Here for You
Our compassionate support staff offers well-rounded services for your body, mind and spirit.
Success Stories from Cancer Patients
Meet our patients as they share their stories of success with cancer treatment. Be inspired by their messages of hope for those who are just beginning their cancer journey.
Prostate Cancer Survivor
Dave Carter
"Routine PSA screening are vital, because prostate cancer is a silent killer, he said. “Nothing indicated to me that I had a prostate problem…don’t assume that because you’re 27 or 37 or a weightlifter or a marathon runner that it can’t happen to you."
Lung Cancer Survivor
Greg Corbin
“It’s done in under 15 minutes, and you keep your clothing on. There’s nothing invasive or uncomfortable about it. I could fall asleep during a scan!”
Lung Cancer Survivor
Mike Gates
“Just follow the steps: When you get your physical, if you feel any issues, ask for some tests. Your doctor will be happy to do it. ”
Colon Cancer Survivor
Waylon Kostrzewski
“This has been a life-changing experience. You don’t get to experience that one-on-one care that I received very often.”
Breast Cancer Survivor
Heather Steffenson
“People ask me all the time how I got through it. I tell them you have to have an absolutely tremendous support team, and I did.”
Prostate Cancer Survivor
Bob Reemts
“My care team was excellent, and all three providers collaborated on my treatment plan.”
Breast Cancer Survivor
Dianne Munroe
“They have great care, great people, and great follow-up. They just do an excellent job.”
Colon Cancer Survivor
Dr. Chris Eugenio
“If you have a history of colon cancer in your family, do it early. Start at 40. I’ve been telling all my friends, if you haven’t had one, please go get one.”
Colon Cancer Survivor
Joe Goode
“The process is easy. You’re very comfortable and relaxed, then you wake up and get your results. You just have to take a day off from work, and that day off can save your life.”
Lung Cancer Survivor
John Thompson
“I feel as good as I ever did. The scars [from surgery] were small, and now I can’t see them at all. I trusted the doctors and they did a great job.”
Lung Cancer Survivor
Rebecca Carreto
Dr. Templin was very reassuring, very confident and organized. “He told me 'we’re going to take good care of you.' And that’s exactly what they did."
Colon Cancer Survivor
Valerie Schock
“I was fortunate to have excellent care from three female providers. I knew I wanted to put my health in the hands of the Franciscan providers.”
Prostate Cancer Survivors
Scott Vanderflute and Kelly Bolender
Dr. Willis is a brilliant surgeon, but perhaps more important is how deeply he cares,” said Kelly. “He treated me like a good friend. He’s caring and easy to talk to, and his goal was 100 percent recovery. His belief in me and my recovery helped me believe.
Breast Cancer Survivor
Yvette Fosberg
I just want people to know that you have to get your mammogram, even if you don’t have any signs. If it hadn’t been for the mammogram I would never have had a clue that something was going on.
Lung Cancer Survivor
Kathy Calvert
Kathy considers herself “one of the lucky ones!” And you won’t find a more positive and energetic person. Today, she is grateful for the excellent care she received and is a proponent of lung cancer screening for those who really need it.
Testicular Cancer Survivor
Ronn Goodnough
“I want the community to feel that we’re providing them with a respectful and thoughtful experience of healthcare,” he says. “I want people to feel like we’re thinking of them as they experience life and all that it comes with.”
Breast Cancer Survivor
Shannon Wulick
Shannon’s tumors were treated and shrank significantly as a result of her chemotherapy, and she had surgery in late July, followed by radiation to remove any residual tumors.
Lung Cancer Survivor
Peter Newcomb
Peter received successful surgical and chemo treatment, right away. “It was the best care and the nicest staff possible,” he says.
Breast Cancer Survivor
Linda Fortune
Dealing with this type of issue isn’t fun, and the whole team worked together and treated me like I was important. They did a great job with me.
Colon Cancer Survivor
Alan Roberts
When God or your body gives you a sign, you pay attention — even if it’s from a softball.
Colon Cancer Survivor
Sara
Sara’s prognosis depended on swift multidisciplinary intervention.
Prostate Survivor
Bill Szpor
Dr. Arroyo spent time with my wife and I, and he talked to us about everything.
Breast Cancer Survivor
Joleen LaMay
The crew in that office is absolutely amazing,” Joleen says. “They look after you. They care for you. They are kind-hearted and warm.
Breast Cancer Survivor
Gretchen and Dan
If you have to go through chemo, I would rate the experience at the cancer center very highly.
Breast Cancer Survivor
Diane
He was sensitive to the issues and addressed any questions or concerns that we had and he took the time to make sure we understood the answers.
Breast Cancer Survivor
Kerie
Dr. Blau is brilliant but she doesn’t talk like an academic. She uses laymen terms so you understand everything.
Breast Cancer Survivor
Maggie
Her capacity for compassion, and at the same time getting right to the point, is pretty amazing.
Breast Cancer Survivor
Eileen
They were talking to both of us from a very humanistic and holistic perspective.
Breast Cancer Survivor
Heidi
I trusted the doctors, they knew what they were doing and they attacked the problem.
Lung Cancer Survivor
Ken Beckham
Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013
Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Pulmonary Consultants, Northwest Medical Specialties
Breast Cancer Survivor
Brenda Branchflower
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012
Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Northwest Medical Specialties
Prostate Cancer Survivor
Carl Carver
Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010
Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Tacoma Valley Radiation Oncology, Virginia Mason
Throat Cancer Survivor
Bill Garl
Diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2012
Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Northwest Medical Specialties, Tacoma Valley Radiation Oncology
Testicular Cancer Survivor
Kevin
I needed to keep moving, keep working and keep living. They helped me to do that.
Skin Cancer Survivor
Jo Jacobson
Diagnosed with melanoma in 2011
Treatment team: Jane Thompson Russell Cancer Care Center, Northwest Medical Specialties
Breast Cancer Survivor
Carol Nickelson
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009
Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Northwest Medical Specialties
Breast Cancer Survivor
Annmarie Powers-Vance
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012
Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Virginia Mason
Colon Cancer Survivor
Connie Shirk
Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2012
Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Northwest Medical Specialties
Prostate Cancer Survivor
Chris Smith
Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011
Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center
Prostate Cancer Survivor
George
Dr. Mastras comes across as very human, very down to earth, and has a great sense of humor.
Testicular Cancer Survivor
Leo Hastings
After I met Dr. Johnston I felt confident that I was in good hands, he seemed to know and understand what he was talking about, and he didn’t talk around corners.