Patient Stories

Michael B. Lawing is a 20 year survivor of kidney cancer and a passionate patient advocate for others.  In addition to his many roles in the cancer community, he is co-chair of the Patient Advisory Board for KCCure. We're grateful for his service. This is his story.

Laura Loughlin is a stage 4 survivor of renal cell carcinoma. Following a nephrectomy and radiation to her thyroid, she's now under regular surveillance for her kidney cancer. This is her story.

Adam Stern, MD, is a psychiatrist and director of psychiatric applications at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He shares his unique story as a physician, about what it's like to go from being in good health to living with kidney cancer. 

In honor of International Women's Day, today's Voice of Kidney Cancer is Katherine Canupp. Read her beautiful tribute to her mother Pattie Canupp who inspired her to pursue a career in oncology research. 

Christine Farrell-LePage is a long-term survivor of stage 3 translocation Xp11.2 Renal Cell Carcinoma, a rare subtype of kidney cancer that is more frequently seen in pediatric cases, but is rising in incidence in adults. This is her story.

On April 19, 2012, Herman Connor was diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer, renal medullary carcinoma.  Herman's story is a reminder that regardless of the prognosis, there is always hope.  Below is his story told by his sister Cora, who is one of the world's leading advocates for RMC research and awareness.

Barb Hondros is a stage 4 kidney cancer patient and blogger.  Her words capture how so many kidney cancer patients feel. To read more from Barb, follow her blog: Love Me Some Cancer...Not. 

Michael Staehler is a urological oncologist at the University of Munich. He shares his unique perspective on the use of partial nephrectomy and why it's so important to how he treats kidney cancer patients.

Loraly Knopp is a stage 4 kidney cancer survivor.  She shares with us the anxiety and fear that often occurs for patients when they're faced with treatment related decisions. This is her story.  

Shaun Tierney is a long-term stage 4 kidney cancer survivor. At diagnosis, he was given little hope, but he's now been on active therapy for eleven years. This is his story.

Megan Smith, head softball coach for the KU Jayhawks, shares the moving story of losing her husband to sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma. This is her story.