Patient Stories

View inspiring cancer survivor stories from Mass General Cancer Center’s community of patients, families, and staff.
    Lindsay Strauss
    Lindsay Strauss

    Patient stories from our cancer community

    Discover stories shared by the patients, families, clinicians, and staff in our Mass General Cancer Center community. By sharing their experiences, our wish is to provide hope to others navigating a cancer diagnosis. Read our newest patient stories below.

    Read Rohan's story

    Rohan Venkatesh

    A rapid test developed at Mass General Brigham helped doctors diagnose Rohan’s brain tumor and give him life-saving treatment in a timely manner.

    Read Chris' patient story

    Chris Kobos

    Diagnosed with a rare chordoma at age 19, Chris Kobos is now healthy and raising a family, thanks to treatment with proton radiation therapy at Mass General Cancer Center.

    Read Gretchen's story

    Gretchen Borzi

    The discovery of a CDH1 gene mutation in the family led Gretchen Borzi on a journey of genetic testing and preventative surgery with a multidisciplinary team at Mass General Cancer Center.

    Read more

    Ann Malik

    Targeted therapy and world-class care at Mass General Cancer Center has given Ann Malik a new lease on life and a passion for inspiring others. Learn about her journey with ROS1-positive lung cancer.

    Read Katie Britton's story

    Katie Britton

    Faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, Katie Britton turned to resources at the Mass General Cancer Center to help keep her mind and body well during treatment.

    Read Rick & Sally Mastalerz's story

    Rick & Sally Mastalerz

    A colon cancer diagnosis was no match for airline pilot and member of the Air National Guard, Rick Mastalerz. Read about Rick and his wife Sally’s cancer experience at the Mass General Cancer Center.

    View More Patient Stories

    It's such a gift for me that I can be here and share my story so somebody out there knows that they can survive and they can thrive.

    Ann Malik

    Read Ann's story

    Thank you to all of our patients, families and staff who have shared their stories with us. Our hope is that these stories provide insight into a person’s cancer experience, while also offering inspiration and support to others.

    Browse all stories:

    Adrenal cancer: Erin Morrissey

    Bile duct cancer: Geri Keegan

    Bone cancer: Trudi Fondren | Anthony & Nina Schifone

    Bone marrow transplant: Robbie Hutchison & John Hartley | Laura Melancon

    Breast cancer: Dianne Austin | William & Kathy Blake | Katie BrittonAnne Bunn | Lauren Corduck & Bob Cooperstein | Melissa DupuisRobbie Hutchison & John Hartley | Allison John | Stefanie London & Jonathan Reich | Michelle Wong

    Chordoma: Chris Kobos

    Colorectal cancer: Lauren Hindman | Rick & Sally Mastalerz | Alexa Morell

    Early cancer detection: Gretchen Borzi

    Esophageal cancer: Bob O'Mara

    Lung cancer: Kelley Jones | Ann Malik | Linnea Olson | Allison & Rich Orpen | Jay PetriJerry Remy | Anthony & Nina Schifone

    Lymphoma: Eve BarkinLaura Melancon

    Melanoma: Linda & John Grosslein | Elana Schwam

    Multiple myeloma: Robbie Hutchison & John Hartley | Bill McKay | Robert McLean | Jean Moore

    Neuro-oncology: George Conti | Maryann Fitzgerald & Dr. Justin Jordan | Anthony & Nina Schifone | Nikki Schindler & family | Lindsay Strauss | Kent Taylor | Rohan Venkatesh | Jordan Weil

    Ovarian cancer: Lauren Corduck & Bob CoopersteinDiana Masood & family | Iris Martinez | Kimberly Zukerberg

    Prostate cancer: William & Kathy Blake | Walter Richard Ristow

    Proton therapy: View proton therapy patient stories

    Psychiatric oncology: Amy Corvelyn, MSW  | Stefanie London & Jonathan Reich

    Staff: Natasha Barthe | Amy Corvelyn, MSW | Trudi Fondren | Maggie Joyce, RNDennis Lynch | Nicole Laurino, RNLaura Melancon | Kerri Molloy | Mac Moore | Cat Neville | Esther O'Dette, RNBob O'Mara

    More stories: Karen Coveney | Kathryn Goettsch | William Santoro

     

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