Survivor Stories

It started as an itch. Thinking it was just dry skin, I began applying lotion more often. There was no redness or swelling, yet the itching intensified with every passing day. I itched everywhere – my arms, my legs, my hands, my feet, my chest. It would wake me in the middle of the night,…

Heidi Rhea is a long-term survivor. She was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma almost 10 years ago. Heidi has always been a cancer advocate, especially with her family history of Lynch syndrome. Heidi is extremely passionate about her advocacy work. She talks about cholangiocarcinoma at every opportunity. Heidi has been a Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation ambassador at health fairs,…

Working out was something of a side-hustle for me the last three years. I used it as motivation to quit smoking and set the stage for the next chapter of my life. With two daughters in college that were not too far off-major milestones and such. Despite that vice, I maintained a fairly healthy lifestyle…

My name is Jacqueline O’Brien, and I am blessed with a wonderful husband, Sean, and our close-knit family here in New York City. My son Matt and his wife, Corrina, added to the richness of our life with the birth of my first grandchild, Millicent Rae, in May. Next May, my son, Danny, will be…

Hello. I’m Matt Reidy. I live in Richmond, VA. I’m a retired IT executive. I’m also married with four children, now age 12 through 25. I enjoy woodworking, sailing, and water sports. MY STORY I was diagnosed in December 2013 with stage II perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. I was devastated at diagnosis when I learned there is…

MY STORY I am a patient and an advocate, but first, I am a mother to three amazing sons. I live in the Pacific Northwest on a remote island in the San Juan archipelago. It is only accessible by boat or plane, and it does not have any traffic lights. The rush-hour consists of ranchers…

Hi, my name is Arlene Dworetsky. I’m from Glastonbury, CT, originally from Hartford, CT. I’m a retired public elementary school teacher with more than 30 years of teaching experience. Currently, I’m a reading/math tutor for a public 3rd-5th grade elementary school in my area. I have a husband, two sons, and a beautiful baby grandson.…