Ed and Kathy Hoeksema of Portage, Michigan and their daughter, Brenda Bonn of Winneconne, Wisconsin Kathy’s first bout with cancer was in 1998. Shocking news and, as with most people, a surprise. Before you know it there are decisions to be made and surgical procedures looming ahead – lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction and what form it […]

It was late September when a rug was jerked out from under my feet, shattering my whole world, as I knew it. A breast cancer diagnosis left me shocked, panicked and terrified. Then I got on the cancer treatment train, one appointment after another trying so hard to understand this foreign culture that I had […]

Richard “Dick” Hurkman Oshkosh, Wisconsin Dick had gone to his general practitioner for a cough. His doctor noticed he had not had a check up in some time and at age 57 he had never had his PSA checked or an exam. After receiving the necessary blood tests, Dick received “that call.” The physician’s office […]

Kathi Hansen Wrightstown, Wisconsin Life as a cancer survivor began in 2003 when Kathi was diagnosed with Stage 2B Breast Cancer. It was one of the most common types, invasive ductal, and she found comfort in the fact that many before her had been successfully treated. As a self-proclaimed “info junkie” Kathi spent hours reading […]

Linda Kester of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Because of her fibromyalgia, Linda was accustomed to living with pain. Her adventurous life as a pilot and rock climber was long over and she had just gone on medical disability. But when she finally had to admit that her extended belly was not from eating her favorite […]

This is not just any necklace, mind you. This necklace, you might say, was destined to become The necklace. Rather than destiny, I prefer to believe God was directing the events in the lives of this family. The family of Allan and Joanne Schultz was about to experience the joy through sorrow that only God […]

A shared interest in songwriting and a natural desire to help others led Burt and Mackenzie Peterson to write a song about cancer. Burt has been playing guitar and singing since he was a young child, following his grandfather’s legacy of musical talent.  He has enjoyed playing in a variety of settings from church to […]