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

(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 10:11 AM PT

A cancer diagnosis is a terrifying, life-altering event. Here, in this gallery, we profile seven people who were inspired by their experience to do something special.

Judi Kaufman: founded nonprofit to help other patients
Beverly Hills, 64, community activist and retired business owner.

Diagnosed with: Brain cancer 15 years ago. Had a recurrence and second surgery in 2002 and a third recurrence this year.

What cancer inspired her to do: Kaufman describes herself as a creative person and lifelong caregiver. But after learning she had cancer, she felt a wave of insecurity over her identity. She worried about the loss of certain cognitive abilities due to the surgery; whether she would ever be creative again; whether she had become a burden to her family. Kaufman’s solution to her problem was to help others. Art of the Brain, a nonprofit organization she founded at UCLA, pairs brain cancer patients with former patients or others who can serve as mentors. One of its programs, “Brain Buddies,” provides patients with support, information, friendship and a hopeful new destiny. “These men and women are intuitive and have insight,” Kaufman says of the program’s volunteers. “They just know what to do.” For more information, e-mail Judi@JudiKaufman.com.

-- Shari Roan

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Julie Davey: advocates healing through writing
Duarte, 66, writer, teacher, retired college professor.

Diagnosed with: Breast cancer in 1986 and 1996; cancer-free since then.

What cancer inspired her to do: Davey, who has an extensive background in writing, editing and teaching, began offering writing workshops for cancer patients, caregivers, family members and health professionals about seven years ago, when her cancer diagnosis and the events of Sept. 11 inspired her to help others. The author of “Writing for Wellness: A Prescription for Healing,” she says she wanted to provide a setting for participants to write about “their “entire life, not just the cancer part. How their priorities have changed . . . how they might be more grateful for life.” For more, go to www.writingforwellness.net, or e-mail jdavey@fullcoll.edu.

-- Jeannine Stein

(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Joseph Rick: hopes to inspire others with autobiography
Los Angeles, 47, finance manager and psychology teacher.

Diagnosed with: Stage 4 melanoma, 2002. Surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation. Cancer undetectable since 2004.

What cancer inspired him to do: When Rick looks at his cellphone and computer he sees the words of Winston Churchill: “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never give in. . . .” The resilience Rick found through his cancer ordeal is a subject he’s exploring in a book he is writing about his life. The manuscript is more than catharsis: Rick hopes it will help other survivors of illness, loss and trauma. That’s also the population Rick hopes to help as a clinical psychologist. Having satisfied more than half the requirements to sit for a state license, he’s now pondering a doctoral degree in psychology and a clinical practice.

-- Melissa Healy

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Candace Brady: an advocate for patients and research
Chatsworth, 55, a retired LAPD police captain and attorney.

Diagnosed with: Stage 2b breast cancer, in 1998. Had surgery, radiation and extensive chemotherapy, still has annual check-ups with her oncologist.

What cancer inspired her to do: At the time of her diagnosis, “I had just been promoted to captain and was a workaholic,” she says. “But after getting cancer. . . your priorities change.” Driven to investigate the disease that was threatening her life, she absorbed book after book on the topic and attended scientific seminars, conferences and courses. She’s given talks to medical professionals, sat on review boards helping assess grant proposals for cancer research at USC and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She frequently talks with women who are newly diagnosed, sometimes attending doctors’ appointments with them or helping to decipher their pathology reports. “Cancer is a very cruel experience,” she says. “It’s helpful to have somebody nearby who can guide you.”

-- Rosie Mestel

(Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)

Kate Schmidt: wellness through strength training
Los Angeles, 54, personal trainer specializing in rehab.

Diagnosed with: Stage 1-C ovarian cancer, 1995. In remission for 10 years.

What cancer inspired her to do: This former Olympic javelin thrower turned the knowledge she gained from her own cancer recovery and 20 years of sobriety into helping others going through similar ordeals. “I know about sharing one’s experience and hope and the power and healing that come with that,” she says. She’s been teaching strength training classes at the Wellness Community in Santa Monica for four years, emphasizing functional fitness to help people get back to living a normal life. Classes are also safe havens to discuss issues, as well as places to banter and laugh. “I knew I was supposed to do this,” she says. “I also selfishly knew how much I would get out of it.” For more information on Schmidt’s classes, go to www.twc-wla.org.

-- Jeannine Stein

(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Mike Dubron: created a cancer support network
Santa Clarita, 45, a firefighter paramedic with the air operations section, L.A. County Fire Department.

Diagnosed with: Colorectal cancer, in 2003, surgically removed. Dubron just passed his five-year mark cancer-free.

What cancer inspired him to do: Dubron says he drew immense strength from firefighters he knew who’d had cancer. “I thought: How lucky I am to be able to walk through this difficult part of my life and know guys who can provide assistance and answer questions and be there to help.” That spurred him to create the nationwide Firefighter Cancer Support Network, which, among other services, matches firefighters diagnosed with cancer (as well as retired firefighters and family members) with mentors. “We have a very, very prominent alpha-mentality in the fire department,” Dubron says. “We’re usually in the position of taking care of whatever emergency we’re called to. When you’re diagnosed with cancer, you find out you’re no longer in control -- it’s some pretty new territory.” www.firefightercancersupport.org

-- Rosie Mestel

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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