

Sung Poblete, PhD, RN
Chief Executive Officer
Stand Up To Cancer

SU2C is proud to announce this initiative that will help scientists understand the emerging coronavirus pandemic and ensure the needs of cancer patients and survivors are being included as the research goes forward. Learn more here.

“Attitude and luck really define my survivor story.”

That’s how Doug Rozen characterizes his cancer journey, which began three years ago with what he sees as a lucky break.

An avid cyclist, Rozen started experiencing some discomfort, which he blamed on too many hours sitting on the saddle of his bicycle. While a subsequent medical exam seemed to indicate nothing was wrong, his doctor suggested that Rozen – who was only 42 at the time – have a colonoscopy. That fateful advice helped to save his life.

While his luck came from having a doctor who sidestepped the norms and took a proactive approach, Rozen believes a life-long positive attitude — he was called the “Sunshine Kid” as a child — helped him through when he learned the terrible news that he had colon cancer.

“I was very fortunate because within a few days, I was able to get an appointment scheduled at Sloane, and we quickly understood this was curable,” said Rozen. “I wasn’t going to die, or at least I shouldn’t die. Then it became all about attitude, but I also knew I’d be going through some horrible times.”

As he expected, Rozen’s positive attitude was thoroughly tested throughout his 20 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

“There were days when I did not feel positive,” he admits, “and there were days I didn’t say a word to anyone. But those were situational moments, based on chemicals flowing through me. I knew it was all for a greater good.”

Throughout his treatments, Rozen insisted on maintaining normalcy in life. He didn’t miss a day of work and continued biking, even participating in a 65K ride which raised $10,000 for cancer research. He also made sure his wife and two children were part of the treatment process, bringing his son and daughter to his chemo treatments.

But Rozen had another big step on his road to recovery. Though he was clinically cured, there was no proof the cancer was completely gone, so he opted for surgery to have 1/3 of his colon removed — another proactive decision that helped save his life. More cancer was found in the nearby lymph-nodes, which were removed as part of the operation.

“Having the surgery was a no brainer,” said Rozen. “I’m young and I’m making sure I’m around for my wife, kids and myself.”

Today, Rozen says he has a new appreciation for living. He continues biking around his home in Connecticut, travels extensively for work and feels transformed by his cancer journey.

“I’ve become more empathetic, and I take more time now for life,” said Rozen. “I’m not in the first in, last out mindset everytime. Sometimes, I might be the second in to take more time for myself.” While his most recent scans continue to show he’s cancer-free, Rozen is dedicated to help raise cancer prevention awareness, especially among people in their 20s and 30s.

“We need to start spreading the word for younger people, the influencers, the people who don’t watch TV,” said Rozen, who worked on the 2018 Stand Up To Cancer Digital Live Show. “I am really excited to see Stand Up getting involved in this way, to find new avenues to talk to younger generations impacted by cancer.”

Rozen reflected on his cancer diagnosis on his 45^th birthday, March 1, for The Mighty. Read his story here.

MONICA GAUTAM: A LEGACY OF GIVING

Before her life was tragically cut short by cancer, Monica Gautam was a highly successful woman. She earned an Economics Honors Degree in her native India, had a burgeoning career in the tech industry in the U.S., and was greatly respected and admired by her peers. But Monica’s greatest life success was in her generous spirit.

“When we were on family vacations, Monica always wanted to go to poorest areas, to see if there was suffering and find ways that she could help,” says Monica’s older sister, Veena. “Most of her thoughts were with charities, especially for girls. She just wanted to make things better for people.”

When Gautam passed away last year at age 61 after a six-year journey with breast cancer, her generous spirit came to the forefront again; she left a large planned gift to Stand Up To Cancer in her will.

“Monica knew firsthand the sorrow that families have to endure caused by this devastating illness and wanted to do more to help and support other cancer patients,” said Veena. “Our mother had [breast cancer] before her, so that’s why she wanted to donate to help find a cure.”

Throughout her life, Monica was determined to succeed at anything she took on, and challenged herself every single day. “She was a career person,” said Veena. “She got her energy from work, had a strong work ethic, and wasn’t afraid of anything or anyone.”

Monica’s indomitable spirit and incredible courage serve as an inspiration for both patients and caregivers as they navigate their own cancer journey.

“You have to feel empowered,’ says Veena, who was Monica’s primary caregiver throughout her illness, “and people have to know that they must speak up, and advocate for themselves. My sister taught me that, don’t be afraid.”

In 2011, Don Konantz — an athletic, active 48-year-old, who loved participating in Ironman competitions — was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent surgery, followed by drug protocols, hormone treatments, combination therapies and radiation. After completing treatment, Don was strong enough to dive back into his Ironman training sessions. But in late 2014, the cancer showed up again, and Don says he’s considered himself a cancer “swimmer” ever since.

“I don’t refer to myself as a survivor, because I’m absolutely still in the heat of it,” says Don, who is currently on three medications to combat and slow his cancer while under the care of Stand Up To Cancer-Prostate Cancer Foundation Dream Team member, Martin Gleave, MD, at the Vancouver Prostate Center in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“I feel like someone’s thrown me a life raft, and I’m trying to get back on the boat,” he says. “I’m not on it yet, I’m still swimming through an uncertain and unwanted diagnosis, so for that reason I call myself a cancer swimmer.”

But Don is quick to point out that while his diagnosis comes with tremendous physical and emotional challenges, it’s also triggered profound and positive changes in himself and his life.

“I liken it to watching black-and-white TV,” he says, “and since 2011, I’ve been watching high-def color TV. I would never want to go back to standard black-and-white. Life has completely transformed on this side of cancer. I’m at the center of an effort now to slow down this disease, restrict it and ultimately, to cure it.”

Because of his cancer journey, Don says he has also become passionate about practicing gratitude in his daily life, which he discovered in an unexpected way. After his diagnosis, he decided to change everything in his life (“I even changed my pillows,” he says) including taking the bus to work, which led to an epiphany.

“I noticed that everyone was on their phones, and I decided to utilize my time differently.” Don began writing gratitude notes to people who have helped him along the way.

“I had a long list, and the more people I thanked, the more I realized I needed to thank,” says Don. “People would write me back, so happy and engaged, and I felt so good that I had a skip in my step when I got off the bus. I realized what a power engine gratitude is for happiness and well-being.”

“It’s impossible to be grumpy and grateful at the same time,” he adds. “What lies ahead of us or behind us is nothing compared to what lies within us.”

Running his own business is another source of gratitude for Don, who’s the CEO and owner of Hops Connect, which sells hops to breweries all across Canada. Hops Connect allows him to work with his family, who help him run the business.

“We’re just having so much fun,” says Don, who was excited to discover he’s been recently named a finalist for an Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Western Region of Canada. “Cancer is such a storm in a person’s life, so it’s important to have things which are steady and provide income and the fact that my family will be cared for is really, really important to me. It gives me enormous peace of mind.”

The more he’s able to give to others, the better he feels about himself, and his future.

“I think there’s a big pay it forward, and the more I give to people, the more awareness and funds I can bring to doctors who have compelling, underfunded research projects,” he says. “We will solve it. My thing is why not now? This is what I’m super motivated by these days.”

Don has continued to maintain a very active physical lifestyle. Though he’s traded in his Ironman workouts for yoga, long walks and swimming, he recently completed a 160-mile bike ride that helped raise $9 million for a cancer charity in British Columbia.

“I’m living powerfully with cancer,” he exclaims. “I’m a passionate advocate and patient for Stand Up To Cancer, and for the cause of cancer research.”

On June 25, Hallmark Channel star and executive producer Alison Sweeney announced on social media she had been diagnosed with skin cancer. Luckily, she caught it early, and a bump on her nose was removed. Since then, she’s been encouraging others to be more vigilant about getting themselves checked out. We recently caught up with the Days of Our Lives and Chronicle Mysteries star, who shared more about her personal experiences with cancer.

1. We often say that everyone’s life is, in one way or another, touched by cancer. How has it touched yours?

My mother lost her mom to cancer when she was young and that has always been a big part of our family’s story and tough for my mom. As a result, I grew up very aware of how terrible cancer can be and how important it is to do everything we can to protect ourselves.

2. What do you wish you had known about skin cancer when you were younger? Is there any advice you would give your younger self?

My mom’s mom died of Lymphoma so my mom was always teaching my brothers and me to avoid smoking and the sun. She educated herself on every kind of cancer and really tried to protect us. But, as a kid it’s hard to listen – you don’t always want to lather up, or stop having fun to dry off and reapply sunscreen. I’m trying to be better about that as an adult, and for protecting my own kids.

3. Your involvement with SU2C has been a huge benefit to our work, and ultimately to patients. What motivates you to lend your voice to our cause?

It’s so important to me that we stand up to cancer – for my mom and for my friends who have lost their moms to the disease. We cannot keep letting cancer take so many loved ones too early and I really feel passionately about helping in any way I can to raise awareness, to encourage people to take care of themselves, and to also understand what a great organization SU2C is — a fantastic place to donate if you’re able.

4. If we asked you to recruit a friend in the entertainment industry to become an SU2C ambassador, what would be your pitch?

First of all, SU2C is an organization that you can be proud to lend your name to. When you’re asking your fans to support you and to donate, you have to know the money is being used well and SU2C is so transparent and forthright, with results available for everyone to see. What they’re doing is WORKING.

5. Who do you Stand Up for?

My kids and their kids, so that they don’t have to lose someone they love to cancer.