Highlighting patients and care partners from around the world living positive lives despite the hurdles they face.
These are their stories, in their own words.
About Jill Ross 
By Holly Radabaugh In this blog post, guest blogger Holly Radabaugh shares the story of how her mother survived a heart attack against all odds and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the more subtle signs of a heart attack that many women experience. Nine years ago, my mother had a heart attack and subsequently, open … Read more>>
By Cassidy Urbancic In this blog post, guest blogger Cassidy Urbancic shares her story of being diagnosed and learning to live with celiac disease as a young teen. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, it is estimated that celiac disease affects one in 100 people worldwide and that 2.5 million Americans are undiagnosed and at … Read more>>
By John McCaig In this blog post, guest blogger John McCaig shares his story of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest. With his second chance at life, John now works to spread awareness about this condition, which affects more than 200,000 Americans a year, and advocates for CPR training and availability of portable defibrillators. Cardiac arrest is … Read more>>
By Samantha Harkins In this blog post, guest blogger Samantha Harkins shares her journey with inflammatory bowel disease, including several misdiagnoses, multiple surgeries and finally accepting that Crohn’s Disease is part of her identity. Twenty-one years ago, I was a 19-year-old college junior working at my job at the mall. Suddenly I doubled over in … Read more>>
By Phyllisa Deroze In this blog post, Diabetes Advocate Phyllisa Deroze shares her story of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and how it affects her life on a daily basis. When I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2011, I was surprised, confused, and overwhelmed. My diagnosis came a week after my primary … Read more>>
By Cathy Moore In this blog post, Cathy Moore shares the journey she and her husband John travelled together after he was diagnosed with melanoma at age 47. May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Melanoma . . . The mention of that word still triggers my warrior’s instinct. My senses keen, I sit up straighter, and … Read more>>
In this blog post, Kathleen Furbee shares her story of being diagnosed with and treated for rheumatoid arthritis and how after 10 years of treatment she is grateful for the medical advances that allow her to live a full and happy life. By Kathleen Furbee When I was in my early fifties I came down with … Read more>>
In this blog post, Catherine Samargo shares her story of being diagnosed and treated for uterine cancer. She reflects upon what it was like to receive a cancer diagnosis in the midst of other family tragedies and how her mindset slowly shifted from one of victimization to one of compassion for all human beings enduring … Read more>>
In this blog post, Holly Clark offers her perspective on caring for loved ones suffering with dementia based on her professional experience working as a Community Manager for FirstCare Nursing Homes in Ireland and her personal experience caring for a family member dealing with the disease. By Holly Clark Hundreds of millions of people in the world … Read more>>
By Cynthia Pepper In this blog post, guest blogger Cynthia Pepper shares her incredible story of how she was diagnosed with inoperable cervical cancer and given little hope to survive, but a chance meeting with the right doctor saved her life. By participating in a clinical trial, she is alive today and in complete remission. … Read more>>