UMass Memorial saved my life twice! First in 2011, after I sustained life threatening injuries in a cycling crash. The trauma team nursed me back to health and I came back to have my strongest cycling season ever.

In October 2013, just months after competing in my first half ironman, I was diagnosed with leukemia. I was admitted for immediate treatment and spent the entire month in the hospital. The hematology /oncology department saved my life. I endured six rounds of chemotherapy. The doctors, physician assistants and nursing staff were all incredible, and I can't thank them enough for all they have done for me!!-- Karen Luchini

UMass Memorial saved my life twice!

In January 1994 (62 years), I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and was given a 5 percent chance of recovering. My physician, Dr. Rhena Shopnick, is credited for me living to 82 years old and still 'kicking.'

-- Lloyd Perreault

82 Years Old and Still Kicking

UMass Memorial has been taking care of me and my family for the past 32 years: My sister's diabetes, my Crohn’s disease and brain cancer, and my mom's uterine cancer. Thank you to the doctors and nurses of UMass Memorial! -- Dave McGrath

…taking care of me and my family for the past 32 years

I am cancer free… In October 2014, both Dr. Christine Bielick and Dr. Fisher of the pulmonary department convinced me to go and see Dr. Carl Uy (for a lung cancer diagnosis). Upon having the PET scan done … I had lung surgery with a robot. After a couple of visits to Dr Uy and his nurse practitioner, Maggie Powers, I am cancer free. I love my doctors for saving my life. I really do. Along with my nurse practitioners and the 3 West staff, I was able to heal and go home in three days instead of five. They treated my family and friends like they were royalty. I want credits to also go to Dr. Chau, Dr. Harroll and Dr. Graeber - fantastic doctors. One last thanks goes out to the receptionist at Dr. Uy's and Dr. Bielick's office for being so patient with me. Did I mention that I love my doctors at UMass Memorial and thank God for prayers and fantastic staff?

-- Darlene Renaud

I am well today. In 2009, I was diagnosed with late stage colon cancer that had penetrated the wall of the colon into my abdomen. It was all good until my mammogram in the spring of 2014 - the diagnosis of early stage breast cancer. More surgery to remove the cancer, six weeks of radiation, and follow up with my oncologist. I am well today because of the excellent care I received from the doctors, nurses, and staff at UMass Memorial.-- Carol Conrad

I am well today

In August 2012, I had a life changing surgery, gastric bypass by Dr Czerniach. (He) saved my life in a different way than I ever thought . When I was losing weight, I found a lump on my left breast, which turned out to be stage 2 triple negative her/2 invasive ductal carcinoma. I don't think I would have ever found the lump if I hadn't lost that weight so I was saved not once but twice. Dr. Quinlan gave me my options and I went the radical route. Double mastectomy with 17 Lymph nodes removed, chemo and radiation! I am alive thanks to a wonderful team of doctor and nurses. How do I thank someone for saving my life. Thank you all!-- Andrea Burke

I am alive thanks to a wonderful team…

In August 2006, I discovered a lump in my left breast. My primary care doctor put me in contact with what I feel is the greatest team of physicians I personally want on my side. After (I) heard the dreaded word ‘cancer,’ my team came up with the battle plan of attack, and on October 13, 2006, I underwent surgery to remove the lump and have a lymph node dissection brilliantly performed by Dr. Robert Quinlin. The next plan was chemotherapy where I met Dr. Kathryn Edmiston. After 8 treatments of chemo I made my way to Dr. Cicchetti for radiation. I had been cancer-free for 8 years when a PET scan was showing a spot on the pelvis which turned out to be cancer. I also had 3 spots on my spine. Again I was under the care of Dr. Cicchetti and Dr. Edmiston. I am happy to say the cancer has been eradicated from my pelvis. I am here to say I have the best team I could have ever imagined. They never hesitate to answer the smallest of questions I might have. Dr. Edmiston and Dr. Cicchetti you are the best!-- Linda White

…the greatest team of physicians I personally want on my side

I'm well today because of the life saving care I received at UMass Memorial. In August 2012, I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. My wonderful surgeons were Dr. Susan Zweizig and Dr. Laura Lambert. Three weeks later, I started 4 1/2 months of chemotherapy. It certainly wasn't an easy time for my family and I, but the amazing cancer center staff was always there for us. I'm now cancer free after 2 1/2 years and so grateful that I was able to have my care here.

--Sheila Burque

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…the amazing cancer center staff was always there for us

In 2007, I found a small lump in my left breast. I went to see my gyn, Dr. Brenda Neary. She immediately set up a biopsy for that afternoon. She recognized the signs of inflammatory breast cancer. I call her my life saver!! During research, I found that most doctors believe that it is a breast infection and give antibiotics to their patient. Most of those women pass away within six months. After family meetings with my cancer team, I underwent 18 weeks of chemo, a double mastectomy and 38 radiation treatments at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Except for my diabetes and a heart attack in 2013 (a medical stent was put in place), I really feel good! I am 67-years-old and glad to be alive. I attribute it to the care I received from Dr. Neary and my oncology team headed by Dr. Kathy Edmiston.-- Donna Towner

I am 67-years-old and glad to be alive

I went for my yearly physical with my primary doctor, Mary Hawthorne. I mention I had been itchy. She checked my stomach and felt something was enlarged. A week later she called to say I needed to see an oncologist immediately as my white count was extremely elevated. I saw Dr. Doreen Brettler at the Cancer Center at UMass Memorial who did a bone marrow biopsy and found I had a rare for of leukemia CMML. I had three months of chemo at UMass Memorial and then (had) a stem cell transplant on November 20, 2013. My sister was a match. Not only am I well because of Dr. Hawthorne, but I am alive and leukemia free.-- Barbara White

…alive and leukemia free

The team of physicians at UMass Memorial have surpassed our expectations in every way! When my husband was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, we had planned to do everything in our power to fight this awful disease. After talking with Dr. Richard Moser, we knew we could stay right here 'at home' and be treated for this horrible disease. Dr. Moser was amazing and his surgical skills clearly helped to save his life. The physicians who care for him, his PCP Steve Erban; Radiation Oncologist T.J. FitzGerald; Medical Oncologist William Walsh; Pulmonologist Richard Irwin; Critical Care Specialist Wiley Hall, and the many, many nurses and care givers who have coordinated to deliver the best care possible have helped to keep him here to see his kids grow! We are truly 'well' because of all that UMass Memorial has provided to us over these past 8 years. -- Sandy Taubert

…surpassed our expectations in every way!

How do you thank somebody for saving your life? I don't know any adequate way, but the following is an effort to express my sincere and lasting gratitude to the group of doctors and other medical professionals who saved me from almost certain death. (After a clinical trial and other treatment methods), I was sent to the Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Center in Fitchburg, MA (for radiation treatment of prostate cancer). I was fortunate to have Dr. Thomas J. FitzGerald of UMass Memorial in charge of my treatment. He is a true expert in this area. Fortunately, some really special equipment was available at Simonds-Sinon. They had a new state-of-the-art robotic positron generator. After the radiation was completed, my PSA dropped. The bottom line is that I am convinced that the people whom I have mentioned and their assistants have saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that.-- Richard Townsend

How do you thank somebody for saving your life?

UMass Memorial Radiology found my teeny tiny breast cancer and I had surgery and radiation. Thanks to early detection at UMass Memorial and being lucky that it was the 'good' kind of cancer, I will beat this!-- Elizabeth Garamy

I will beat this!

… A fine surgeon and great oncologist at UMass Memorial gave me 26 years of life after a diagnosis of lung cancer.

-- Dolores Courtemanche