Making Cures Possible: Meet Cheryl Stratos
The National Foundation for Cancer Research proudly welcomes cancer survivor and patient advocate Cheryl Stratos as a community ambassador!
Cheryl was treated for cancer from 2009-2016. Since her remission, she now works as a Patient Advocate, helping others who have been diagnosed with cancer to understand the options available to them. She also shares information about melanoma and her journey with cancer on her the website she calls her survival guide, FightingMelanoma.com.
Cheryl’s Story
When Cheryl was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma in 2009, doctors were reluctant to offer her treatment. The treatment available to her only had a success rate of 4%. Cheryl felt like she had been given a death sentence, but she wasn’t ready to give up on herself.
While seeking a second opinion, she learned of an experimental treatment coming to clinical trials soon. After visiting multiple medical institutions to find out where she could fit into a trial for PLX4032, she entered a Phase I Clinical Trial at UCLA. She opted for the maximum dosage available—an aggressive treatment for an aggressive diagnosis.
Cheryl’s determination to get treatment paid off. Initially, she was given 6 months to live, and now she is thriving for 15 years and counting! “I gotta tell you, trying to get treated was really hard. I was [calling hospitals directly] to save my life, basically,” confesses Cheryl.
Cheryl’s experience represents how much the cancer community has advanced in less than 20 years. Now, we have better access to information than Cheryl did at the start of her treatment, and institutions are better connected to share strategies that are working to save patients’ lives.
Her story is a powerful reminder that every breakthrough brings us closer to saving more lives. Please join us in welcoming Cheryl to the NFCR community ambassador team!
NFCR’s Community Ambassadors
NFCR’s Community Ambassador network is represented by individuals who share our belief that cancer is a disease that can be cured and who want to take an active role in being a part of the cure. NFCR relies on our community ambassadors to share their voices to remind the public about the challenges we still face with cancer and help promote our cancer research efforts to overcome these challenges together.
If you want to become a community ambassador with NFCR, please share your story with us!