Pamela Platt was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. But she decided to live every day with intention, to spend time with the people who matter to her–her family, her husband, and her community.

“I literally woke up saying those implants were Satan himself”

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.

Michele was an active young woman, working as an attorney and engaged to be married when she was diagnosed with leukemia. She’s pictured above with Lisa, whose bone marrow donation save Michele’s life.

Jordan Lawhead was a teenager when he was first diagnosed with melanoma. Exercise helped him feel better, but he also says you need to acknowledge the love of the people around you.

Erik was a successful entrepreneur with a young family when he was diagnosed with leukemia. His battle against the disease, and the friends he made along the way, inspired him to found The There Goes My Hero Foundation. His organization’s mission: to restore hope to Leukemia patients and their families through increasing bone marrow registrants, providing nutritious meals, and supporting blood cancer research.

Ronald Williams battled alcoholism before being diagnosed with lymphoma. Through his struggles, he has found strength in a higher power and satisfaction in volunteering his time helping other patients as they go through therapy. “I guarantee you,” he says of the Lord, “he’ll come through, he’ll pull you through this mess.”

Paul has come to appreciate everything he has like never before. Since being diagnosed with advanced skin cancer, he has taken his relationships with his wife and children to new levels. He has felt the warmth of family and friends as they have brought meals, helped with kids and pets, sent letters and emails or simply prayed for him. In a particularly touching gesture, Paul’s students raised over $1000 and made a donation in his name.

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

Leroy Sievers was a journalist who traveled the world covering wars, invasions and other conflicts. In 2005, he began a battle of his own against colon cancer. A producer for ABC’s Nightline, Leroy was a gifted communicator. During his illness he appeared in a Discovery Channel documentary with Ted Koppel and wrote a blog for National Public Radio called “My Cancer” – a project Leroy called the most meaningful of his career.

Laurie Singer, Leroy’s wife and caretaker, saw first hand how much the blog empowered Leroy and how intimately it connected him to the worldwide cancer community.