Patient Stories

“Get up and do what you can.”

Patient Stories

Nothing in Salima Witt’s history would have suggested kidney cancer. Salima was healthy and active, did not smoke or drink alcohol, was diligent with yearly checkups, blood work, and wellness tests, and she had none of the common symptoms of kidney cancer such as side pain, fatigue, or blood in the urine. But after an otherwise ordinary ER visit in…

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Kidney cancer changed how Tracie saw her world

Patient Stories

As a wedding photographer, Tracie Taylor observed unique, intimate moments and captured them through her lens. But a kidney cancer diagnosis about four years ago changed that for her. Photo courtesy of Tracie Taylor. “For a photographer, vision is a huge thing,” said Taylor, who is 49 and lives in California. “With every surgery, through treatment, from coming off meds…

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On his motorcycle, Stewy rides for kidney cancer

Patient Stories

Photo courtesy of Stewy It had been six years since Stewy was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer – four years longer than the life expectancy his doctors initially gave him. So, it seemed like a good time for an epic solo motorcycle ride. “Cancer wasn’t going to stop me,” Stewy, 57, said. “And it was the opportune time.” On…

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A clinical trial and a positive attitude helped Bill Brown ring the bell

Patient Stories

October 30, 2019 was an emotional day for Bill Brown. After 32 immunotherapy infusions to treat kidney cancer over two years, Bill was about to head into his final treatment. Video courtesy of Bill Brown. But first, a quick stop. “It’s been quite a journey,” he told the family and staff from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas who…

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Dawne Gee worked hard to get answers about her kidney cancer

Patient Stories

In her community, Dawne Gee is known as the person with answers. As a news anchor in Louisville, Kentucky, Gee, 56, is a smiling face to many on and off camera who often contact her with their concerns, especially when it comes to health because Gee has been so open about her own health struggles. Dawne Gee, anchor at WAVE3…

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“I have a whole new lease on life”

Patient Stories

Four years ago, John Floyd didn’t think he’d be where he is today. At the time, wracked with a cough that had persisted for a year, he was diagnosed with stage IV renal cell carcinoma. But following surgery to remove his right kidney and three types of chemotherapies that yielded no positive results for over a year, Floyd, 76, responded…

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Students “Go Orange” for beloved football coach Frank Matrise Jr.

Donor Story, Patient Stories

When students in Kenosha, Wisconsin wanted to celebrate a beloved local football coach, they did it in a blaze of color, turning the stands orange during a Friday night game. Frank Matrise Jr. died of kidney cancer on July 11, 2019, age 53. He coached football at St. Joseph Catholic Academy and later at Tremper High School for a combined…

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Daniele shares his story of conquering stage II kidney cancer

Patient Stories

Daniele, who lives in Milano, Italy, was diagnosed with stage II kidney cancer at age 46 in 2005. However, Daniele never let his diagnosis get in the way of how he lived life. You can read more about his incredible story of survival below:  Q: Tell me about your diagnosis. A: I was driving back from a business meeting and…

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Allen’s story of resilience

Patient Stories

Allen was diagnosed with stage IV clear cell renal cell carcinoma six years ago. After his diagnosis, he tried targeted therapy but experienced harsh side effects which eventually led him to having surgery. In June 2012, Allen underwent a nephrectomy on his right kidney. When he found out the cancer metastasized to his lung, he received a lobectomy three and…

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Eric shares his experience with stage II kidney cancer

Patient Stories

Eric, who was otherwise a healthy individual, was diagnosed with stage II kidney cancer last December. The doctors estimated that the tumor had been growing for 9-10 years. Eric beat the cancer by undergoing a radical renal nephrectomy on his right kidney. Q: Tell me about your diagnosis. How did you find out you had kidney cancer? A: I joke…

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