Welcome to a second special episode of the Believe in Progress Podcast, from the AACR Foundation. June is National Cancer Survivor Month. Join us as we #celebratesurvivorship throughout the month. This episode is dedicated to the remarkable people and families who have faced cancer with courage, resilience, and hope. Their stories inspire us and highlight the importance of research-driven advances in cancer science and medicine.

In today's "Best of Survivor Stories" episode, we'll revisit some of the most impactful conversations we've had with cancer survivors. These stories capture their journeys, the challenges they overcame, and the triumphs they achieved. Our goal is to honor their strength and to raise awareness about the critical issues that cancer survivors face.

Featured Survivor Stories:

1. Ricki Fairley (from Episode 4)

- Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor and thriver, CEO and Co-Founder of TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance. Ricki is dedicated to eradicating breast cancer and supporting women through their cancer journeys.

2. Donna James (from Episode 10)

- Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor and trusted advisor to leaders in the public and private sector. Donna's diagnosis led her to champion cancer research and the development of mastectomy bras.

3. Benjamin David (from Episode 11)

- Survivor of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, senior rabbi at Congregation Adath Emanu-El, and avid marathon runner. Benjamin shares his journey of recovery and resilience, continuing to inspire through his active lifestyle and community leadership.

4. Paul Stoller (from Episode 15)

- Lymphoma survivor, anthropologist, and author. Paul’s experience with cancer and his study of West African sorcery provided unique insights into illness and healing, which he documented in his memoir.

5. Melissa Berry (from Episode 16)

- Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor and founder of Cancer Fashionista. Melissa has become a trusted voice in the breast cancer community, offering beauty tips and self-care advice for cancer patients.

6. Mary Gloria Orji (from Episode 20)

- Breast cancer survivor and founder of the Network of People Impacted by Cancer in Nigeria (NePICiN). Mary Gloria's work has been pivotal in supporting cancer patients in Nigeria and combating societal stigma.

7. Saranne Rothberg (from Episode 22)

- Stage IV cancer survivor and founder of the ComedyCures Foundation. Saranne's organization brings joy and laughter to those affected by illness, demonstrating the healing power of humor.

If today's stories inspired you and want to make a difference, please consider donating to the American Association for Cancer Research at AACR.org/Donate. Your contributions directly support groundbreaking research and improve the lives of cancer survivors.

Remember to subscribe to our podcast to catch all the episodes. Share this podcast with friends and family to spread awareness and celebrate the resilience of cancer survivors. Together, we can drive progress and bring hope to countless lives.

Thank you for listening, and until next time, keep believing in progress and the power of survivorship.