Honor Wall

Jessica Story

June Montgomery

My mom was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2013. We took her to the ER for neck pain and she couldn’t move her arms. The ER doctor at the time did some scans and found tumors on her neck. By this time it was already stage four she lived a year after she was diagnosed my mom was my best friend.

Christopher Goyette

Chris lit up every room he entered. When you needed a friendly face or a pep talk, he was the one you sought out. He was a spectacular father, husband, son, and friend who loved the water, boating, and most of all going on adventures with his loved ones.
His diagnosis with Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma in 2019 at age 41 was shocking, but he did not allow it to devastate or define him. His cancer was extremely aggressive, estimated to be 75+% sarcomatoid, and is associated with an average survival time of 6 months. But thanks to advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy over the decade preceding his diagnosis and the skill and dedication of his physicians at Columbia and NY Presbyterian, he got 18 additional months to spend with his five young kids, who he treasured and who absolutely adored him. He made every minute spent together with us count during those months, and we will be forever grateful for that time and the indelible memories we created. Rest easy and fly high, Chris. Your love lives on in us.

Liz Ferrie

Justin Nash

My perfectly healthy amazing husband was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer in August 2017. When he was diagnosed it had already metastasized to his bones, lungs, pancreas, and brain. He never had any symptoms until it had metastasized to his brain and he had some numbness in his fingers. He ran 40 miles a week and was in the gym five days a week. He was 43 years old. He fought the good fight every single day for 5 years and one month and gave God the glory for every second. In those 5 years, we LIVED and LOVED hard. On September 6, 2022, at the age of 48 he won his battle with cancer when he met Jesus face to face and was completely healed.

Mindy Zeringue

Duane Hagerty

My brother Duane was diagnosed with kidney cancer in March of 2024. He had surgery to remove his left kidney in April 2024. After the surgery, his biopsy revealed he had clear cell renal carcinoma, which had metastasized to his liver and chest lymph nodes. He started immunotherapy treatments after he had healed from the surgery. In the fall of 2024, he was switched to the second tier of treatment medication because the immunotherapy wasn’t working. It had stabilized the liver tumors but not the chest tumors. His main symptom through all of this was a persistent cough. He started having persistent fevers in the late summer/fall of 2024. These became unbearable. His doctors could not find anything that would relieve these symptoms. At his final oncology appointment in December 2024, he was admitted through the ER and into ICU, where he was told he had weeks, not months, to live. He was discharged and entered into hospice at my parents home on December 20th, 2024. He really wanted to make it through Christmas. He was able to do that and was in good spirits through Christmas day. He became more and more non-responsive after Christmas. He passed away on December 28th, with his parents, siblings and aunt and our wonderful hospice nurse by his bedside. I’m his sister Gina. The oldest sibling. He was next in age. We were very close through our whole life. We supported each other through highs and lows. I was by his side through this journey. He was so brave and kept a positive attitude until the end. He made it a point to connect with people he was close with during his final months. We spent time together as a family and made great memories during his last year. I’m so proud of him and what he accomplished during his life. He was CEO of a Historic Preservation non-profit and aided in rescuing many beautiful buildings in our area. He leaves that legacy behind. I loved him so much. He was my first friend. He is sorely missed but will remain in my memories forever.

Kim Coble

My family and friends supporting me in my journey. #noonefightsalone

John Balch

My fiancé was diagnosed with stage IV RCC in May 2013. He fought this awful disease for almost 10 years before he passed in November 2022. He is greatly missed, but I was honored to be by his side fighting along with him from the day he was diagnosed until the day he became my Angel.

James Colvard

My Father, James Colvard fought 9 years and ended his battle with kidney Cancer 1/23/2023. He was the most amazing father,Grandfather and husband. He served 20 wonderful years in the Air force and he loved life and The Lord he gave back to anything his could. He wad also the biggest Alabama fan to cross this earth. He is so missed.

Brad Edstrom

My husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer in his only kidney. He had one removed at age 12 due to it not functioning properly. The mass was so large that the initial urologist wanted to remove the kidney which would have resulted in immediate dialysis. Our oncology team thought more broadly and administered oral chemotherapy for 6 months and then a different urologist removed the 13cm mass along with part of the kidney that was also attached to the ureter.
He has an almost normal functioning kidney, is not on dialysis, and cancer has not been found on any follow up scans so far 3 yrs later. At the time of surgery the mass was also attached to the ureter and created scar tissue and stricture. This requires an every 3 month stent exchange.
He is so strong and resilient to all of the ups and downs his cancer journey has brought him. Some of the complications have resulted in 140 overnights in the hospital the first 2 years.
He has been positive throughout all of it.
He is a walking wonder and reminder that each day can be better and to continue fighting and advocating for the best care.
We are appreciative of the team that thought about thinking out of the box of traditional guidelines to give him a fighting chance to avoid dialysis.

Ginny Herane

I orange up for me! Renal Cell Carcinoma Clear Cell, misdiagnosed because I didn’t fit the “normal criteria”. It’s been 5 years since my nephrectomy and I have been blessed at every scan to be clear. I’m a mom, daughter, wife, friend, nurse, and survivor who wants to be awareness to Kidney Cancer!!!