Community Stories
Stories from the Journey
Reflections and encouragement from cancer patients, survivors, and care partners — walking the road together.
4 posts
Dave Kirkpatrick — Care Partner
A retired surgeon and father, Dave Kirkpatrick walked alongside his daughter Meghan through fourteen years of synovial sarcoma — three recurrences, countless treatments, and a love that never stopped looking for the next answer. He shares what Meghan taught him about living one day at a time.
Carly Skillman — Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma Survivor
At 36, Carly Skillman was diagnosed with Stage 2-A Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma — one of the rarest cancers on record. Through chemo, proton beam therapy, and a whole lot of sarcasm, she came out the other side still standing, still laughing, and still very much herself.
Bob Hughes — Multiple Myeloma Thriver
Diagnosed with multiple myeloma at 53 while running marathons, Bob Hughes has faced stem cell transplants, CAR-T therapy, and multiple clinical trials. More than two years after his last treatment, he shares the mindset that has carried him through the valley.
Aaron Baltaytis — Testicular Cancer Survivor
At 18, Aaron Baltaytis was diagnosed with metastatic testicular cancer — 27 tumors, four rounds of chemo, and a nine-hour surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Today he is in remission, back on the Northwestern swim team, and using his story to bring hope to others.