Cancer survivors are very special people with very special challenges. Their common bond is knowing what it is like to hear three life-changing words, “You have cancer”. They are the only ones who know how to live each day with the unique burden that a cancer diagnosis brings.

 

Cancer patients will take part in cancer survivorship celebrations all over the country during the month of June. It is a time for cancer patients to learn, network, advocate, celebrate (yes, celebrate) and to share in their common bonds and burdens.    

 

As a part of the NavigateCancer Foundation celebration, we will introduce you to three of our uncommon heroes who will inspire you and maybe even challenge you. 

 

In the first of a three-part series, meet a woman who lives with Stage IV breast cancer and who’s steadfast courage and determination doesn’t let her stop going and going and going.

 

Donna McDaniel was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring of 2002 and three years later, she received the news that the cancer had spread to her liver and then eventually to her bones.

 

Donna’s advice to those living with cancer, “Don’t stop. Keep doing what you are doing”.   Despite days when her bone pain reminds her that she has cancer, she hasn’t stopped yet. Donna has completed 2 full marathons and over 10 half marathons, raising countless dollars for cancer research and she’s not done yet! She's a coach for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training and she's an active member of a breast cancer survivors group called "Bosom Buddies".

 

Donna is currently enrolled in a clinical trial and is grateful for all of the options available to her through clinical research. She says she will keep running and raising money because as she states, “Fundraising makes it (cancer research) happen”.

 

“There isn’t a day that goes by when you don’t think about it”. People don’t understand the constant burden and how you live with it every day”, she says, but despite this, she remains positive. Donna is quick to state, “I find inspiration in others” and credits her faith, family and friends most for helping her to stay positive. Donna’s family and friends will tell you that Donna is the one who inspires them to be better and to do more.

 

After seeing a movie preview, Donna made a “bucket list” of those things that she wanted to do during her lifetime. One of those things was to meet Robin Roberts, anchor of Good Morning America. As you will see in this story, cancer survivors share a common bond and Donna did just as much inspiring as Robin Roberts did! http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6107556

 

What’s next for Donna? She’s entered in the City of Oaks half marathon in Raleigh, NC in November, 2009. In the meantime, she is getting ready for the birth of her 5^th grandchild and will continue to meet every challenge with continued courage and determination.

 

In Part II of our blog series: Survivors Live It - With Grace and Gratitude you will meet Chrissy Fowler, a 40 year old woman who has already battled cancer in three different ways.