Anne Williams and her husband, Bob, travel three hours from their home in Oshawa, Ontario, to Buffalo every week. Their favorite stops are Wegmans supermarkets and the Galleria Mall, but the reason they come is not to go shopping; it’s for the life-saving treatment Anne receives for advanced colorectal cancer at Roswell Park.

At the Roswell Park Amherst Center, Anne receives a potent new therapy combining Erbitux with Irinotecan, which studies have shown can produce major shrinkage in tumors for 20% of patients.

“I feel blessed. My oncologist in Ontario recommended the new treatment as soon as it became available in the United States,” Anne says. “The process to allow treatment in the States between the Ontario Ministry of Health and Roswell Park has been seamless.”

At Roswell Park, patients often benefit from new therapies before they become available elsewhere. A new genetic test makes it possible to identify patients who can benefit most, sparing others the cost and potential side effects of a therapy that is unlikely to help them.

“My quality of life has been excellent. I haven’t been sick and my energy level is good.” Anne continues. “I have gotten to know the Amherst Center nurses and medical staff well, and they are phenomenal. I can’t say enough about the care I have received there.” Anne adds, “Bob and I have fallen in love with the wonderful people in Buffalo. They are so friendly and helpful. Western New York is truly a great place.”

Anne’s faith in God enables her to live each day to the fullest and maintain her positive outlook. She and Bob will continue to make the trip to Roswell Park as long as the treatments keep her cancer in check.

“As well as being a terrific husband, Bob has been a source of strength, comfort and my main support throughout this cancer journey. I don’t know where I would be without him,” Anne said.

Anne’s message of hope for the holidays: “Rely on friends and family. They want to be there for you. Seek out the best treatment, wherever it may be. It can extend or save your life. Live in the moment with as much hope as you can find.”