Holly

In 2011, I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. While no one ever wants to hear that they have cancer, I’m glad my doctors caught it when they did because my timely diagnosis gave me a fighting chance. Battling that bout of colon cancer was one of the most daunting challenges of my whole life, but I persevered with the support of my family and an amazing team of doctors.

Thanks to months of treatment, my doctors finally declared I had no evidence of disease, and for seven years I was relieved that I was still without any signs of reoccurrence. That is, until last December.

After going in for a routine scan, my doctors discovered my worst nightmare: another tumor. To confirm, I underwent a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test, a CAT scan, and a PET scan.

I immediately received radiation and chemotherapy to treat the tumor, which is currently inactive. To this day, I am still receiving IV infusions and regular scans to track my progress. Relieved by my recovery, I am forever thankful for having gotten the right scans at the right time.

My experience with cancer has taught me how important it is to be an advocate, not just for yourself, but for others afflicted with this terrible disease. Having beat back the beast, I feel stronger and more confident that I can help expand access to treatments for patients like me. I was proud to tell my story on Capitol Hill to help fight for policies that keep medical imaging technologies innovative and accessible for all.