We constantly hear about cancer deaths, but every once and a while, we hear the rare cases of cancer survivors. Linda VanDershaaf is one such survivor and today she is giving back to the very people who contributed toward saving her life.
“How can you ever say thank you?” said Linda.“The chemo staff, lab staff, the chemo nurses were amazing, the MRI staff, everything was easy during a challenging time in my life and that’s because of this place here.”
After immersing herself back into her old lifestyle, Linda wasn’t done with the hospital staff. She felt she needed to stay involved and contribute toward cancer treatment in some way. So together with her and 700 other participants, she was able to raise $121,000 all of which will go toward the support of cancer care equipment. The money was raised through the 11th annual Our Hospital Walk/Run.
Linda recognizes the direct impact this will have on cancer patients. The medical equipment she is helping fund was beneficial toward her healing process. She underwent chemotherapy for four months, rigorous blood work and 24 never ending months of bone strength, all done under the same roof.
Linda suffered from a tumor that was located in her lower vertebrae. After testing in December of 2012, shortly before Christmas, it was only a matter of time between bone marrow biopsies for the doctors to diagnose her with multiple myeloma, a very rare blood cancer. Multiple myeloma develops in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. To learn more, click here.
Though it’s just remission and the possibility of the cancer returning is there, Linda is trying to stay positive and enjoy the ever so beautiful present.
“You want to be as normal as you can be for your family and for yourself. The world keeps moving,” said Linda. “but my life stopped. Having stuff close to home you can be as normal as you can possibly can be.”
After the run and walk, all awards were given out as a reminder that the cancer community is the most close-knit and supportive community in the world.
