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04 May 2021
With 2021 and the returning normalcy, all we have today is the learnings that we can take with ourselves from 2020. The past year brought health to the center of attention and made everyone realize the necessity of a proper health care system, on an institutional and personal level. Thus this cancer month, we laud and bring to you stories of cancer survivors and their enduring fight who have always stood for the same cause, even when the world was wary of the harms of health negligence.
Robin Quivers - Radio Personality
Robin Quivers, co-host of The Howard Stern Show has been diagnosed with stage 3C endometrial cancer. However serious the situation might sound, Quivers walked through the complete journey holding hands with her humor. After a 12 hour long operation, the first thought to her was a joke, that she told Stern over the call. But, Stern was in no mood to laugh, she says. Unlike many, Quivers found out her condition just 10 days before the surgery day, when she was unable to urinate.
More than Quivers it was her friends who were more worried. He was the one who always kept everyone going with her funny bones. Shern cried over the call every time a friend called him up. After the surgery, she had to do chemotherapy for a complete 17 months. In July 2013, she was told by her doctors that she is cancer-free. The bubbly and charming Quivers have sailed through all odds ever since.
Sheryl Crow - Singer
Sheryl was diagnosed with a non-invasive form of breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ) in 2006. The nine-time Grammy Award winner was cancer-free after seven weeks of radiation therapy and lumpectomy, as she was diagnosed at a very early stage. The singer looks at her cancer story as learning that changed her perception towards self-care. She feels it should be everyone's priority to take care of themselves as they do for others.
And, for her, the community of similar survivors and people who were fighting the disease then helped her through the journey. Meditation helped her to go on and declutter her brain that is often overloaded with myriad thoughts. Sheryl is up and on for sharing her stories, churning out more music, all in parallel to putting herself first.
Betsey Johnson - Designer
Betsey Johnson, famous for her whimsical and feminine designs, is an American fashion designer. She is well-known for her cartwheel ending in a split at the end of her fashion shows. Betsey was born in 1942 in Connecticut, US. Her fashion career began when she entered and won the Mademoiselle Guest Editor Contest. In 2018, Betsey was on Sugar Rush as a guest judge on an episode called “frosted fashion”.
Betsey would often mention the fear that her breast implants would burst someday. Although one day when it happened for real, it proved to be life-saving for her. The popping of the implant revealed the lump of cancer that was hidden behind the breast implant. All of this happened in the year 1999 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The mammograms were not as advanced as they are now. She constantly mentions that even after going through a heart condition that is much more hidden than cancer, she is happy to have her health even at the age of 77. She still feels great and is kicking at work. On-time detection helped Betsey to fight cancer and live a healthy, long life. Thanks to the popped implant!
Lance Armstrong - Cyclist
Lance Armstrong, a road racing cyclist, is regarded as a sports icon. He has won the Tour de France seven consecutive times. It was right from 1999 to 2005. Although his reputation was spoiled due to a scandal and all his titles were taken away. Armstrong started his sporting career at the age of 12 as a swimmer. Moreover, he became a professional triathlete in 1989, at the age of 18. Also, at the age of 19, he became a national sprint-course triathlon champion in the year 1990. Later, at the age of 25, in the year 1996, Lance was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer (embryonal carcinoma).
He visited urologist Jim Reeves in Austin, Texas with complaints of headache, blurred vision, coughing up blood, and a swollen testicle. Further, on October 3rd, he had an orchiectomy to remove the diseased part. He took many standard treatments at different places. On December 13, 1996, Lance took his final chemotherapy treatment. Finally, In February 1997, Armstrong was declared cancer-free. Hence, Armstrong announced his retirement from competitive cycling in 2011.
And, The Struggle Is On
The courage and perseverance of all the survivors should be celebrated each day, throughout the year. Yes, this month exists for us to let these amazing people know that we are truly inspired by their life. We are thankful that they share their stories for setting an example for everyone out there. We admire their will to help others scale their journey with ease. All of us are proud of all the friends and families of the survivors for sticking through and giving them strength. All we want to say is, thank you. Thank you for making this a better place for everyone.
