Mike Whittles is a high school football coach who finds strength and support from his family, his friends, and his team.

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.

Bill Merriam fights cancer the same way he runs marathons: with a steely determination, measured perspective, laser-like focus and a positive attitude.

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.

Ernesto Tono was a man of faith who loved gardening, cooking and, most of all, the company of his family and friends.

Heather Johnson is a dedicated mom, a loving wife and a cancer warrior. Heather decided early on in her fight with colon cancer that she would wage an all-out war against the disease. With her friends and family by her side, she has written an online journal, raised money through the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and focused her energy on “living, surviving and thriving.”