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UC Davis Cancer Center

Cancer Survivor Stories

With their stories of strength, hope and courage, cancer survivors offer inspiration to one another, to their friends and families, and to the doctors and nurses who care for them. Here are some of these stories, shared by patients who have been treated at UC Davis Cancer Center and take part in UC Davis Cancer Center programs.

Matthew Joel Brooks — A better nurse today

In January 2008, Matthew Joel Brooks noticed a small bump on his left testicle. It was firm, it didn’t hurt and it wouldn’t move. Most importantly, he knew it hadn’t been there before. He went to his doctor, who ordered an ultrasound. It was in the middle of the procedure that Brooks, a 31-year-old registered nurse at UC Davis, knew he was in trouble. Read this survivor's story. 

Francesca Arnaudo — "Miracle girl"

Francesca Arnaudo was 6 years old when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Not long after her successful treatment for that cancer, she developed acute myeloid leukemia. Today there is no sign of the original bone cancer. And her leukemia remains in remission. Read this young survivor's story.

Dina Howard — Finding meaning in illness

Nothing prepared Dina Howard, then 39 and the mother of two young children, for the turn her life took in the fall of 2005 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. To find meaning in her illness, she recorded a radio documentary of her treatment and recovery. Read her story and listen to a special update she recorded for UC Davis Cancer Center. Read this survivor's story.

Jim Otto — Football legend tackles a new opponent

Jim Otto personifies the term "survivor." A member of the original Oakland Raiders of 1960, Otto played in 210 consecutive games, 308 all told, over a legendary career that took him to the Hall of Fame. Now 66, Otto is tackling one of the most formidable opponents he has ever encountered: prostate cancer. Read this survivor's story.

Maxine Richey — Enjoying travel, grandchildren

Maxine Richey, a four-year lung cancer survivor, is a retired environmental scientist, world traveler, college student, mother of five, grandmother of seven, avid theater-goer and art lover. Read this survivor's first-person story. Read more lung cancer survivors' stories.

Lea Spencer — "We can't learn from each other if we don't share"

Lea Spencer was diagnosed with acute non lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 36. Fighting for a chance to see her son, then 16, graduate from high school, and her daughter, 10 begin middle school, the Sacramento woman sought out a clinical trial at UC Davis Cancer Center. Now in her 50s, Spencer not only has watched both her son and daughter graduate from high school and attend college, she also has welcomed four grandchildren into the family. Read this survivor's story.

Pam Whitehead — "Cancer brought me to who I am today"

Pam Whitehead was 35 years old when she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. In the years since, the Sacramento architect has become an active volunteer with the Lance Armstrong Foundation. She recently won a $5,000 award from the foundation that allowed her to start a fitness program for cancer survivors at UC Davis Cancer Center. Read this survivor's first-person story.