Cancer as a catalyst

A cancer diagnosis is a terrifying, life-altering event. Here are seven people who were inspired by their experience to do something special:

Beverly Tiffany

Westwood, 54, retired healthcare lawyer.

Diagnosed with: Primary lymphoma of the humerus, upper arm bone. After six rounds of chemotherapy spaced over 18 weeks followed by five weeks of daily radiation, she’s been cancer-free since 2002.

What cancer inspired her to do: Tiffany had a degree in social work before becoming an attorney, and knew after her diagnosis and treatment that she wanted to get back to that kind of work. She now volunteers at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai. “I knew I wanted to work with cancer patients,” she says. “My job description is to provide emotional support. I chitchat.” She rotates from the chemotherapy infusion room to the radiation treatment waiting room to private rooms. She listens to patients and, when appropriate, tells them how it was for her. “I thought I would never feel carefree again. It took a few years, but I have that carefree feeling back.” Some conversations last a minute. Some last an hour. “Every time I leave, I feel like a million bucks.”

-- Susan Brink