Nancy Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2010. In this picture in November 2010, Nancy had a mastectomy and had begun several rounds of chemotherapy and will soon begin radiation treatments as well.

Nancy is a Prescription Technician with CVS Pharmacy in Goshen, so she is very educated about the medications involved in cancer treatment. She wished she had learned about the Journey Through Treatment program before she had heart test, because the insurance company denied the test claiming it was not preapproved.

Nancy and her husband Erwin, have three children and one 16-month-old grandson.  Their youngest son, Tyler, attends Purdue University and is getting married.  Nancy and her husband enjoy attending local festivals, and just attended an ice carving exhibition. Nancy loves walking and gardening, and her son reports that she is a voracious cleaner. The Smiths attend River Oaks Community Church, and are a great example of your United Cancer donations at work.

Davonda Wiley is a soft-spoken 21-year-old young lady who has already had half her stomach removed due to her stomach cancer.  In this picture, Davonda is undergoing chemotherapy and will soon receive radiation treatments. 

Davonda is a graduate of Northridge and now works at The Maples nursing home, where she is a CNA.  Davonda is studying Medical Billing and Coding through an online curriculum at Antonelli College in Jackson Mississippi. 

Davonda loves to hang out with her friends at local restaurants like McDonald's, Applebee's & the Olive Garden.  She also attends many local events such as The Elkhart Jazz Festival, Rhapsody in Green, and she is active in the 4-H Fair.  Not letting her cancer keep her down, Davonda is looking forward to a trip to Miami with her cousins, and a family reunion this summer in Tennessee. 

Fortunately Davonda has a very involved and caring family, but her parents insurance will require them to cover 20% of what could easily be a $350,000 treatment plan.  Davonda is a great example of your donations at work for your neighbors cancer.

Mark Watkins was born in Nappanee and now lives in Goshen and in February 2010 is in treatment for colon cancer.  Mark is a great example of getting checkups, because his exam found a suspicious polyp in his colon that was diagnosed as cancer.

Mark has an interesting career, although he lives in Elkhart County, he spends the time from Memorial Day to Labor Day working in a state of Oregon program as a fisherman to help improve the chances of survival for the salmon population.  Mark works in his own small boat fishing for a pike minnow in the snake River Valley and says that it is one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Mark also sells antiques in Arizona, and the rest of his time he spends searching for antiques, doing woodworking projects, collecting Indian artifacts, hunting mushrooms and occasionally fishing in Indiana for pleasure.  Mark is also an accomplished cook and says that his time in treatment has allowed him to experiment with new recipes.  Mark wishes that he could write a cookbook during this down time while he is in treatment, but he says that the chemotherapy affects his concentration to severely.

Mark hopes to go back to fishing in Arizona when he's done with his treatment in May 2010, but says that it is extraordinarily physical work.  He says that the water on the Snake River is extremely fast and cold, and said it's like riding a roller coaster, extreme fishing.

Mark has not been able to work since his diagnosis, and appreciates United Cancer's help as he has had surgery and will spend six months receiving chemotherapy.

Tanya Wedge

Pictured here, Tanya Wedge is nursing her three-month-old granddaughter Haydin Replogle, who gleefully cooed and gulped her lunch.  Tanya’s daughter believes that destiny brought her new baby at this time to help her mother through her cancer treatment.  And, Tonya is an excellent grandmother!
        When Tanya was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2009, she discovered that she tested positive for the gene that passes breast cancer.  That meant that she had a higher risk for breast cancer to recur.  After careful research, Tanya decided to have both her breasts removed, even though only one was cancerous.  Some insurances would not cover removal of a healthy breast, but because she tested positive for the gene, Tanya insurance did cover the added surgery.
        Tanya is an avid flower gardener.  She and her husband Chris have an Indian motorcycle and love going on motorcycle trips together with their extended family.
        Tanya worked for Syndicate Systems for 18 years and her company paid her health insurance for six months after her diagnosis.  In November 2009, Tanya began paying COBRA fees to retain her health insurance.  Her husband lost his trucking job in the economic downturn, but has picked up part-time work as a mechanic. Tanya receives disability income.  She is very concerned about their loss of income, and your donations will help make a partial payment for Tanya's mortgage.

26-year-old Melissa Thompson was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of 2009.  Melissa is a part-time student at Ivy Tech studying computer information systems and works part time as a waitress at Buffalo Wild Wings in Goshen.  Unfortunately, that means Melissa did not have health insurance when she was diagnosed with cancer.  After surgery to remove her breast, Melissa owes approximately $70,000 in medical bills, and in the first week of May will begin follow-up chemotherapy treatments.  Melissa has applied for Medicaid and is awaiting their decision.  In the meantime, Melissa considers herself a movie buff and loves scary movies, although lately she surprised herself and has gotten hooked on the kung fu genre.  Melissa's good friend Debbie Newcomer has played a key support role, and actually called United Cancer for Melissa. United Cancer will help Melissa pay for her medications until Medicaid finishes processing her paperwork.  Melissa Thompson is a great example of your donations working at United Cancer.

Michelle Swartz is only 30 years old and has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Pictured here in April 2009 with her son, Isaiyah, Michelle has completely recovered from her surgery and is about to begin chemotherapy.  Michelle is a nurse in the Step Down Unit at Elkhart General Hospital, so she understands the medical implications of her diagnosis and treatment better than most.  Michelle's husband Ryan works at Bennington Marine, and they have four children Calyn 11, Tryston 9, Amyah 6, and Isaiyah 5.  The family is very involved in the Northside Nazarene Church and Cleveland Little League.  In fact, all four children will be playing Little League in 2009 and their dad is both a coach and umpire.  Michelle says that Ryan might as well pitch a tent and live at the Little League park this summer.  Michelle is a huge basketball fan and loves both pro and college, although her favorite team is the Indiana Hoosiers.
        Michelle came to United Cancer for help in paying for her wig which is not covered by insurance, and some of her out-of-pocket copayments.  Michelle and her family are a great example of your donations helping your neighbor's in Elkhart County.

Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams is a great example of your donations at work and a great illustration of the importance of regular mammograms.  When Sarah's mother scheduled her own mammogram, her mom took the initiative and made an appointment for Sarah at the same time.  Thank goodness she did, because that mammogram was the first step in the early detection of Sarah's breast cancer.  Because of her early detection, Sarah needed only a lumpectomy surgery and will undergo follow-up chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  Sarah works at the Angels Central Academy, which is a day care, and her husband, Randy, works at North End Cycle.  She has a 21 year old stepson and two teenage daughters.  Naturally Sara's cancer diagnosis has been stressful on their family, but they are thankful that her chances of recovery are excellent.  Your donations will help Sarah pay for some of her treatment costs and a wig as she begins her chemotherapy.

Teigan Donoho

Teigan Donoho, sitting on her mother's lap, was first diagnosed with cancer when she was four months old.  Three years later, in the spring of 2009, Teigan is a living miracle.  Her treatment has been a tremendous ordeal both for the baby and for the family.  But early 2009 Teigan is taking a break from chemotherapy and is walking, growing and thriving.  Traveling to Ann Arbor, Michigan for cancer treatment has been a tremendous stress on their family as well has on their finances.  Your donations to United Cancer have helped provide this family with some much needed relief from the stress of the financial costs of cancer.

Glennis Brecheisen

When Glennis Brecheisen was diagnosed with lymphoma the doctor was concerned that she could not tolerate chemotherapy because she is 88 years old.  The doctor first tried a milder non-chemotherapy medication which was not effective.  Five mild doses of chemotherapy yielded positive results, and in January 2009 Glennis is waiting to hear if she is in remission.  Glennis came to United Cancer for help paying for her wig.

Melissa Weldy

Melissa Weldy is 24 years old and was diagnosed with uterine cancer in January of 2009.  Pictured here with her husband Brad in June 2009, she had already had a hysterectomy and is halfway through her seven-month long chemotherapy regime.  After chemotherapy she will probably also received radiation treatments.  Melissa was a nurse at Elkhart General, working in the chronic pain unit.  She is unable to work now because of her treatment, and needs help with some of the medical bills.