Stories from Survivors

Mesothelioma Survivor Saved by Keytruda, Long-Distance Advice
- by Tim Povtak
- Stories from Survivors
- Oct 24, 2019
Wally Rogers should be back on the ski slope by early December, strong enough to cruise comfortably down picturesque Harper Mountain, not far from his home in Kamloops, British Columbia.
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Miraculous Mesothelioma Survivor Sets Tone for Fundraising Event
- by Tim Povtak
- Stories from Survivors
- Oct 16, 2019
Mesothelioma survivor Tina Herford is a testament to a rare combination of positive thinking, excellence in specialized care and the power of prayer. She is proof that miracles happen. Herford…
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Mesothelioma Survivor Takes a Stand Against Her Cancer
- by Tim Povtak
- Stories from Survivors
- Aug 21, 2019
Susan Dickman was told more than once that aggressive cytoreductive surgery, which could last up to 12 hours, might be too risky for her age and stage of disease.
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Immunotherapy Works Wonders for Mesothelioma Survivor
- by Tim Povtak
- Stories from Survivors
- Aug 8, 2019
Almost a year after chemotherapy had failed – and the end looked near – Barbara Lappala was happily hosting another big family gathering, savoring the sockeye salmon and sautéed sea…
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Mesothelioma Survivor Focuses on Faith and Helping Others
- by Tim Povtak
- Stories from Survivors
- Jul 18, 2019
Loretta Wilbur has turned her diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma into a way to help others in need. She wants to give back. Wilbur doesn’t just pray for herself…
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Mesothelioma Survivor Relishes Hosting Family Gatherings
- by Tim Povtak
- Stories from Survivors
- Jan 29, 2019
In 2015, malignant pleural mesothelioma interrupted the 57-year Thanksgiving Day family tradition that Marian Levin loved so much. It broke her heart, but it didn’t break her. Instead, it sparked…
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My Trip of Gratitude to Italy After Surviving Mesothelioma
- Guest Author
- Stories from Survivors
- Dec 19, 2018
Twenty-two years ago, I saw the doctor’s mouth moving but couldn’t hear anything after he said the words, “I’m sorry.” I was being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare and…
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Mafia to Ministry: Mesothelioma Survivor Helps Reform Mobsters
- by Tim Povtak
- Stories from Survivors
- Dec 10, 2018
Glenn Hovater made the jump from Mafia to ministry long before he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, providing the backdrop for the fight of his life. Time moves a…
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Mesothelioma Survivor Part of Sugarbaker Legacy
- by Tim Povtak
- Stories from Survivors
- Nov 19, 2018
Tom Roland remembers vividly his last checkup with mesothelioma treatment pioneer Dr. David Sugarbaker back in March, almost two years after his aggressive surgery. Sugarbaker left him feeling more…
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Former Nurse and Mesothelioma Survivor Still Helping Others
- by Matt Mauney
- Stories from Survivors
- Oct 22, 2018
Emily Ward retired from nursing after 43 years following her pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. But she never stopped helping people. She served on her local community board as a selectman for…
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