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Leah Reineke Fallopian Tube Cancer Survivor “If I help one person because of what I’ve been through,” said Leah Reineke, “I will feel like I’ve done my job.” Leah uses her experience as a fallopian tube cancer survivor as a way to strengthen, inspire and inform. A member of several support groups…

Greg Hansen Kidney Cancer Survivor “I feel so blessed,” insisted Greg Hansen. “I would gladly give all the good fortune I have had to others when it comes to this illness.” Greg was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in his left kidney in August of 2014. Surgery was performed by a Methodist Hospi…

Jessica Hunter Guerrero Melanoma Survivor "I thought I was invincible," says Jessica Hunter Guerrero, a former sun worshipper and frequent tanning bed user. At 24, Jessica was not overly concerned to discover an odd mole on her arm, but she was shocked by the diagnosis. Melanoma, the most dangero…

Jim DeupreeMultiple Myeloma Survivor"When I held our first grandchild in my arms, I broke down," admits Jim Deupree, who is known for his calm and quiet strength.After Jim was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 54, he and his wife, Jill, prayed he would live to see their children graduate from c…

Parents have a big job. Their most important duty is to keep their baby safe from harm.  Quite literally, their baby’s life is in their hands. Every day, through the Shaken Baby Task Force, I work to save babies’ lives. My No. 1 duty is to prevent shaken baby syndrome. Shaken baby syndrome Shak…

Ernie Brenneis Pancreatic Cancer Survivor "Maybe there is hope after all — that’s what I thought when I came for treatment and saw the cancer survivors’ photos on the wall," Ernie Brenneis remembers. After Ernie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2011, he and his wife, Carolyn, began putting…

Margie Johnson Sinus Cancer Survivor "The diagnosis was a surprise," explains Margie Johnson, a busy South Dakota farm wife stunned to learn that cancer was the cause of her headaches. Margie received the advanced treatment she needed from the care team at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center, inclu…

Steve Malcolm Lung Cancer Survivor "Don't take any moment of life for granted," says Steve Malcolm. When Steve's family practice physician, Steven Osborn, MD, discovered a fist-sized lung tumor, Steve turned to the Methodist Lung/Thoracic Oncology Clinic, where caring and skillful specialists — in…

Brandy Sonier Caregiver “She was always there for me so it was the least I could do,” says Brandy Sonier, a woman who is the very definition of “caregiver.” When Brandy’s mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in August 2014, she didn’t hesitate to open her home to provide 24-hour care. Ru…

Margie Ostgaard Cervical Cancer Survivor "The diagnosis was a surprise," explains Margie Johnson, a busy South Dakota farm wife stunned to learn that cancer was the cause of her headaches. Margie received the advanced treatment she needed from the care team at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center, i…