Samantha Gonzales-Russell
“I want people to see the power they have within themselves to face life’s challenges and to advocate for themselves and their health. I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t done both for myself.”
At just 35, Samantha Gonzales-Russell is a three-time cervical cancer survivor. “For my first two diagnoses, I went on for months being dismissed, and then finally someone confirmed my worst fears.” Upon her diagnosis, her first thoughts were of “so much uncertainty ahead and so much pain. The future I envisioned at that time was being ripped away from me.”
Despite all the uncertainty, Samantha’s husband, Jake, made her feel loved and supported: “I’m very grateful to him for giving that to me. That made me brave enough to push forward, no matter what came our way. Jake reminded me of what I had to fight for. Yes, I was fighting for myself and my life but also for the people that love and need me here.”
Her road to recovery has been a hard one. Samantha’s early treatment started with a hysterectomy, and continued with years of other therapies. It all culminated in a final surgery that left her living with two ostomies. She reflects on her journey: “I got through my toughest days by not being tough…I navigated each challenge one tiny step at a time. Looking at the big picture of cancer is overwhelming and can feel absolutely crushing. So, I would break it down however I needed to. ” She continues, “I’ve learned to see value in all the ups and downs. I’ve grown so much personally and know what I’m capable of. I would never say I’m glad it happened, but I’m grateful for who I’ve become along the way.”
She has channeled her survivorship into rewarding advocacy work and finds joy in food, travel, and quality time with her husband and their beloved pets. “I now share my unique story to raise awareness and support others facing difficult struggles. It’s okay to not be where you want to be, it’s okay to struggle.”
Samantha’s advice to others facing a diagnosis is to remember to allow yourself the grace to have both good days and bad. “Giving myself that love has provided me a great deal of peace and acceptance when it comes to the things I can’t control,” she says. “I also want my story to raise awareness about the importance of cancer research. Research opens the door to solutions and allows us to make progress in this ongoing fight.”
Our Mission
Stand Up To Cancer raises awareness and funds research to detect and treat cancers with the aspiration to cure all patients. Find out how you can get involved.
