Serena Hollingsworth Solvang
Live life now; love deeper; forgive more. Those are powerful words from breast cancer survivor Serena Hollingsworth. Diagnosed initially in 2000, Serena thereafter underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation-twice. Through this journey, Serena credits her friends, family, and the medical staff who helped her laugh and stay positive through all stages of treatment. She says that believing she was a survivor, fighting back, and not being willing to give in to the disease helped her through those challenging times.

Ellen Cirigliano San Jose
When first diagnosed with grade 3 brain cancer in the fall of 2006, Ellen Cirigliano was told she had six to eight months to live. Now, more than one year later, Ellen is still fighting strong. She credits her support system with her life. Even while undergoing treatment, she stays physically active, recently running the New York City Marathon with the LIVESTRONG Marathon Team and taking an active leadership role in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. She is a member of the board of directors of The Wellness Community/Silicon Valley, which was recently granted a charter. Ellen hopes the new center will provide better services and support for all Bay Area people living with cancer. Her advice to those newly diagnosed with cancer is to know that cancer is not a death sentence. She says, "Unity is strength, knowledge is power, and attitude is everything. Don't be afraid to ask for help or accept support. Living with cancer is possible, and it doesn't have to be an entirely negative experience."

Katherine Boyd Modesto
In April 2003, Katherine Boyd was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Katherine is now cancer free. She credits the tremendous support from her husband, Brad, who was always by her side; her coworkers who brought dinner to her house and chipped in for a cleaning service; and her family and friends who sent cards, visited, and called. Katherine also found comfort from fellow cancer survivors and found strength by participating in the Triumph Cycling Program offered by Memorial Hospital in Modesto.

Tom Pomeroy San Jose
Tom Pomeroy wants to remind people to live life one day at a time-and to live it like you've never lived it before. In June 1996, he was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). After undergoing chemotherapy and surgery to remove his spleen due to low platelet counts, Tom is currently still battling the disease. With CLL, the best that the medical profession can do for him is to knock down the leukemia, wait for it to come back, and then start treatments again. Tom's support system-consisting of family members, friends, his pastor, and the many new friends he's made in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-provides him with much-needed moral support. Tom understands the importance of keeping his family and good friends close, and he encourages others to let their own loved ones lift them up when they're down. He says life is like playing cards: you have no control over the cards dealt to you, but you do control how you play the cards that are dealt.

Phil Delgadillo San Jose
In the summer of 2000, at the age of 31, very fit and active Phil Delgadillo learned that cancer doesn't discriminate: he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. While undergoing the Stanford 5-a series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments-Phil never missed a day of work. He credits his career with helping him stay busy rather than feel sorry for himself, and he also credits his family and friends, especially his mother, for serving as a tremendous support system. Phil's advice for those who have been diagnosed with cancer is that education is key. He says, "Don't be afraid to get a second opinion about your treatment. Don't be afraid to talk to someone who has been there and knows what you're going through.

Samuel Dickerson Modesto
"You just saved your life. You have cancer." Those are the words 58-year-old Samuel Dickerson first heard on waking up from a colonoscopy procedure in October 2006. Thanks to diagnosis at an early stage, Samuel underwent surgery to remove the cancer and did not require further treatment. With an immense support system-including God, his family, fellow church members, coworkers, and his medical team at his side-this former University of Southern California football champ experienced one of the biggest victories of his life: beating cancer. Because of his experience, Samuel wants to deliver a message to the world: "By the time you reach the age of 50, it's time to schedule a colonoscopy."

Rita Grodt Modesto
In May 2005, Rita G. was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent primary treatment in 2005 that included a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. After a second diagnosis in 2006, Rita underwent a bilateral mastectomy. She credits the friendship and support of fellow breast cancer survivors and her two teenage kids with helping her fight through the disease. Rita's advice to those newly diagnosed with cancer is to find other cancer survivors who understand the procedures, challenges, and emotions that have to be faced. Rita also encourages patients to ask questions and learn everything they can about their cancer.

Jane Bender Santa Rosa
Jane Bender is a 15-year cancer survivor who believes cancer can change a life for the best. Since beating breast cancer in 1994, she describes the experience as an opportunity to reach out to others, to learn to be vulnerable, and in that process, to also learn what gratitude really is. Jane's advice to those diagnosed with cancer is, "Be vulnerable. Ask for help. Cry a lot. Laugh a lot." Jane believes in the importance of regular mammograms and says, "One reason-probably the most important reason-to keep up with regular mammograms is to help guarantee I can be part of my grandson's life in the years to come."

Jacob DeLong Santa Clarita
Jacob DeLong's leukemia diagnosis at age 6 years in June 2006 came six years after his brother Justin lost his battle to leukemia. Jacob asked, "Is this what JD had? Am I going to die too?" While Jacob's leukemia is considered standard risk and JD's was high risk, Jacob's mother, Lisa, knows that leukemia treatment is challenging in any form. She says, "Living with cancer is a long and challenging ride and one best completed with an enthusiastic team. We are thankful for any and all efforts which make the journey a little lighter." The DeLong family feels indebted to the people of the Santa Clarita valley and their incredibly generous and continuous support, as Jacob still has more than one year of treatments to go.

Tom Whittaker Santa Barbara
Tom Whittaker credits his wife and daughters with reminding him of what is truly important in life and with helping him keep things in perspective. In January 2001, Tom was diagnosed with brain cancer. He underwent a craniotomy to debulk the tumor, followed by 2.5 rounds of Temodar so far over the past six years as well as six weeks of radiation in the fall of 2007. Also helping him through his fight are his medical team and fellow cancer survivors who understand and empathize with the ups and downs of cancer. Tom encourages those newly diagnosed with cancer to take charge of their diagnosis as soon as possible, to be their own advocate, and to accept the help of family and friends.

Patrick Downing Santa Clarita
Upon being diagnosed with head and neck cancer in the summer of 2007, Patrick Downing feared his days were numbered. He added up his life insurance policies and wondered how his wife and 3-year-old son would survive without him. Then one night, he heard a powerful voice say, "Stop thinking about death!" Since that night Patrick's outlook on cancer has changed for the positive. With the tremendous support of his wife and coworkers, Patrick fought through the battle and received his last cancer treatment in November 2007. His advice to those who are newly diagnosed is to pray a lot because it works and to talk with people who have been through it.

Bob Hammer Danville
Bob is a two-time testicular cancer survivor. During his second bout, he raised money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and met Lance and Lance's oncologist, Dr. Craig Nichols, in Texas. This was one week before he was set to have a surgery at Stanford which would have left him unable to have any more children. Dr. Nichols suggested he not have the surgery, and Bob listened. Bob and his wife Kim naturally conceived their second child, Josh, one year later. In an effort to give back, Bob started the "Have a Ball" Foundation. The foundation has raised over $600,000 since 2005, benefits 15 cancer organizations, sends kids with cancer to camps and has established scholarships for oncology students.

Nancy Novak Sausalito
"I am with you." Those words from a Stanford oncologist helped Nancy Novak sustain an aggressive treatment plan to overcome a bleak diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer more than three and a half years ago. After 21 chemotherapy sessions, Nancy discovered firsthand the special services and spiritual support needed to live with, through, and beyond cancer. That's why she has created the nonprofit group Nancy's List, an organization dedicated to Marin County cancer survivors and their families, enabling them to connect with a community-wide support system. Nancy's advice to those with a new cancer diagnosis is, "Even as you face this horrendous uncertainty, give yourself permission to truly live and love."

Patt Baenen Palo Alto
In the summer of 2004, Patt Baenen was diagnosed with breast cancer. After treatment including a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation plus tremendous support from her husband, family, friends, and oncologist, Patt is now cancer free. "Cancer has completely changed my life," Patt says. "It really is possible to have something very bad become an eye opener as to what is of value in our lives and how many really wonderful people there are in this world of ours. So many stories, so many people touched by this disease. We need to stay focused on finding a cure, helping in any way we can."

Justin Chueh Palo Alto
Justin Chueh was diagnosed in January 2002 with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The devastating news was complicated by the fact that at the time, his wife, Pauline, was five months pregnant with their first child. With strong support from family, friends, and coworkers, the family was able to make it through chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and a pregnancy. "Having a strong support group is vital to beating cancer. Having people around to drive to appointments, cook for you, or just talk about something besides treatment and the disease really makes a difference," Justin says. Justin has now been in remission for five years and is active with the Team in Training bicycling program in raising funds for leukemia and lymphoma research.

Vicki Laidig McCuish Altadena
Vicki Laidig McCuish was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. Since then, she has received a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, oopherectomy, and breast reconstruction. Through every doctor's appointment and procedure, Vicki's husband was by her side. Also tremendously supportive were numerous friends and family members who offered flowers, cards, movies, meals, and hope. After treatment, Vicki found great support on her journey to life after cancer thorough the friendships she made with other breast cancer survivors at The Wellness Community, as well as the resources provided there. In particular, the Return to Wellness program for breast cancer survivors was extremely helpful to Vicki - from the speakers on different topics such as nutrition, alternative treatments and breast cancer education to the exercise program and support group. Vicki's advice to those newly diagnosed with cancer is to talk with people who have gone through similar treatments but remember that every situation is different.