Seize the Days: Lives Touched by Cancer, A Collection of Oral Histories

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    Corneliussen-James, Dian "CJ"
    (2015-03-19T17:23:20Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Dian “CJ” Corneliussen-James, a retired Air Force intelligence officer, saw a need to support those who, like her, have metastatic breast cancer. Now, she is the chairman of METAvivor Research and Support, a program run by and for those with the disease.
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    Burkhart, Robert
    (2015-03-19T16:53:13Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Robert Burkhart was a bitter man who was estranged from his family for many years before being diagnosed with lung cancer. Now that's all changed.
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    Potepan, Frank
    (2014-10-03T11:57:23Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Frank Potepan fought lymphoma in the 1990s, and for the last several years has been involved in developing a local hospice program. For Frank and his wife, Ellen, it's a chance to show their gratitude and a rewarding and meaningful way to support the cancer care community.
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    Jennifer
    (2014-09-08T14:52:25Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Jennifer is a young woman who has battled three different cancers. At age 27 - two years after surviving her first bout with breast cancer - Jennifer realized she had been "plodding along" in a relationship with her husband in which her wellbeing was not a priority. "I think it was the cancer that was kind of the kick in the pants that I needed," she says. "So I had a husband-ectomy." These days, she chooses to focus not on stress but on what she has that others may lack. "I get to come home to my family every night and tuck my kids into bed and there's a lot of other people I've met along the way that don't get to do that."
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    Copaken, Dick
    (2014-08-14T14:14:58Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Dick Copaken was a renaissance man. In addition to being a Harvard-educated lawyer, a successful entrepreneur, a published author and a loving, generous family man, Dick was also an artist. He had painted since childhood, and for him it was not only a mode of self expression, but a way to give something back to the people around him. In the four months between his diagnosis and death, just as he did when he was healthy, he found ways to leave a lasting and positive influence on his family; his friends and on people he knew he would never meet. Dick Copaken's art is currently displayed at the U.S. Embassy in Japan, an Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in Washington DC, Harvard University, in the Secretary's Office in the East Building of the National Gallery of Art, and in the back drop of this websites masthead.
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    Spengler, Margaret
    (2014-07-21T11:24:32Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Margaret Spengler is the pastor of a United Methodist church in Pennsylvania who was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma on her leg and in her lung. She put her faith in God and follows her immune therapy treatment regimen and is doing well. Her congregation has been very supportive along with her family. Rebecca Wadel is a friend who knows other people with cancer and is a member of the congregation. Margaret asked her to join the interview and describe what it's like to have a pastor in cancer treatment.
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    Palmer, Chris
    (2014-07-21T11:23:26Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Chris is a three-time cancer survivor. He and his wife Jenny founded "Romance for a Cure", an organization that raises money for cancer research by selling cookies, cakes and other treats every Valentines Day. Or, as Chris calls it, " a bake sale on steroids".
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    Liss, Jeffrey
    (2014-06-02T14:25:05Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Jeffrey Liss, married to Susan Liss, had Pancreatic cancer. He loved Classical music, played the piano and had a career as a lawyer. He and his wife arranged for the hospital to have a music library. Music helped sustain him through his battle with cancer, and they wanted others to have access to music if perhaps it would help them. That was his legacy.
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    Schuller, Michael
    (2014-05-05T14:16:30Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    After being diagnosed with lung cancer, Mike traveled to his high school reunion, the Grand Canyon, and his own back yard.
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    Lanas, Maria
    (2014-04-09T15:45:42Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    When artist Maria Lanas spent time in the hospital with her father-in-law, Shapour, during his cancer treatments, she was inspired by the drops of chemotherapy medicine falling inside of his IV bottle. She imagined the fluid mixing with his blood and later created a series of paintings called, "Infusions." She calls the paintings a gift from her father-in-law. "It was a release for me," she says. "Art has been a good friend of mine."
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    Wells, Carrie
    (2014-04-01T12:18:12Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    For Carrie Wells, a powerful and positive part of surviving breast cancer was attending a retreat with women who shared similar journeys. Being surrounded by other survivors was a chance for connection, education, relaxation and healing. So moved was Carrie by the retreat experience, she felt compelled, to help other cancer survivors find equally valuable opportunities. Carrie launched SurvivorsRetreat.com, a website that offers a comprehensive, searchable database of cancer survival
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    Walsh, Joy
    (2014-03-27T16:17:22Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Joy Walsh is a brain cancer and breast cancer survivor who has participated in 8 Avon walks in order to raise money for cancer research. It's her way of giving back and working toward a cancer free world for her children.
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    Donziger, Marcia
    (2014-03-27T16:16:41Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Marcia Donziger was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 27. During treatment, it was challenging to keep her family informed about her progress. Marcia created MyLifeLine.org, a nonprofit organization that encourages cancer patients and caregivers to create free, customized websites and build an online support community to foster connection, inspiration, and healing.
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    Rabbin, Toby
    (2014-03-10T14:03:19Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Toby had cancer three times. Breast cancer three times. At first she rejected invasive treatment. Then she had a change of heart as a result of being a director of bereavement at a hospice.
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    Tono, Ernesto
    (2014-03-10T14:02:38Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Ernesto Tono was a man of faith who loved gardening, cooking and, most of all, the company of his family and friends.
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    Stenstrom, Kevin
    (2014-01-31T16:06:35Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Kevin Stenstrom was a marathon runner and a Naval Flight officer who, during a routine physical, was diagnosed with melanoma. After several surgeries and months of cancer therapy, Kevin founded team Miles 4 Melanoma, a program that provides runners with coaching and individual training plans, all the while raising money to support the Melanoma Research Foundation.
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    Sturdivant, Janina
    (2014-01-27T17:09:33Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Janina Sturdivant is 36 and has been diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. She participates in research studies and has an unusual treatment plan.She has learned to appreciate life and spending time with her children. She addresses middle school students about cancer and children with cancer. She advises always ask questions, take an active part in treatment, and join a support group.
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    Sorkin, Jerry
    (2014-01-27T15:03:35Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Jerry Sorkin created "Breathe Deep DC," a 5K walk to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and raise money for lung cancer.
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    Shoretz, Rochelle
    (2013-12-17T18:06:29Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Rochelle Shoretz was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28, and then with stage IV breast cancer at age 37. She is the founder and executive director of Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization that provides support and resources to young Jewish women and their families facing breast cancer. Despite the sadness her experience with cancer may have brought her loved ones, Shoretz says cancer gave her an opportunity to do what she loves.
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    Langer, Jenna
    (2013-12-06T16:13:43Z) Seize the Days, Inc.
    Jenna Langer created a blog - - after being diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. She uses the blog to report on her own progress, comment on issues of public policy and express her own creativity.